Constantine (Gus) Sarkos, Class of 1963
Gus
Sarkos received the 2006 Distinguished Engineer award for
his contributions to the improvement of fire safety in
commercial and military transport airplanes. As Manager of
the Fire Safety Branch, which conducts the FAA’s
aircraft safety R&D program, he was instrumental
in the development of a number of fire safety products that
have been implemented into the worldwide civil aviation
fleet. These products, which assure the safety of the
traveling public, have saved many lives by providing
additional time for safe exit, slowing or arresting the
fire and smoke following a crash.
During his 36-year career with the FAA, Mr. Sarkos has
authored more than 60 reports and papers related to
aircraft fire safety, and lectured on this subject at 75
technical meetings. This outstanding work has earned
Mr. Sarkos 31 awards, including the Distinguished Technical
Center Employee of the Year, the Department of
Transportation Secretary’s Award for Meritorious
Achievement, and induction into the U.S. Space
Foundation/NASA Hall of Fame.
A graduate of Rutgers School of Engineering, Mr. Sarkos
received his BS degree in 1963, and his MS degree in 1965,
both in Mechanical Engineering. He resides in Linwood, New
Jersey, with his wife, Phyllis.