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Quest for Performance: The Evolution
of Modern Aircraft
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- About the Author
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- [547] Laurence K.
Loftin, Jr. was born in Lynchburg, Virginia,. and was graduated
from the University of Virginia with a B.S. degree in Mechanical
Engineering in 1943. He joined the staff of the Langley Research
Center in 1944. In a variety of positions, he engaged in and
supervised research in aerodynamics and aeroelasticity, and in
1958 was chosen to be Technical Assistant to the Langley Director.
In 1961 he was named Assistant Director of the Langley Research
Center with responsibility for all aeronautical research; and in
1970 was named Director for Aeronautics. Mr. Loftin, on assignment
from NASA, served as Assistant for Aeronautics in the office of
the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and
Development from July 1971 to July 1972. He was chief Aeronautical
Engineer at Langley from July 1972 until his retirement from NASA
in December 1973. Mr. Loftin is now actively engaged in teaching,
writing, consulting, and research studies.
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- Mr. Loftin is the author of numerous
technical papers dealing with various aspects of aeronautics, and
has published a highly regarded textbook dealing with aircraft
design and development.
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- He is a member of the American Aviation
Historical Society, and the Experimental Aircraft Association, and
is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics
and Astronautics. He has received the Langley Research Center
Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership and the NASA
Exceptional Service Medal for his significant contributions to
aeronautical development. He has also been cited by the Air Force
and the FAA for contributions to aeronautics.
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- Mr. Loftin resides in Newport News,
Virginia.
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