Boeing's 787 has been named the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Collier Trophy, joining past Boeing commercial honourees the 747, 757, 767 and 777.
"We were very pleased with this year's slate of nominations - all of them were impressive, inspirational, and innovative and certainly represent the future of aviation and aerospace," says Walter Boyne, National Aeronautic Association chairman. "We congratulate Boeing on their great accomplishment with the 787."
Boyne, who also served as chair of the selection committee, made the official announcement during a 13 March ceremony in Arlington, Virginia.
"We're deeply honoured to receive this award," says Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Jim Albaugh.
The trophy, whose past recipients include Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong and Orville Wright, is given to the "air or space vehicle that represents the greatest aeronautic achievement in America, the value of which was demonstrated by actual use during the previous year", says Boeing.
The 787, which entered service in October with Japan's All Nippon Airways, was nominated along side the Gamera human-powered helicopter, Lockheed C-5M Galaxy and the Taurus G-4 electric-powered aircraft.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
