Piasecki, Frank N.

Photo: Peter J. Obst (left) and Frank N. Piasecki at Rotorfest, at the American Helicopter Museum, October 20, 2002

Piasecki, Frank Nicholas
Aeronautical and mechanical engineer, pilot, executive
Born Oct. 24. 1919; Died Feb. 11, 2008. Philadelphia (PA); U.S.; son of Nikodem and Emilia (Lotocka); married Vivian (Weyerhaeuser); children: Lynn, Nicole, Frederick, Frank, Michael, John, Gregory.
Education: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) (in aeronautical engineering), New York University (NYU), New York City, 1940; certified helicopter pilot, Civil Aeronautics Administration; registered professional engineer, Department of State, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Professional Affairs; Dr. of Aeronautical Sciences (honorary), Pennsylvania Military College, 1953; Dr. of Aeronautical Engineering (honorary), New York University (NYU), 1966; Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) (honorary), Alliance College, Cambridge Springs (PA), 1970.
Career: founder, Research Group, P-V Engineering Forum, 1940-46; board of directors president and chairman, Piasecki Helicopter Corporation, 1946 1955; president, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, Essington (PA), 1955 -.
Author: designer, constructor, PV-2 helicopter (2nd successful helicopter in U.S.), 1943, world's 1st tandem rotor helicopter, 1945; helicopters co designer, HRP-1, HRP-2, XHJP-1, HUP-1, -2, and -3, H-21, H-16; designer, Heli-Stat (world's largest flying aircraft), 1986; 22 patents; numerous scientific papers, lectures and testimonies, since 1945.
Member of, i.a.: founder, Twirly Birds - An Organization of Pioneer Helicopter Pilots; fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; honorary fellow, past president, American Helicopter Society; Society of Military Engineers; Helicopter Council of the Aerospace Industries Association; Committee on Innovation, National Science Foundation (NSF); National Society of Automotive Engineers; Association of the U.S. Army; Society of Professional Engineers; Society of Experimental Test Pilots; Kosciuszko Foundation; Polish Heritage Society; Polish American Congress (P.A.C.); Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.); American Council of Polish Culture (A.C.P.C.); Polish American Citizens League; and numerous others.
Honors, i.a.: donor, founder, Alexander Klemm Award, American Helicopter Society; honorary helicopter pilot, United States Coast Guard (USCG), 1945; Lawrence Sperry Award, Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences, 1950; One of Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year, U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1952; Mendel Award, Villanova University, 1954; Engineer of the Year, Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and Technical Society of the Greater Delaware Valley, 1967; Army Aviation Hall of Fame, 1974; Leonardo da Vinci Award, Navy Helicopter Association; Philip H. Ward, Jr. Gold Medal for contribution to U.S. industry, Franklin Institute, 1979; Spirit of St. Louis award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 1983; National Medal of Technology, President Ronald Reagan, 1986; Elder Statesman of Aviation, 1987; Medal of Merit, L. Walesa, President of Poland, 1994; American Heritage Award, 1994; and others.
Languages: English, Polish.
Hobbies: boating, flying.
Office: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, PO Box 360, 2nd Street, Essington, PA 19029.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996