Richard T. Whitcomb

	RICHARD T. WHITCOMB Aerodynamicist
	Richard Travis Whitcomb was born in Evantson, Illinois on 21 February 1921. He graduated from high school in 1939 and in 1943 received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, concentrating in aeronautics. Shortly thereafter he began a 37 year career with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During his illustrious career Whitcomb developed three highly important aerodynamic design concepts concerning transonic, supersonic and high subsonic flight. The "area rule," the "supercritical wing" and "winglets" evolved from these concepts. The application of the area rule in airplane design greatly reduces drag at transonic and supersonic speeds. The supercritical wing design provides for increased speed, maneuverability and efficiency at high subsonic cruise speed. Winglets, the small near-vertical airfoils attached at an airplane's wing tips, provide an effective decrease in the vortex drag coefficient and result in significant fuel savings during long range cruise flight. Richard Whitcomb retired from NASA in 1980 and his life long research and design efforts contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1998