The Robert J. Collier Trophy is owned and administered by the National Aeronautic Association and is awarded annually "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."
The four nominations were:
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
C-5M Super Galaxy
The Gamera Human-Powered Helicopter
Taurus G-4 Electric-Powered Aircraft
On February 2, 2012, the National Aeronautic Association announced the nominations as well as the Selection Committee.
The Selection Committee consisted of:
Walter Boyne, Chairman of the National Aeronautic Association and Chairman of the 2011 Collier Selection Committee
Dick Rutan, Collier Recipient (1986)
Joe Lombardo, Gulfstream Aerospace, Collier Recipient/Gulfstream V (2003)
The Honorable Bobby Sturgell, Rockwell Collins, Collier Recipient/ADSB (2008)
Jeff Pino, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Collier Recipient/X2 (2010)
Richard Aboulafia, The Teal Group
Monte Belger, Aero Club of Washington
The Honorable Marion Blakey, Aerospace Industries Association
Bob Blouin, Hawker Beechcraft
Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association
Pete Bunce, General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Steve Callaghan, National Aviation Club Committee of NAA
Steve Champness, Aero Club of Atlanta
David Coleal, Spirit AeroSystems
Brian Glackin, Cobham
Mathew Greene, Safe Flight Instrument
Leo Knaapen, Bombardier
John Langford, Aurora Flight Sciences
Dave Manke, United Technologies
Mary Miller, Signature Flight Support/BBA Aviation
Stan O’Conner, GE Aviation
Steve Plummer, Rolls Royce, North America
Skip Ringo, DRS
Bob Rubino, Lockheed Martin
Ed Scott, United States Parachute Association
Bob Stangarone, Embraer
Al Tyler, Soaring Society of America
Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen
Tony Velocci, Aviation Week and Space Technology
Bob Vilhaeur, Boeing
Diane White, Cessna Aircraft Company
Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of NAA, Director (Non-Voting Member)
Major Gen Wayne Schatz, Director - Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Lt. Colonel Craig Harmon, Commander, 9th Airlift Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
Ben Berry, PhD student, Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland
Joe Schmaus, PhD student, Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland
Dr. Jack Langelaan, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering, Penn State
Dr. Mark Maughmer, Professor, Aerospace Engineering, Penn State
Jim Albaugh, President and CEO, Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company
Scott Fancher, Vice President and General Manager, 787 Program
The Collier Selection Committee will meet on Monday, March 13, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia.
The Recipient will be announced on Tuesday, March 14.
