1978 Robert Samuelson

ROBERT D. SAMUELSON

"KELLY" JOHNSON AWARD

The recipient of the "Kelly" Johnson Award for 1978, which signifies exceptional performance in meeting the challenges of Flight Test Engineering, is Bob Samuelson of McDonnell Aircraft Company. This award, we feel, represents the real essence of our society's charter; recognition of organizational, planning, direction and communications skills applied to the exciting arena of experimental flight test.

In singling out "Sam", we recognize the dedication and total commitment that characterized his role in the flight test program of the F-15 "Eagle". From program inception, he was responsible for the planning and conduct of all contractor test effort. Under his guidance, a highly visible program character evolved which retained the essential high degree of flexibility of action. Comfortable behind either the test director's microphone or a briefing vu-graph, Sam enjoyed a pivotal position in the unfolding of the F-15 Test Program that found him in the lead from the program structuring effort through the on-schedule operational execution phase. In the course of these efforts, Bob steered the development of an advanced data system with capacity and flexibility adequate to service a dynamic and tightly scheduled test program. Above all a practical manager, Sam showed that he was able to delegate while maintaining full control.

With McDonnell since 1954, a USAF veteran, and graduate of the Aero University of Chicago, Sam has contributed to the flight test programs of virtually all the company's products in that time span. Now Cl1ief Flight Test Engineer - Data Systems, he is responsible for the definition, implementation, processing and control of data systems for all present and future McDonnell Flight Test Projects.