THE AWARD     RTCA annually presents the William E. Jackson award to an outstanding student in the field of aviation electronics and telecommunications. This award, which is a memorial to William E. Jackson – a pioneer in the development and implementation of the nation's air traffic control system and an enthusiastic supporter of student engineers – includes a personalized plaque and a $4000 honorarium. The William E. Jackson award is presented at a special banquet during the RTCA Annual Symposium.

ELIGIBILITY    Any graduate student studying for a degree in the field of aviation electronics or telecommunication systems is eligible.

RULES    Submissions must be in the form of a thesis, project report or technical journal paper. The work on which the submission is based must have been completed within the three years preceding the closing date and the papers submitted for consideration must be written in English and provided without publication restrictions. Joint authors may compete if both or all qualify as students and candidates for graduate degrees in this field. Joint authors would share the $4000 award. In addition to the paper (electronic submission preferred), candidates for the award must submit: (1) a one- or two-page summary of the written material; (2) a biographical sketch of the candidate; (3) a letter of endorsement from the candidate's instructor, professor or department head; two copies of each are required. (See page 2) Submissions received after the closing date will not be considered. 

JUDGING CRITERIA The basis for selection will be the submitted written report (electronic submission preferred). Candidates will not be interviewed. The life-long dedication of William E. Jackson to aviation systems, rather than to particular techniques or equipment, will be a standard guiding the evaluation of the submissions. Therefore, Jackson's career, as described in the enclosed biography, serves as an additional guide for contributors. 

CLOSING DATE RTCA must receive all entries no later than September 30. Submissions are to be sent to:

William E. Jackson Award Committee

c/o RTCA, Inc.

1828 L Street, NW, Suite 805

Washington, DC 20036 

William E. Jackson Submission Requirements

(One Copy – Paper plus One copy CD electronic submission)

1.         Written Report: In the form of a Thesis, Project Report or Technical Paper

2.         Executive Summary of the Report: Include a statement of applicability to the aviation

            community

3.         Biographical sketch of the candidate 

4.         Letter of endorsement from the candidate's instructor, professor or department

            head: The endorsement may identify the significance of the research/project, applicant's

            creativity/innovation and the level of technical merit. 

NOTE:  Please submit one hard-copy and one soft-copy of items #1 through #3.