Frank Piasecki
Frank Piasecki | |
|---|---|
 Piasecki in the early 1950s | |
| Born | October 24, 1919 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 11, 2008 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupation | Helicopter designer |
| Known for | Designing tandem rotor helicopters |
| Spouse | Vivian O'Gara Weyerhaeuser |
| Children | Nicole, Frederick, John, Lynn, Frank, Michael, and Gregory |
Frank Piasecki (/piːəˈsɛki/ pee-ə-SEK-ee; Polish: [pjaˈsɛtski]; October 24, 1919 – February 11, 2008) was an American engineer and helicopter aviation pioneer. Piasecki pioneered tandem rotor helicopter designs and created the compound helicopter concept of vectored thrust using a ducted propeller.[2]
Early life and education
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to an immigrant Polish tailor, Piasecki worked for autogyro manufacturers while still attending Overbrook High School,[3] then studied mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania before graduating with a bachelor's degree from New York University. In 1940, he formed PV Engineering Forum with former Pennsylvania classmate Harold Venzie.[4] He built a single-person, single-rotor helicopter designated the PV-2 and flew it on April 11, 1943. This helicopter impressed the United States Navy sufficiently to win Piasecki a development contract.[5]
Career
The name PV Engineering was changed to Piasecki Helicopter Corporation in 1946. After a boardroom dispute, Piasecki left Piasecki Helicopter in 1955 and formed the Piasecki Aircraft Company.[6]
At Piasecki Aircraft, he participated in the development of the Piasecki 16H-1 the world's first shaft driven compound helicopter, the PA-59K/VZ-8P Flying Geep, the Piasecki PA-97 Helistat heavy vertical airlifter and the Piasecki X-49 experimental compound helicopter.
Personal life
Piasecki married Vivian O'Gara Weyerhaeuser on December 20, 1958.[7] They had seven children, Nicole, Frederick, John, Lynn, Frank, Michael, and Gregory.[6]
His son John W. Piasecki is now President and CEO of Piasecki Aircraft. His son Fred W. Piasecki is Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology Officer of Piasecki Aircraft.[8] His daughter Nicole Piasecki is vice president and general manager of Propulsion Systems for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.[9]
Later life and death
Piasecki died at his home on February 11, 2008 after a series of strokes. He was 88.
Awards
- Philip H. Ward, Jr. Medal from The Franklin Institute in 1979.
- National Medal of Technology - President Ronald Reagan presented Piasecki with the country's highest technical honor in 1986.
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Lifetime Achievement award - awarded in 2005
See also
References
- ^ Helicopter pioneer Piasecki dies
- ^ Spenser, Jay P. Whirlybirds, A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers. University of Washington Press, 1998. ISBN 0-295-97699-3.
- ^ "Piasecki Aircraft Corporation >> About >> PiAC". Piasecki Aircraft Corporation. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ^ P-V Engineering Forum PV-2 - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- ^ Wall Street Journal, February 16–17, 2008, p. A6
- ^ a b HEVESI, Dennis (15 February 2008). "Frank Piasecki, a Pioneer in Helicopters, Is Dead at 88". New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Twining, Charles E. F.K. Weyerhaeuser: A Biography. St. Paul, Minn: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1997. p. 289. ISBN 0-87351-356-8
- ^ "Company Overview of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation". Bloomberg. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ "All Female Flight"
External links
- Piasecki Aircraft Corporation web site
- The Boy Who Grew Flying Bananas by L.B. White 1951 article on Piasecki at age 31 and his early helicopters. Rare photos.
- Frank Piasecki biography on National Aviation Hall of Fame site
- Summary of Frank's aviation legacy from AIN online
- Frank Piasecki at Find a Grave
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