Frank Nicholas Piasecki
Aeronautical and mechanical engineer, pilot, executive
Born Oct. 24. 1919, 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 Proflessional 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, PV-Engineering Forum, 1940-46; board directors president and chmairman, 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, 1st world tandem rotor helicopter, 1945; helicopters codesigner, 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 Klemin 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.