Ben T. Epps Aerospace Innovation Trophy
Ben T. Epps Aerospace Innovation Awards Presented Oct. 20 in Athens
The first Ben T. Epps Aerospace Innovation Trophies recognized the best and brightest in Georgia aviation October 20th in Athens. Awarded by Georgia's Aerospace Innovation Center (AIC), the three trophies recognize an inventor, an innovator and an educator, and are named to honor the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight by a Georgia resident.
In 1907 eighteen-year-old Benjamin Thomas Epps used a 15-horsepower motorcycle engine to power his plane with one elongated wing and three bicycle wheels and took flight over a cow pasture near Athens, Georgia, a century ago this year. The celebration held Saturday, which included the innovation awards ceremony, served as the culmination of events held across the state during 2007 to commemorate the occasion.
Consulting Aviation Services, Inc. in Kennesaw received the Outstanding Aerospace Invention of 2007 award for its Vortex Control Eaglets to prevent stall spin accidents. The Consulting Aviation Services Vortex Control Eaglets invention "is a major breakthrough, significantly improving the stall handling of light twin engine aircraft," according to Sean C. Roberts, director of the National Test Pilot School in California.
The Eaglets will have "a significant impact on the prevention of stall spin accidents," according to John Ralston, president of Bihrle Applied Research, Inc., a Hampton, VA firm which assesses aircraft stall and spin situations.
Col. Gary Breedlove, U. S. Air Force JROTC instructor at Bainbridge High School, received the Outstanding Aerospace Educator of 2007 award. Breedlove took the curriculum into the cockpit collaborating with Chapter 445 of the Experimental Aircraft Association to take 100 students into the air to help inspire possible careers as pilots, aircraft mechanics and weather forecasters, according to Rep. Gene Maddox from Cairo.
"He has taken the cadets one step further by stressing the importance of academic achievement, especially in math and science, in finding related opportunities in aerospace career fields.
"Clearly the use of similar efforts in other schools might increase motivation by our young people to connect their academics to specific career opportunities," said Col. Greg C. Winn, USAF (Ret) Maxwell AFB AL.
The Outstanding Aerospace Innovators award went to N-1 Gyro Depot Maintenance Line of the 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center for the development of an innovative process which eliminated back orders, reduced work in process inventories by 50 percent and is readily adapted to other operations.
Citing improved communication and collaboration coupled with increased production, Sandy Fox, director of the 848th Combat Sustainment Support Group, said the innovative process resulted in greatly improved customer support.
"These process improvements can be easily duplicated in other repair, manufacturing and production processes," said 1st Lt. Christopher Lundell at Robins Air Force Base. "They are flexible enough to allow for quick adaptation to a number of different products and processes."
"Georgia has become one of our nation's top ten employers in aerospace, a dynamic industry," said Nick Fuhrman, Executive Director of AIC. "Ben Epps' spirit of adventure and determination has inspired generations of inventors and innovators." Fuhrman continued saying, "AIC wanted to honor that spirit with these awards; it is something we plan to make an annual event."
The Aerospace Innovation Center fosters innovation and growth of existing companies and start-up ventures, emphasizing applied research and development, education and workforce development with company and capital development, according to Fuhrman.