Page 29 - Index

NEWS ROUNDUP

siast watching full-scale aircraft crash tests at Deer Valley Airport Engineering Re-
in Phoenix, Arizona. This history-making work by the Aviation search organiza-
Safety & Engineering Research Division of Flight the Safety Foun- tion announced
dation provided Harry the chance to develop a crashworthy fuel funding was
system and safer fuel tanks. available to
“For me, it was the beginning of a long career in aviation safety develop a
and crew survivability. At the time, I was in awe of this prece- crashworthy fuel
dent-setting work and particularly Harry’s vision to design safer system, he spent
fuel tanks, preventing postcrash fire and needless deaths. the next 7 years
“I found Harry to be one of the most dedicated, hard-working, designing safer
innovative professionals I had ever met. He had a real vision and fuel tanks and
followed it through to the point of worldwide recognition of his crash testing
excellence in advancing the state of the art in aviation safety and their perfor-
crashworthy design of fuel systems. mance. With the
“Harry became a mentor to encourage my interest in aviation installation of
safety and particularly what impacted crewmembers. With my his team’s new
continuing interest in accident investigation, Harry even invited fuel system,
me to speak at Arizona State University’s Crash Survival Inves- deaths in fires
tigators School. It was a wonderful opportunity considering the after Army hel- President Del Gandio presents ISASI’s Award
of Merit to Dr. Harry Robertson.
significance of the training. icopter crashes
“Harry’s encouragement, his leadership, his vision all played a were virtually eliminated.
role in advancing my career in cabin safety. At the time, I had no “In recent years, Robertson Fuel Systems has improved on the
idea I was associating with a ‘legend.’ But I will forever treasure that original Robbie Tank of the 1970s with the addition of a magne-
history and Harry’s longtime friendship. He will never be forgotten. to-activated resistive fuel quantity transmitter that protects the
Thank you, Harry.” tank from damage in an accident. First responders such as the
“Harry was the consummate professional and gentleman,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Oklahoma City
said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Police Department are among those that have upgraded their
Museum on its website. “His expertise and willingness to take on fleets, incorporating the new crash-resistant fuel tanks. Rob-
safety challenges important to the future of aviation is commend- ertson safety technology is now integrated into military ground
able and appreciated. He was a true visionary and leader…and he vehicles, such as Humvees, as well as high-performance racecars.
made a positive difference by saving thousands of lives through his As Robertson told the press, ‘There’s no reason for someone to
safety-focused innovations. His love of flight led him to participate survive a crash and then die in a fire.’
as an examiner in military aviation accidents and particularly in “His lifesaving contribution as an engineer is only part of
postcrash fires. Robertson theorized that he could design and his contribution to aviation safety. Robertson co-authored five
develop a fuel system that would survive upon impact, thus saving editions of a leading safety manual, The U.S. Army’s Crash Survival
the lives of many people who might otherwise perish. Robertson’s Design Guide. He continued his aviation safety and engineering
career reflects a lifetime of dedication to aviation safety and service research as a professor at Arizona State University’s College of
to his fellow airmen.” Engineering and Applied Sciences, where he co-founded the
“ERAU joins the aviation community to mourn the passing of first-of-its-kind Crash Survival Investigators School.
Trustee Emeritus S. Harry Robertson. Jr. (honorary Ph.D. 1972), “On the ERAU Prescott Campus, his donation launched the
an aviation legend and great friend to ERAU,” the university an- Robertson Safety Institute and innovative Robertson Aircraft
nounced. Crash Investigation Laboratory. Over the past three decades,
“Robertson was an engineer and inventor. His Robbie Tank, a he made gifts to support scholarships; athletics; the College of
self-sealing fuel tank, is credited with saving the lives of thousands Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach,
of pilots by minimizing the risk of aircraft fires. His contribution to Florida; and the College of Aviation in Prescott and Embry-Rid-
pilot safety led to his 2011 enshrinement in the National Aviation dle Worldwide. His generosity helped the university to build the
Hall of Fame. STEM Education Center in Prescott, the Henderson Welcome
“Robertson was a lifelong student of safety, pioneering crash Center, and expand the library, archives, and ROTC facilities. A
investigation. A pilot since his teens, he earned a business degree. student effort to refine electric car design was close to his heart.
Helping clean up a crash site after the mid-air collision of two “Robertson valued his long relationship with Embry-Riddle, as
airliners heightened his interest in flight safety. During a stint in the an advisor and benefactor. Most of all, he appreciated his
U.S. Air Force, he served as a military pilot and investigated six ac- opportunity to reach students who would continue his commit-
cidents. After leaving active-duty service, he flew with the Arizona ment to safer skies. He expressed his feelings about the university
Army and Air National Guard. to the alumni magazine, ‘They have allowed my contributions to
“When the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety and get into the hands of students who are the future of aerospace.’”

October-December 2021 ISASI Forum • 29