Octave Chanute Award
Encyclopedia
This award was created in early 1902 by the Western Society of Engineers
for papers of merit on engineering innovations. It is still awarded as of 2011. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.
(AIAA) introduced the "Chanute Flight Award" in 1939; it was presented for an outstanding contribution made by a pilot or test personnel to the advancement of the art, science, and technology of aeronautics. This award was discontinued in 2005.
, 1832–1910, was born in France and became a naturalized American. He was a self-taught engineer. He designed the first railroad
bridge over the Missouri River and the Union Stock Yards
in Chicago (IL) as well as those in Kansas City (MO). Octave Chanute was a pioneer aeronautical engineer and experimenter, and was a friend and adviser to the Wright Brothers.
The former Chanute AFB in Illinois was named in honor of him, and so was the town of Chanute, KS
Western Society of Engineers
The Western Society of Engineers is a professional and educational organization founded in Chicago, U.S. on May 25, 1869 as the Civil Engineers' Club of the Northwest. In 1880 the club was incorporated as the Western Society of Engineers. The organization is devoted to the development of...
for papers of merit on engineering innovations. It is still awarded as of 2011. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is the professional society for the field of aerospace engineering. The AIAA was founded in 1963 from the merger of two earlier societies: the American Rocket Society , founded in 1930 as the American Interplanetary Society , and the Institute...
(AIAA) introduced the "Chanute Flight Award" in 1939; it was presented for an outstanding contribution made by a pilot or test personnel to the advancement of the art, science, and technology of aeronautics. This award was discontinued in 2005.
Self taught
Octave ChanuteOctave Chanute
Octave Chanute was a French-born American railway engineer and aviation pioneer. He provided the Wright brothers with help and advice, and helped to publicize their flying experiments. At his death he was hailed as the father of aviation and the heavier-than-air flying machine...
, 1832–1910, was born in France and became a naturalized American. He was a self-taught engineer. He designed the first railroad
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
bridge over the Missouri River and the Union Stock Yards
Union Stock Yards
The Union Stock Yard & Transit Co., or The Yards, was the meat packing district in Chicago for over a century starting in 1865. The district was operated by a group of railroad companies that acquired swampland, and turned it to a centralized processing area...
in Chicago (IL) as well as those in Kansas City (MO). Octave Chanute was a pioneer aeronautical engineer and experimenter, and was a friend and adviser to the Wright Brothers.
Aeronautical pioneer
Chanute waged a long campaign to encourage the invention of the airplane. He collected information from every possible source and gave it to anyone who asked. He published a compendium of aviation information in 1894. In 1896 he commissioned several aircraft to be built. The Katydid had multiple wings that could be attached variously about the fuselage for ease of experimentation. Chanute's biplane glider (1896) with "two arched wings held rigidly together by vertical struts and diagonal wire bracing" (the principle of the Pratt truss used in the railroad bridges which Chanute constructed) served as a prototype design for subsequent airplanes.Recognition
He is universally recognized as a prominent engineer, experimenter, writer and communicator, which is why these two award were given his name.The former Chanute AFB in Illinois was named in honor of him, and so was the town of Chanute, KS
Some Chanute Flight Award Recipients
- 1940 Howard HughesHoward HughesHoward Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
, Engineer, Pilot - 1955 Albert BoydAlbert BoydAlbert Boyd was a pioneering test pilot for the United States Air Force. During his 30 year career, he logged over 23,000 hours of flight time, flying an astounding 723 military aircraft...
, pioneering test pilot - 1957 Frank Kendall Everest, JrFrank Kendall Everest, JrBrigadier General Frank Kendall "Pete" Everest Jr. was a U.S. Air Force officer who is best remembered as an aeroengineer and test pilot during the 1950s.-Early years:...
, test pilot - 1967 Milton O. ThompsonMilton O. ThompsonMilton Orville Thompson was a NASA research pilot who was selected as an astronaut for the United States Air Force X-20 Dyna-Soar program in April 1960. After the Dyna-Soar program was cancelled on 10 December 1963, he remained a NASA research pilot, and went on to fly the X-15 rocket plane...
, NASA Director of Research - 1968 William J. KnightWilliam J. KnightWilliam J. "Pete" Knight was a U.S. politician, combat pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. Knight holds the world's speed record for flight in a winged, powered aircraft...
, Test pilot, Astronaut, Record setter - 1954 Albert Scott CrossfieldAlbert Scott CrossfieldAlbert Scott Crossfield was an American naval officer and test pilot.-Biography:Born in Berkeley, California, Crossfield grew up in California and Washington. He served with the U.S. Navy as a flight instructor and fighter pilot during World War II...
, Test pilot, Astronaut - 1957 Brig. Gen. Frank Kendall "Pete" Everest, Jr., USAF
- 1962 Neil Alden Armstrong, Astronaut
- John Leonard (Jack) Swigert, Jr.Jack SwigertHe later became staff director of the Committee on Science and Technology of the U.S. House of Representatives.Swigert was elected as a Republican to Colorado's newly created 6th congressional district in November 1982. He defeated Democrat Steve Hogan, 98,909 votes to 56,518...
Astronaut (Apollo 13 crewman) - Charles N Haas, Environmental Engineer
- 1965 Alvin S. WhiteAlvin S. WhiteAlvin Swauger White was an American test pilot, engineer, and a USAF astronaut. He flew the maiden flights of both XB-70 Valkyrie aircraft, the first 2,000 mph flight, and all subsequent Mach 3 flights.-Biography:...
, Test pilot - 1949 VADM Frederick M. TrapnellFrederick M. TrapnellFrederick Mackay "Fred" Trapnell was a United States Navy admiral and aviation pioneer. Trapnell was the first Navy pilot to fly a jet aircraft, was considered the best, most experienced naval test aviator of his generation, co-founded the branch's first test pilot school, and played a pivotal...
, pioneering naval aviator and test pilot - 1960 Joseph John "Tym" TymczyszynJoseph John "Tym" TymczyszynJoseph John "Tym" Tymczyszyn was an American Test Pilot for the United States Army Air Corps and the Federal Aviation Administration.-Early life:...
, Test Pilot - 1986 George Jansen
External links
- Western Society of Engineers
- Octave Chanute—A champion of aviation
- Locomotive to Aeromotive – Octave Chanute and the Transportation Revolution, by Simine Short. University of Illinois Press (August 2011)