posted on Feb, 12 2008 @ 07:31 PM
This isn't strictly an aircraft project, but he was very definitely tied to some highly successful projects that are still in use today.
Frank Piasecki flew the second successful helicopter in the US. He wasn't as well know as Igor Sikorsky, but his company was involved in such
designs as the CH-47, and the X-49 Speedhawk. Sadly, he passed away suddenly on Feb 11th, 2008. Fittingly, test pilot Steven Schellberg was flying
the X-49, testing a new ducted fan at the time he fell ill, and passed away.
His first flight was taken in the PV-2 in 1943, two years after Sikorsky first flew. His company went on to develop such helicopters as the HRP-1,
HRP-2, and H-21.
The director of Boeing's Advanced Rotorcraft division called him "The father of Boeing Rotorcraft.
Piasecki's daughter is in Tokyo, where she is the head of Boeing Japan. Two of his sons are Vice Presidents of his company and are carrying on his
work.