AP Photo/NASA Langley
This 1970 file photo shows Richard Whitcomb looking over a model in 1970 that incorporates his supercritical-wing concept at the NASA Langley facility in Hampton, Va. The aviation pioneer and NASA Langley researcher died Tuesday Oct. 13, 2009 in Newport News, Va. He was 89.
Richard Whitcomb
Aviation pioneer that created three important aeronautical innovations.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - NASA Langley Research Center says aviation pioneer Richard Whitcomb has died. He was 89.
NASA spokeswoman Kathy Barnstorff says Whitcomb died in a Newport News nursing home Tuesday morning.
Whitcomb worked at Langley from 1943 until 1980, and during that time came up with three important aeronautical innovations.
He discovered how to achieve practical, efficient transonic and supersonic flight by changing the shape of the fuselage. Whitcomb also developed the supercritical wing that revolutionized the design of jet liners, and invented winglets that improve efficiency and fuel performance on private jets and major airlines.
Richard Whitcomb
October 13, 2009
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