Alum Edward Rafacz (Kellogg '98) is awarded The Robert J. Collier Trophy

The Robert J. Collier Trophy, widely regarded as the most prestigious industry award in the aeronautic industry, has been presented to many outstanding recipients since it began in 1911. The programs honored by the award mark many of the major milestones in the history of the aeronautic industry.

The Robert J. Collier Trophy is awarded annually "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.

Alum Edward Rafacz (Kellogg '98) was part of the 2007 winning team, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), which many believe represents the future of air traffic control. He has worked for over a decade on the project, creating policy, collaborating on the design of the devices, and test flying the equipment.

The gains in safety, capacity, and efficiency as a result of moving to a satellite-based system will enable the FAA to meet the tremendous growth in air traffic predicted in the coming decades. We would like to congratulate Edward Rafacz for his achievement and his exemplary representation of the Transportation Center as one of its Alums.

Ed Rafacz is a pilot for Delta Airlines.

Ed Rafacz with FAA Administrator Robert A. Sturgell - at the Collier Trophy award banquet on June 12th
Press release about the 2007 award.