As a member of the International group who set up the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamic (known at that time as the Training Centre for Experimental Aerodynamics — TCEA) Professor A. D. Young participated actively in the Institute's programme. After the death of Dr von Karman in 1963, he was nominated Chairman of the VKI Board of Directors, and still holds this position.

It is clear that the goals of the Institute, as envisaged by Dr von Karman, have been successfully met. After the first few challenging years under his leadership, it was essential to ensure that the scientific reputation of the Institute continued to be strengthened. The VKI is now recognised as a major establishment in its own right with a very high scientific reputation.