Father of the Phrog passes......

[Flash]

Frank Piasecki, the developer of the tandem rotor helicopter, designer of the H-21 'Flying Banana' and the country's first licensed helicopter pilot passed away on Monday. Didn't realize his lie story was so interesting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/business/15piasecki.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-piasecki14feb14,1,4062420.story

The Flying Banana, the Phrog's older brother:

The X-49A Speed Hawk, his latest design:

 

[MasterBates]

I flew in one of the few civilian owned (and flyable) Piasecki's in 1995 or 96.. Was an odd looking bird, but the sound of that radial firing up.. Something else.

I did not realize Mr. Piasecki just died.. Whenever I heard the name in the news I incorrectly thought it was one of his sons.

 

[MasterBates]

Mr. Piasecki was the first tandem helo guy who discovered that differential collective pitch, vice tilting both rotors forward was the trick, for those who care to know.

 

[VIZKRIEG]

Whats the status on that Speedhawk? I googled it, but couldn't find much worth reading. It looks awesome though, and the design is very intriguing.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Mr. Piasecki was the first tandem helo guy who discovered that differential collective pitch, vice tilting both rotors forward was the trick, for those who care to know.

I already knew that

Piasecki and Sikorsky. Two great Americans who brought us the miracle of helicopter flight... May They Rest In Peace.

 

[Achilles]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piasecki_X-49

 

[ChuckMK23]

As a fledgling Phrog pilot in the late 80's I had the opportunity to fly a '46 to the Piasecki "factory" (well we landed in the parking lot). "Mr. Pi" greeted my crew and I and gave us a personal tour of the warehouse - which contained artifacts/aircraft from about every phase of rotor craft development from the 1940's on. His son Fred Piasecki was a classmate and friend from college - hence the invite to fly into their facility.... In Essington PA, between the Philly airport and the Boeing plant! Quite a fun time! At the timer the only contract Piasecki Aircraft had was making convection ovens for the P-3.

Mr. Pi was also an avid sponsor and founding figure of the American Helicopter Society. An organization I would highly recommend joining.

 

[HeyJoe]

Mr. Pi was also an avid sponsor and founding figure of the American Helicopter Society. An organization I would highly recommend joining.

Speaking of which, AHS International is runing a tribute to Frank Piasecki on its website.