Howard “Pat” Curtiss, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering emeritus, has been elected a 2007 Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The institute awards the distinction of Fellow to those who have made notable and valuable contributions to its mission “to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics, and to promote the professionalism of those engaged in these pursuits.”

Curtiss joined the faculty in 1965 immediately after earning his Ph.D. from Princeton. He is an authority on modeling the control and response of rotorcraft, including helicopters and vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. He transferred to emeritus status in 1998.

Princeton alumnus Robert Ormiston, who earned his Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton in 1969, was also among the recently named fellows. A member of the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command Army/NASA Rotorcraft Division, Ormiston is a previous winner of the American Helicopter Society’s prestigious Howard Hughes Award.

The fellowship presentations will take place May 15, 2007 at the Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala, to be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.