Simon Stacey, a Yeovil-raised specialist in revolutionary rotor technology, has been recognised with an award by the Vertical Flight Society, writes Matt Evans.
The organisation presented Simon with an award for his "extraordinary work on vertical flight" at the RAF Club in London.
Simon, the chief technology officer for the strategy and technology team at Leonardo and a veteran of the British Experimental Rotor Programme, said: "I feel really privileged to be able to collaborate with research students at universities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and our own innovation teams.
"One thing that was very personal to me was taking that work back into the academic institutions, so that I could speak directly to the research teams.
"It has been so important to close that feedback loop, to really allow research students to understand what vertical flight is all about and what Leonardo is all about as well."
Simon’s pioneering research also explores new ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the vertical lift technology through lighter airframes and greener fuel sources.
He added: "Nothing is more satisfying than being a first mover in new technology - taking it from that first concept, right through to delivery.
"That’s where the pride in innovation really lies, when you put it into the hands of our armed forces."
