John S. Langford, Electra Aero Founder and CEO, Elected by AIAA as an Honorary Fellow
Electra Aero proudly announced this week that its Founder and CEO, John S. Langford, has been awarded the highest distinction from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), to be an Honorary Fellow, reports a press release.
The AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace society. “This recognition,” says the release, “acknowledges Langford’s exceptional contributions spanning the creation of three aerospace companies.” The Award cites: “For the creation of three pioneering and successful aerospace companies and leadership in robotic aircraft, sustainable aviation, STEM education and national R&D policy.”
The release explains, “First bestowed on Orville Wright in 1933, the AIAA Honorary Fellow Award recognises pre-eminent individuals who have had long and highly contributory careers in aerospace and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics. To date, only 242 people have been recognised.”

Langford’s aeronautical pedigree is impressive, particularly as a successful and serial entrepreneur.
Presently, Langford leads Electra Aero which he founded in 2020. It is different to the competition as the company is developing a sustainable electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft making urban and regional transportation more rapid, safe and affordable. The twist being an eSTOL craft can takeoff and land on a runway shorter than a soccer field alongside its ability to recharge the aircraft’s battery during flight.
Previously, Langford founded Aurora Flight Sciences, a leader in advanced robotic aircraft, where he served as CEO from 1989 to 2018. Aurora was acquired by Boeing in 2017. He also co-founded Athena Technologies in 1998 when it was spun out of Aurora. Athena specialised in advanced flight control solutions and was acquired by Rockwell Collins in 2008.
Langford joined the AIAA in 1977 as a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and served as its President from 2018 to 2020. He was elected as an Associate Fellow in 2002 and a Fellow in 2012, and has previously been honoured with the AIAA Young Engineer of the Year Award, the Goldwater and Reed Aeronautics Awards.
Langford is a also Member of the National Academy of Engineering and holds a doctoral degree from the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
The honour will be presented at the AIAA’s Awards Gala to be held on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C.
Background
The AIAA is the largest aerospace professional society in the world, serving a diverse range of more than 35,000 individual members from 80 countries and 100 corporate members. Members help make the world “safer, more connected, more accessible and more prosperous.”
Under the credo, “In Search of the Next Impossible Thing,” the organisation exists “to ignite and celebrate aerospace ingenuity and collaboration… and a promise to be a lifelong link for aerospace professionals and a champion for their achievements.”
AIAA is holding a major Aviation Forum and Exposition at Las Vegas this year between July 29th and August 2nd.
For more information
(Top image: John S. Langford — Credit: Electra Aero)
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