Matthew Wilbur, a senior research engineer who leads ARL’s Vehicle Technology Directorate’s Aeroelasticity Team, was recently awarded the American Helicopter Society Hampton Roads Chapter John W. White Engineer of the Year Award.

The American Helicopter Society International is the world’s oldest and largest professional society dedicated to enhancing the understanding of vertical flight technology. The society was established in 1943, around the time the first U.S. helicopter was being put into service. According to its website, the Society has been the primary forum for interchange of information on vertical flight technology.

Wilbur, who is based at NASA-Langley, was recognized for outstanding contributions to the advancements of both military and civilian helicopters and service to the Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Helicopter Society International, as stated on the award citation.

He was also recognized for his contributions to rotary-wing technology while conducting research activities at the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel — such as the development of active helicopter rotor systems — as well as his involvement with STEM education activities. Wilbur mentors Hampton Roads-area students as head coach for the Menchville High School Robotics Team, Triple Helix, in Newport News, Va.

Triple Helix, the Menchville Robotics Team, began competing as FIRST Robotics Competition Team 2363 in 2008. Since that time, the team has amassed ten FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) awards, including the Woodie Flowers Regional Finalist Award, which was presented to Wilbur in March 2011 at the FIRST Virginia Regional in Richmond, Va. The Woodie Flowers Finalist Award is presented at each regional competition to the mentor that best exemplifies effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design.