About William E. Jackson
William E. Jackson was a pioneer in Aviation. He was an internationally known and highly regarded electronics engineer remembered for his intense and creative interest in the fields of aeronautical navigation, communications and air traffic control.
During his long career in both industry and government, William E. Jackson contributed to the development of nearly all of the electronic aids to air navigation and air traffic control. He was noted especially for his outstanding contributions to instrument landing systems, very high frequency omniranges, and distance measuring equipment – the worldwide standard systems in use today. He wrote more than 150 publications and edited The Federal Airways System, published in July 1970 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. That publication traces 40 years of history and accomplishments and reflects many of Mr. Jackson’s pioneering contributions to aviation.
Mr. Jackson was particularly interested in assisting young engineers seeking a career in aviation electronics. He helped many of them start their careers and provided constant encouragement, counsel, and assistance. His deep interest in engineering students inspired many to choose aviation careers. He was as interested in the junior engineer’s technical effort as he was in top management’s activities.
Mr. Jackson’s career spanned the years that saw air transportation become dominant in public inter-city transportation and a vital force in private and business travel. His participation in the efforts that made this growth possible, his dedication to helping young engineers, and his leadership in and support for RTCA are recognized by the Annual William E. Jackson Award.
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 $5000 honorarium.
Guidelines
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Any graduate student studying for a degree in the field of aviation electronics, software, or telecommunication systems is eligible.
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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 $5000 award.
In addition to the paper (electronic submission preferred), candidates for the award must submit:
- a one- or two-page summary of the written material;
- a biographical sketch of the candidate; and
- a letter of endorsement from the candidate’s instructor, professor or department head. Submissions received after the closing date will not be considered.
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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 biography, serves as an additional guide for contributors.
Submission
RTCA must receive all entries no later than February 28, 2025.
Submissions are to be sent electronically to committees@rtca.org
