Frank Piasecki

Helicopter inventor; National Medal of Technology winner[27]

What is Frank Piasecki known for?

Frank Nicolas Piasecki was born on October 24, 1919, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a prominent American engineer and a pioneer in helicopter aviation. Piasecki's innovative work led to the development of tandem rotor helicopter designs, offering a significant impact in the field of aeronautics.

His journey into the world of aviation started early - while still at Overbrook High School, Piasecki worked for autogyro manufacturers. He then went on to study mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from New York University. His interest in rotor technology led him to work as a control engineer on Platt-LePage Aircraft Company's XR-1 twin-rotor project.

In 1940, Piasecki started the PV Engineering Forum with Harold Venzie, a former classmate from the University of Pennsylvania. Together, they built a single-person, single-rotor helicopter named PV-2. The design was so impressive, Piasecki secured a development contract with the United States Navy.

Piasecki is best known for his work at the Piasecki Helicopter Corporation, a company he founded in 1946 (originally known as PV Engineering). He played a fundamental role in the development of powerful helicopters like the Piasecki 16H-1, the PA-59K/VZ-8P Flying Geep, the Piasecki PA-97 Helistat, and the Piasecki X-49. These creations were groundbreaking in their time and paved the way for future advances in aviation technology.

Personal life was equally important to Piasecki. He married Vivian Weyerhaeuser, with whom he had seven children. Two of his sons, John W. Piasecki and Fred W. Piasecki, followed in their father's footsteps and assumed leadership positions at Piasecki Aircraft. His daughter Nicole Piasecki also had a successful career in aviation as the vice president and general manager of Propulsion Systems for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Piasecki's remarkable contributions to the field of aviation technology earned him significant recognition. For instance, he received the Philip H. Ward, Jr. Medal from The Franklin Institute in 1979, and the National Medal of Technology, presented to him by President Ronald Reagan, in 1986. A significant honor came in 2002 when he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Frank Piasecki passed away on February 11, 2008, at the age of 88. His legacy, however, continues to inspire future generations of aeronautical engineers and aviation enthusiasts.