The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) held its 75th annual forum in Philadelphia May 13-16, 2019. It was a sold-out event highlighting the best in rotorcraft technology. The show featured displays from over 100 companies but as usual the backbone of the event were the several dozen technical presentations made about all things vertical flight.
PiAC was a prominent player in the VFS’s 75th annual Forum ceremonial first night historic “commemoration of the founder’s” event. Board Chairman and Chief Technology Officer, Fred Piasecki, spoke offering multiple remembrances of his father, the late Frank N. Piasecki. Fred was joined on the panel along with (left to right); Mr. Ed Hey, a personal friend of the late Maitland Bleeker, who was an inventor and instrumental in early rotorcraft design; Duncan Pitcairn, nephew of Harold F. Pitcairn who developed The Pitcairn PCA-2 an autogyro developed in the US in the early 1930s and first to sell in quantity; Dan Kurkjian, representing the families of Burke Wilford and Arthur Young, early helicopter pioneers; Sergei Sikorsky, son of rotorcraft industry legend Igor Sikorsky; and, Mr. Fred Piasecki, son of Frank N. Piasecki, the founder of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation and a prominent early rotorcraft inventor and developer.
A ceremonial kickoff reception took place following the Historical Commemoration with PiAC President John Piasecki speaking, He noted “Philly is the indeed America’s cradle of rotorcraft innovation.” John Piasecki referenced that autogyro’s, ducted fan, compound and tandem rotorcraft and tiltrotors were all developed in the Philly region. He stated at present over 9,000 people are currently employed locally in rotorcraft resulting in a $1.3B annual payroll and $1.5B in annual supplier purchases. All told this translates to a $9B+ annual local economic benefit. Mr. Neil Weaver, “executive deputy secretary” of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development also spoke representing PA Governor Tom Wolf. The Wolf Administration issued a proclamation in conjunction with the VFS 75th Annual Forum in Philly recognizing the “critical role” of rotorcraft in being an economic driver of the commonwealth’s growth and prosperity.”
Mr. Neil Weaver, Executive Deputy Secretary, of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development represented the Administration of PA Governor Tom Wolf at VFS reading a proclamation that noted the significance of rotorcraft as an economic driver for the commonwealth.
Mrs. Vivian Piasecki, wife of the late Frank Piasecki who was the founder of PiAC and a widely-noted early rotorcraft developer who is credited with multiple rotorcraft innovations, is with Mr. Sergei Sikorsky, son of Igor Sikorsky. Mr. Igor Sikorsky was a versatile aviation designer and developer with pioneering work on fixed-wing aircraft and flying boats, and who is credited with creating the first practical helicopter.
A packed house was the scene at Philly’s Franklin Institute in historic Franklin Hall on Monday 13 May when PiAC, along with the Pitcairn Family and the local Philly chapter of VFS sponsored a reception honoring the importance of the rotorcraft industry to the Delaware Valley. PiAC’s John Piasecki, President and CEO kicked-off the event. Both PA Governor Tom Wolf (D) and Pennsylvania Congresswoman Mary Gaye Scanlon (D-PA 5) paid their respects to the VFS issuing commemorative proclamations.
PiAC “helped steal” the show at the VFS 75th annual convention featuring a restored 16H-1A Pathfinder featuring one 1,250 shp (930 kW) T58-GE-8 engine. The compound rotorcraft was completed in 1965 but a smaller version, the 16H-1 first flew in 1962.
PiAC’s booth at the VFS featured information on the company’s current product offerings as well as its extensive heritage in Rotorcraft R&D and product development.