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AIAA SELECTS PIASECKI AIRCRAFT FOR IT’S HIGHEST AWARD

AIAA SELECTS PIASECKI AIRCRAFT FOR IT’S HIGHEST AWARD

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA, Philadelphia Center, selected Piasecki Aircraft Corporation to receive the Institute’s highest award, the Aerospace Project of the Year. The institute’s award ceremony was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Plymouth Meeting on May 19th. The award was titled to, “John and Fred Piasecki and the X-49A SpeedHawk Engineering/Flight Test team, for significantly improving the performance and safety of a single rotor helicopter by the flight demonstration of Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller helicopter technology.”

The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation’s X-49A Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller VTDP Technology Demonstration program is being administered by the U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Fort Eustis, Virginia. The first phase of the flight test program was successfully completed in 2008 and met or exceeded all program requirements. The results of the technology demonstration was to show an increase in the baseline H-60 helicopter speed of 47% using the same engine power; reduced vibration loads by 50%; made the helicopter more agile and survivable; extended it’s range; has greater high altitude performance and gives greater anti-torque authority.

This VTDP technology can be applied to current military fleet helicopters via an upgrade program at half the costs of a new aircraft and at a quarter of the time to build one. The technology is also applicable to future platform designs.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) recognized Piasecki’s project by showing a significant level of improved performance and the resulting increase in safety for a single rotor helicopter. The AIAA is the world's largest professional society devoted to the progress of engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. With more than 31,000 members worldwide, its programs include Technical Conferences, Career Development, Publishing, and Public Policy. Membership is organized by geographic Sections and is available for Professionals, Students, and Educators. The Greater Philadelphia Section, covering most of Eastern Pennsylvania, contains more than 400 members representing over 70 companies and 30 educational institutions.

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