Awarded to a test pilot who has made an outstanding contribution in advancing the art and science of aviation.

 

2010 awarded to: EDWARD (ED) STRONGMAN

 

After graduating from Bristol University with a degree in electrical engineering, Ed joined the Royal Air Force and started his operational flying career in 1974 on the Hercules C130.He was selected for test pilot training in 1979 and after spending a year at the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB he worked for six years at the Royal Aircraft Establishment Bedford, latterly as Commanding Officer of the Test Squadron. During his time at Bedford he flew a wide range of transport and fighter aircraft and helicopters developing both military and civil systems.

In 1986 Ed joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as a certification test pilot and over the next nine years was involved in the approval of numerous jet and turboprop aircraft (including Airbus, Boeing, Dassault, Embraer, Cessna, CASA, Pilatus, Britten Norman, and Harbin).

In 1995 Ed moved to Airbus in Toulouse where he was appointed project pilot for the A330/A340 family. He was particularly involved in the development of the A340-600 and he made the first flight of this aircraft in 2000. He was also extensively involved in the flight-testing of the A380 and carried out many of the flight control system and handling qualities development flights.

However, Ed’s main focus over the last few years has been on military aircraft projects within Airbus, specifically the A400M tactical transport and tanker versions of the A310 and A330. As Airbus Chief Test Pilot for military aircraft and project pilot for the A400M since its inception, he has been the driving force behind all operational aspects of this aircraft, and particularly the aircraft handling qualities and the development of the cockpit. Whilst it has its roots in the well-established Airbus commercial airliner flight deck, the cockpit of the A400M required significant additions and modifications to adapt it to the variety of military roles which the aircraft will perform. Integration of tactical navigation displays, head-up displays, military communications systems, and capabilities for low-level flight and air dropping, all provided significant challenges during the design phase. 

As the design phase ended and first flight approached Ed was instrumental in preparing the flight-test campaign as well as participating in the early tests of the A400M engines on the C130 test bed. These preparations culminated in the successful first flight of the A400M in December 2009 with Ed at the controls as captain.

Throughout a long career in aviation, with over 30 years spent in flight test, Ed has made major contributions to many aircraft programs, both civil and military, and the fact that the A400M is now a reality is testament to both his commitment and vision.  Ed Strongman is accordingly awarded the Derry and Richards Memorial Medal.

Previous Winners

1953 Wing Commander J H Heyworth

1954 Wing Commander R Beamont

1955 L P Twiss Esq

1956 Sqn LdrJ S Fifield

1957 M Randrup Esq

1958 T W Brook-Smith Esq

1959 A W Bedford Esq

1960 M J Lithgow Esq

1961 E B Trubshaw Esq

1962 H C H Merewether Esq

1963 P Bugge Esq

1964 E B Trubshaw Esq

1965 J Cunningham Esq

1966 H C Rogers Esq

1967 D G Taylor Esq

1968 J L Dell Esq

1969 T P Frost Esq

1970 W Gellatley Esq

1971 Duncan Simpson Esq

1972 J Cochrane Esq

1973 W P I Fillingham Esq

1974 Not Awarded

1975 Gilbert Defer Esq

1976 T M S Ferguson Esq

1977 Not Awarded

1978 Paul Millett Esq

1979 John F Farley Esq

1980 David Eagles Esq

1981 Not Awarded

1982 H R Radford Esq

1983 ChristopherYeo Esq

1984 Jeremy Lee Esq AFC

1985 Roy Moxham Esq

1986 J A Robinson Esq

1987 H E Frick Esq

1988 Angus M McVitie Esq

1989 K P Orme Esq

1990 Not Awarded

1991 P A Sedgwick Esq

1992 C F Roberts Esq

1993 C W Hague Esq

1994 Not Awarded

1995 D L J Thomas Esq

1996 Graham Tomlinson Esq

1997 Jeremy P Tracy Esq

1998 Squadron Leader David R Southwood BSc AFC RAF

1999 Keith Hartley

2000 Derek Reeh

2001 Simon Hargreaves

2002 Gordon G (Jock) Reid FRAeS

2003 Paul Hopkins

2004 John Turner

2005 Not awarded

2006 Graham M Archer

2007 Peter Lawrence Chandler

2008 Iain Young MBE BSc FRAeS

2009 Graham Tomlinson

2010 Edward (Ed) Strongman