Augusto Cicaré

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Augusto Ulderico Cicaré
Born(1937-05-25)25 May 1937
Died26 January 2022(2022-01-26) (aged 84)
NationalityArgentinian
Known forCH-7 Helicopter
AwardsJuan Manuel Fangio Prize
Scientific career
FieldsEngineering, aviation design

Augusto Ulderico Cicaré (25 May 1937 – 26 January 2022) was an Argentinian inventor, engineer, and aviation designer.[1]

At the age of 11, still in 5th grade, he built his first four stroke engine that he used to drive a washing machine. In this same period he converted the engine of a car to use propane gas instead of petrol.[2] By age 15 he was constructing motorcycle engines.[3]

In 1958, despite having never seen an actual helicopter before, and knowing little of helicopter design,[4] Cicaré's first successful helicopter design, the CH-1, flew for the first time, with its designer as the test pilot,[3] teaching himself how to fly in the process.[4] The CH-1 was the first helicopter to have been designed and built in South America. By 1972, Cicaré was developing his third helicopter.[5]

In the late 1960s, Cicaré designed a V-4 engine for use in DKW automobiles, the engine being extensively tested by driver Juan Manuel Fangio.[3] A version of the engine for use in motorsports competition was also developed, but the closure of DKW resulted in the termination of the project.[3]

Cicaré continued to be active in aviation design, with some of his later work including the Cicaré CH-10 and CH-11 ultralight helicopters, and the development of the Cicaré SVH-3 flight simulator, which was declared Argentina's national invention of the year in 1998.[3]

He died in Saladillo, Buenos Aires on 26 January 2022, at the age of 84.[6]

Awards[edit]

A 1987 design for a fuel injection pump for Diesel engines resulted in Cicaré being awarded the Juan Manuel Fangio Prize, the highest award for Argentine inventors.[3]

In 1970, Cicaré was declared to be one of the ten most outstanding young men of Argentina, and in 1996 he was named as a Friend of the Argentine Air Force.[3] Cicaré also received an honorary Air and Space Engineer degree in 1997 from the Professional Council of Air and Space Engineering.[3]

In 1999, a roundabout in Saladillo, Argentina was named in Cicaré's honour.[3]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes
  1. ^ Cristófalo, Carlos (26 January 2022). "Adiós a Augusto "Pirincho" Cicaré: falleció el genio de los helicópteros argentinos". motor1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  2. ^ Merola, Daniel (8 June 2015). "El mago de los helicópteros inventa y fabrica en Saladillo". ABC Saladillo. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Augusto Cicaré Archived 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Cicaré Helicopters. Accessed 28 October 2010.
  4. ^ a b Rotary Revolution Flightglobal.com, 22 October 2000. Accessed 28 October 2010.
  5. ^ Jane's 1971–1972, p. 3
  6. ^ "Adiós a Augusto "Pirincho" Cicaré: falleció el genio de los helicópteros argentinos". Motor 1. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
Bibliography
  • Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–1972. London: Sampson Low Marston & Co, 1972. ISBN 978-0-354-00094-9.