"Vertical Flight Society: Alfred Gessow Award

Vertical Flight Society Forum and European Rotorcraft Forum

Involvement of the Helicopters and VTOL Technical Committee

Every year, the international helicopter and VTOL scientific and technical community is punctuated by two major events: the Vertical Flight Society (VFS) Forum, held this year in May in Virginia Beach, and the European Rotorcraft Forum, held in September 2025 in Venice.

3AF's helicopter and VTOL technical commission was present at both events, represented by participants from ONERA, Airbus Helicopters and Safran Helicopter Engines.

This year 2025, the Vertical Flight Society awarded the Alfred Gessow Prize (best paper of the 263 papers presented at the conference) to Laurent Binet (ONERA) for his work entitled " EASA Helicopter Vortex-Ring-State Experimental Research Project ", carried out in cooperation with DGA-EV and EASA.

Laurent Binet was invited to present his work in plenary session at the "EUROPEAN ROTORCRAFT FORUM 2025" held in Venice.

At the same congress, a paper was presented by Jérémy Jimenez (Airbus Helicopters) on the work of 3AF's Helicopters and VTOL technical commission on a method for comparing helicopterthode for comparing helicopter_CO2 emissions was presented by Jérémy Jimenez (Airbus Helicopters).

Presentation of the Alfred Gessow Award - From left to right, Luca Medici, Leonardo Helicopters, Chairman of ERF 2025, Laurent Binet ONERA, and Angelo Collins Executive Director VFS)

A "News" extract from a text proposed by Arnaud Le Pape, ONERA - Palaiseau, to be published in a forthcoming 3AF Newsletter.