Greg Toman of Grand Rapids Technology Inc. will receive the August Raspet Memorial Award today for his contributions to the advancement of electronic instrumentation in the ultralight and experimental aircraft areas. The presentation will be made at tonight’s Homebuilt Aircraft Awards ceremony, held at the Remos Aircraft Forum Pavilion 11, which starts at 6 p.m.

The Raspet Award has been presented every year since 1960 to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of light aircraft design. It’s named for the late Dr. August "Gus" Raspet, a professor at Mississippi State University and avid light aircraft enthusiast. Raspet was instrumental in elevating the aeronautical engineering program at Mississippi A&M College, as it was originally known, into one of the nation’s preeminent aero physics research centers.

Grand Rapids Technology Inc. offers state-of-the-art engine information systems (EIS) and electronic flight instrument systems (EFIS), including the EFIS Horizon I, which provides primary flight data, graphical engine data, and a moving map.

Toman, president and chief engineer of Grand Rapids Technology Inc. said he was surprised, yet honored to have been the recipient of this year’s Raspet Award. "I feel privileged that our company was recognized," Toman said. "It’s a great feeling to look back at past winners and know that we’re a part of that crowd."

Toman started the company in 1994 with the dream of becoming self-employed. Using techniques and traditions he adopted from his 20 years of aerospace experience, Toman developed an EIS for Rotax two-cycle engines that provided more information about an engine’s operating parameters than standard steam gauges—while weighing less and requiring less panel space.

"Our goal at Grand Rapids Technology Inc. has always been to cover all aspects of electronic instrumentation," Toman said. "From low-cost homebuilts to expensive manufactured planes, we aim to develop technology for all types of aircraft."

Grand Rapids Technology Inc. is currently developing four new EFIS models using 640-by-480 resolution, 6.5-inch sunlight-readable displays. "When we introduce new technology, we always provide the means to allow the user to revert to more traditional technology," Toman added. "An example is the approach guidance. While we make the highway-in-the-sky available, it can also be disabled. This gives the pilot the choice of a format he is familiar with, or the new technology. There is much to be learned and appreciated from those who came before us in the aircraft instrumentation business."

The first Raspet Award recipient was John Thorp, Lockheed engineer on the Little Dipper and Big Dipper, and designer of the Thorp Aviation Sky Skooter. Since then the list of people honored reads like a "who’s who" of aircraft design.