Nominations sought for Crossfield award

The deadline for nominations is June 30. Nominations will be examined by a review committee of aerospace industry and education professionals for documentation of the teacher’s effectiveness, creativity, and ability to maintain high standards in the teaching of aerospace subject matter, the organization said in a news release. 

The award, which was founded in 1986 by the late research test pilot A. Scott Crossfield, and comes with a $5,000 stipend, will be presented at the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s fifty-fifth annual enshrinement dinner Oct. 28 in Fort Worth/Alliance, Texas. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show.

The winning teacher and a guest will receive an all-expense-paid trip to accept the award as part of the ceremony.

The recipient of the 2016 Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year award was retired Delta Airlines Captain Kenneth W. Phelps, a program consultant and instructor for the Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia.

Scott Crossfield, who had served as a naval aviator, aerospace engineer, and test pilot, was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1983. Crossfield was the first man to fly successfully at speeds above Mach 2 and Mach 3 and was the first to fly the X-15; he also contributed to the safety of manned space flight, the organization said.

For award criteria, downloadable application forms, and more information, visit the National Aviation Hall of Fame website.