2000 Frank W. Burcham
Frank W. Burcham was the 2000 Kelly Johnson Award recipient for outstanding achievement in the field of Flight Test Engineering.
The following is the original text from the award presented to Mr. Burcham:
"Kelly" Johnson Award
The winner of this year's "Kelly" Johnson Award for Excellence in Flight Test Engineering is Frank W. (Bill) Burcham, of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. During Mr. Burcham's 34 year career, his efforts were primarily focused on flight research and testing of new concepts in aircraft propulsion. He was a pioneer in the development of digital propulsion control systems and their integration with flight control systems. He helped prove flight research is a cost-effective way to accelerate the development of propulsion technology, and transition it into production.
Mr. Burcham's contributions greatly advanced the state-of-the-art in propulsion flight research and testing. Projects he led included the F-111E Integrated Propulsion Control System and the F-15 Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control programs, as well as many others. He did seminal research on the causal effect of dynamic inlet distortion in relation to engine compressor stalls as well. This work was instrumental in leading to the redesign of the F-111 inlets.
Ultimately, Bill's invention, the Propulsion Controlled Aircraft (PCA) concept, extended integrated propulsion control technology to a safety-of-fiight role. He authored or co-authored more than 100 technical publications, a larger number than any other NASA-DFRC employee. These works stand as a testimony to his contributions and leadership in developing and applying advanced concepts to modern aircraft.
Bill received many awards during his career at NASA-DFRC, including both the NASA Exceptional Service and Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medals, and an Aviation Week and Space Technology Laurel Award. He has been awarded three patents. His PCA concept was named the 1995 Government Invention of the Year, and received the Flight Safety Foundation Presidential Citation in 1997.
Mr. Bill Burcham is indeed a most worthy recipient of this year's SFTE's "Kelly" Johnson Award.