The 2011 Winner is Mr. Len Reid

Summary
Len Reid is currently Vice President, Technology, at Fatigue Technology (FTI) in Seattle, Washington and has been with the company 24 years.  A native of Australia, Len served 25 years in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF); completing an Aircraft Engine Fitter Apprenticeship, attaining a Diploma of Aeronautical Engineering from RMIT Melbourne, then a Masters Degree in Aircraft Design from the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield England.  He served as an aeronautical engineer officer in the RAAF in various aircraft project engineering and operational squadron positions before being appointed Staff Officer responsible for structural integrity and airworthiness of the Australian Air Force and Army aircraft.  He introduced the durability and damage tolerance approach to structural management of the RAAF fleet and participated as a team member on Technical Cooperation Program panels.  Len retired as a Wing Commander (LtCol) to join FTI in February 1987.

At FTI Len has held a number of positions from Customer Support Manager, Sales/Marketing Manager, and Director Technical Services.  In 1991 he was appointed Vice president of Engineering, responsible for corporate management of engineering functions including directing research and development, materials testing operations, specific product development, and technical consulting of fatigue life enhancement support of customer programs.  During this time Len developed and adapted FTI’s cold expansion methods and processes to innovate a number of unique repair solutions incorporated into many military and commercial aircraft structures.  In June 2004 he was appointed Vice President Research and Development responsible for developing new products and technology for the company.  Len is either inventor or co-inventor of 21 US and international patents for FTI.  In his current appointment, besides continuing to directly support many customer programs, Len provides technology oversight and is actively involved in engineering and innovation of structural ideas to extend the durability and damage tolerance of new and aging aircraft.

Len is also a member of a number of professional societies and is actively involved as Chairman of the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Society of Materials where he mentors and encourages young professional engineers.  He has a number of papers published in professional journals and magazines, has presented numerous papers at technical conferences, including ASIP, and has made a significant contribution in the field of aircraft structural integrity and airworthiness.  

Education
1972 Diploma Aeronautical Engineering, RMIT Melbourne Australia
1979 Master of Science Degree in Aircraft Design, College of Aeronautics, Cranfield UK

Recognition
1964 Governor General’s Medal, Outstanding RAAF Apprentice Graduate
2002 Royal Aeronautical Society, Silver Turnbuckle Award
2009 Industry Engineer of the Year, Puget Sound Engineering Council
2001 – 2008 Australian Honorary Consul, Washington State

The John W. Lincoln Award

The John W. Lincoln Award was established in 1996 by the aircraft structural integrity community to recognize a distinguished career expert who has made significant contributions toward advancements in flight vehicle structural integrity and safety.  It is named in honor of the late Dr. John W. (Jack) Lincoln and is presented annually during the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP) Conference.  The award will be presented this year after the Lincoln Award plenary presentation.

Details

The Medallion and Certificate are presented annually at the ASIP Conference. The Plaque lists the names of Past & Present Winners and is displayed at the ASIP Conference and at WPAFB between Conferences.

Qualifications

Previous Winners