1984 James H. Lincoln

This year the annual Kelly Johnson Award for outstanding achievement in the Flight Test engineering discipline is awarded to Mr. James H. Lincoln of the Flight Test Engineering Organization, Boeing Commercial Airplane Company. Jim is recognized for his contribution to flight test management, communication, and computing technology. He is deserving of this award for his outstanding contribution to the successful and timely certification of the Boeing 757 and 767, as well as for his lifetime contribution to flight testing technology.

Jim joined the Boeing Company in 1952. He has served in varying capacities in Flight Test operations and data analysis on military and commercial airplanes. He has taken increasing leadership In advancing the technology of data recording, analysis, and computing systems from oscillograph and photorecorders to high-speed digital data systems, onboard data analysis, and interactive computing systems unequalled in the industry.

Since 1965, he has been Manager of the Data Section of the Boeing Flight Test organization and has been responsible for the development of new recording and computing techniques to keep pace with airplane and avionics technologies. During the 747 test programs, Jim managed the development of an on-line, onboard computing system to enhance flight crew test visibility and efficiency. That system has grown into an integral part of the Flight Test computing system and is now in its third generation development.

In the late 1970's, Jim initiated a study of Flight Test computing methods and was appointed manager of the resulting Flight Test computing system redevelopment. After successfully guiding the project to a timely completion for the 757 and 767 programs, he has continued to manage and expand the system to meet the needs of the largest high technology airplane, the 737-300, for test evaluation and management visibility. In 1982, he received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Boeing Flight Operations Management for his dedicated efforts and achievements.

Jim assisted in promoting the original SFTE organizational efforts. He was awarded the SFTE Achievement Award for his "Contribution to Good Humor" for his production "Everything You Wanted to Know About Flight Test, But Were Afraid to Ask." Jim is well known for his skills in communication and the "human factor" technologies associated with flight testing, and has successfully demonstrated his abilities as an outstanding engineer, manager, and communicator throughout a long and illustrious career in flight test engineering.