Transition from 'Helicopter' Society to 'Vertical Flight' Helps Strengthen Industry Ties

One of the Vertical Flight Society's own has been given the Exceptional Public Service Medal from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), garnering just another smidgeon of prestige for the organization.

VFS Director of Strategy Mike Hirschberg was recognized with the EPSM, which is awarded to those who contribute to NASA's mission without being on a government payroll. Hirschberg was honored at the NASA Ames Research Center’s “2023 Presidential Rank & NASA Honors Awards” ceremony, where 73 individual and 27 group awards were given to NASA employees, contractors and groups. Hirschberg was the only one out of 100 awards given who was neither a NASA employee nor contractor, bucking the trend. It's high praise, particularly given VFS' character as a very engineering-focused society, in some ways the most technical-minded of the bunch.

Hirschberg served as Executive Director of the society for 12 years, starting in 2011. He only stepped down last year to "better use his talents in the pursuit of the Society’s goal of advancing vertical flight." 

NASA recognized his efforts, particularly his actions in moving the VFS away from its older branding of the American Helicopter Society. That simple move opened the doors to a whole new genre of aircraft, which is only more important while the eVTOL industry begins to stand up on its shaky, young fawn's legs. Opening up the Helicopter Society served both sides of the equation: A nascent industry gained immediate recognition and networking capabilities, and a smaller organization got to capitalize on a fast-growing niche and bolster its own weight in relation to more traditional fixed-wing groups.

“Receiving the EPSM award was the most humbling honor in my 33-year career,” Hirschberg said. “The incredible achievements of the other 99 recipients — including many by VFS members — was a tour de force of scientific breakthroughs, advancements and career accomplishments by the nation’s aerospace science and technology research leaders.”

FMI: www.vtol.org