Background
Piasecki, Frank Nicholas was born on October 24, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Nikodem and Emilia (Lotocki) Piasecki.
entrepreneur pilot mechanical engineer corporation executive
Piasecki, Frank Nicholas was born on October 24, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Nikodem and Emilia (Lotocki) Piasecki.
Student, University Pennsylvania, 1939. Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, Guggenheim School of Aeronautics, New York University, 1940. Doctor Aeronautical Engineering (honorary), New York University, 1955.
Doctor Aeronautical Science, Pennsylvania Military College, 1953. Doctor of Science, Alliance College, 1970.
Piasecki pioneered tandem rotor helicopter designs and created the compound helicopter concept of vectored thrust using a ducted propeller. He built a single-person, single-rotor helicopter designated the Photovoltaics-2 and flew it on April 11, 1943. The name Photovoltaics 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.
At Piasecki Aircraft, he participated in the development of the Piasecki 16H-1 the world"s first shaft driven compound helicopter, the Pennsylvania-59K/VZ-8P Flying Geep, the Piasecki Pennsylvania-97 Helistat heavy vertical airlifter and the Piasecki X-49 experimental compound helicopter. Piasecki was married to Vivian O"Gara Weyerhaeuser on December 20, 1958.
Death Piasecki died at his home on February 11, 2008 after a series of strokes. He was 88.
Member Citizens' Advisory Committee Transportation Quality Department Transportation. Member advisory committee industrial innovation presentation, subcommittee science, technical and space Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Trustee Kosciuszko Foundation, New York City.
Fellow Institute Aeronautical Sciences, Society Automotive Engineers, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Honorary fellow American Helicopter Society (past president). Member American Society Professional Engineers, Society Experimental Test Pilots, National Air Carriers Association(industrial consultant commission).
Clubs: Wings (New York City). Merion Golf, Merion Cricket (Haverford, Pennsylvania). Engineers (Philadelphia), Union League, Corinthian Yacht (Philadelphia).
Twirly Birds (founder member).
Married Vivian O'Gara Weyerhaeuser, December 1958. Children: Lynn, Nicole, Frederick, Frank, John, Michael, Gregory.