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WilliaM H. PHilliPs
1918–2009
elected in 1991
“For theoretical and practical contributions that have
advanced understanding of aircraft stability, control, guidance,
flying qualities, and simulation technology.”
By WilMer H. reed iii
sUBMiTTed By THe Nae HoMe secreTary
WilliaM HeWiTT PHilliPs, a member of the National
aeronautics and space administration (Nasa) engineering
team responsible for the success of the apollo program died at
home on June 27, 2009, at the age of 91.
He was born in Port sunlight, england, on May 31, 1918
and came to the United states with his parents when he was
2. He earned a B.s. in 1939 and an M.s. in 1940 in aeronautical
engineering, both from the Massachusetts institute of
Technology (MiT).
William Hewitt Phillips was truly one of a kind. a stranger
meeting this humble, unassuming man would hardly suspect
that before him stood an internationally known, highly
respected technical giant in his field. His entire professional
career was spent with the National advisory committee
for aeronautics and Nasa at langley research center. His
technical contributions in the field of aeronautics and space
span from flight research on World War II aircraft in the early
1940s to the present-day space shuttle. His research and
innovations related to such topics as aircraft stability, control
and handling qualities, gust alleviation and aeroelastic effects,
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space rendezvous and navigation, and lunar landing studies,
in which he conceived and developed the 200-foot-tall lunar
landing facility used to train astronauts and which forms part
of Hampton’s skyline.
among Hewitt’s special talents was the ability to explain
incredibly complex subjects in simple understandable english.
That talent is well borne out in Nasa’s publication of two of
his books: Journey in Aeronautical Research and Journey Into
Space Research—continuation of a career at NASA Langley Research
Center. These well-illustrated books make for good reading for
anyone interested in aerospace. fortunately, Hewitt’s research
papers and files have been preserved and cataloged at Virginia
Tech’s Virginia Heritage special archival collection, which
can be accessed over the internet.
i became friends with Hewitt through our mutual interest
in a lifelong hobby of building and flying model airplanes. We
were both longtime members of the “Brainbusters Free-Flight
Model club.” Hewitt and i also participated in volunteer
projects sponsored by the local chapter of the aiaa (american
institute of aeronautics and astronautics). one such project
was to design and build a prototype of a wind tunnel exhibit
planned for use at the Virginia air and space Museum. Hewitt
was ideally suited for this mission, recalling that in the late
1930s, while at MiT, he and a fellow student built a wind
tunnel for testing model airplanes. This prototype wind tunnel
was later used by the aiaa and others in classrooms and on
special occasions such as career days.
another project in which Hewitt and i participated involved
aiaa’s bid to break the guinness record for the world’s largest
paper airplane. Teachers from four Hampton high schools
selected 18 outstanding senior students to participate. Hewitt,
along with dr. richard Witcomb, Jim Penland, and i served as
advisors. at the beginning of the one-year program, named
the “White Pelican” project, the students listened to lectures
by Hewitt, dr. Whitcomb, and the other advisor on such
topics as airplane design, aerodynamics, stability and control,
structures, and materials. at the end of a year of intensive labor
by all involved, the White Pelican was born. she weighed in at
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9½ pounds and had a wing span of 30 feet and 6 inches. The
recordbreaking flight took place in the NASA hangar, where
she gracefully glided 114 feet, earning her place in the 1993
edition of the Guiness Book of Records.
after retiring from government service in february 1979, he
remained a distinguished research associate, researching solar-
powered aircraft, propellers, airfoil design, and wind tunnel
studies of the use of canard surfaces for the space shuttle.
He served as a consultant on studies of flight dynamics and
control. He was awarded the america institute for aeronautics
and astronautics’ lawrence sperry award for aeronautics in
1944, the Nasa distinguished service Medal in 1979, and
the President’s award for distinguished federal civilian
service in 1979; he was elected into the National academy
of engineering in 1991 and he was elected a fellow of the
american institute of aeronautics and astronautics.
Hewitt enjoyed a variety of outside activities. in addition
to his addiction to model airplanes, he was an accomplished
artist, played the piano, enjoyed opera, and looked forward
to summer vacations at his time-share on the outer Banks
of North carolina. i remember being with him there a few
years back. While he was unpacking the car at the start of
his vacation, curious onlookers watched as he pulled out his
6-foot radio-controlled glider, unusual kites configured with
rotors and rotating cylinders, painting art supplies, and stacks
of sheet music for piano practice at the recreation center. and
then it was really fascinating to see this 80+ -year-old trudging
up the Jockey ridge sand dunes with said glider and kites in
hand.
another love of Hewitt’s was attending, each year, the
December 17 celebration of the anniversary of man’s first flight
by the Wright brothers. We often went together and would
also attend, on the night before, a dinner sponsored by the
“Man Will Never Fly (MWNF) Memorial Society.” Its motto:
“Birds Fly, Men Drink”; its objective, to prove that the first
flight was a big hoax and that the Wright brothers came there
just to party. Well, Hewitt didn’t drink, but he always enjoyed
the event, especially when he wore his MWNf party hat.
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Phillips married Viola ohler in 1947. They were married for
49 years and had three children—frederick H. (of Middleton,
Massachusetts), robert o. (of Belmont, Massachusetts),
and alice B. Phillips (of Beaverton, oregon)—and six
grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Hilda
stuntz, of lexington, Massachusetts, and is survived by Hilda’s
husband david and longtime caregiver Janice singleton.
William Hewitt Phillips has left this earth a better place,
and his legendary contributions will long endure.
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