The medal is "awarded on recognition of an exceptional and innovative contribution to aviation." Sir Barnes Wallis was the renowned British aeronautical engineer whose brilliant concepts influenced a generation of aircraft designs, such as the R-100 Airship and the Wellington bomber, with its unique geodesic structural design. Perhaps the most famous of Wallis' achievements was the development of the "bouncing bomb" that was employed by the Royal Air Force on successful raids during World War II.
During Nick's 40 years of work in the US aerospace industry - more than 35 of those years with Sikorsky - he has made an immense contribution, as a test pilot and as an engineer. Nick has accrued over 7,500 flight hours in helicopters, including 2,500 in experimental or engineering test flying and has contributed both as an experimental test pilot and in a variety of engineering, project management and stategic management roles. He has been instrumental in identifying, developing and testing a wide variety of advanced technologies which, when introduced to company products, have contributed to the expansion of civil and military helicopter capabilities on an international scale.
Nick standing in front of the RAH-66 Comanche after a test flight.
"Needless to say, I am floored by this honor," said Nick. "While I am proud of the projects I have been lucky enough to have worked on. I believe this award is really for Sikorsky Aircraft and the hundreds of talented pilots and engineers that I've worked with over the years. The achievements they have pioneered have made Sikorsky the premier rotorcraft innovator in the industry. It has been my privilege to help carry on the legacy of our founder, Igor Sikorsky."
Nick joined the U.S. Army in 1968, training as a helicopter pilot on AH-1 Hueycobra and serving in Vietnam where he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He left the Army and after graduation with a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1973, joined Sikorsky as a Flight Test Engineer, before being appointed as Experimental Test Pilot.
S-76A in Flight
As a test pilot for Sikorsky, Nick had a number of important project development roles on CH-53, UH-60 Black Hawk, and RAH-66 Comanche platforms. However, his main development task was as Project Pilot for the S-76 civil helicopter. Nick carried out the first flight, led development and certification flying and was closely identified with this program throughout the world.
His combination of test pilot skills and engineering training allowed him to make a substantial contribution to a number of world-leading projects. These included Sikorsky's co-axial, rigid rotor, Advancing Blade Concept high speed aerodynamic research platform, the Shadow fly-by-wire flight control research program and the Fantail embedded fenestron rotor research project. His ground-breaking work on the theoretical understanding of helicopter maneuverability and agility led to the award of a Technical Fellowship from the American Helicopter Society.
Nick has amassed 17 patents for inventions in helicopter engineering, including advanced engine and flight controls offering greater flight safety in degraded visual flight conditions and high maneuvering states.
In 2005, Nick joined Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation where he served as Vice President of Government Programs and was responsible for the successful integration of advanced radar and sensor technology into the Gulfsream G-5 aircraft. He then joined Bell Helicopter in 2008, first as Senior VP of Research Development and Rapid Prototyping and later as Chief Technology Officer. Many of the advanced features of the Bell 525 Relentless medium helicopter were developed and proven during his tenure.
He returned to Sikorsky in 2011 as Senior Technical Fellow for Advanced Technology, identifying the advanced technologies essential to the development of new company products and capabilities. He is Chairman of the Vertical Lift Consortium, chartered to help the U.S. Department of Defense steer the development of the next generation of rotorcraft, known as the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative.
Nick Lappos with the Sikorsky Shadow. This cockpit is featured in the National Helicopter Museum. Congratulations, Nick!
About the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators:
The principal activities of GAPAN are centered on developing action and activities to ensure that aircraft are piloted and navigated safely by aviators who are highly competent, self-reliant, dependable and respected.
The Guild supports the education and training of pilots and navigators from the initial training of the young pilot to the specialist training of the highest levels. Through its charitable activities, education and training, technical committee work, aircrew selection, scholarships and sponsorships, advice and recognition of the achievements of fellow aviators worldwide, the Guild keeps itself at the forefront of the aviation world.