Distinguished Alumni Awards
Each year the faculty of the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics recognizes outstanding contributions to aerospace engineering and the nation's progress in air and space by electing a Distinguished Alumnus.
2009 Distinguished Alumnus
Louis B. Gratzer ,
BS '44,
MS '51,
PhD '68
As Senior Vice President of Aviation Partners, Inc. (API), Dr. Gratzer is responsible for the product development of aircraft performance enhancement systems for applications from business aircraft to jet transports. His patented Blended Winglet concept was first successfully applied in 1990 to the Gulfstream II business jet aircraft. Over 120 of these modified aircraft are still in active use. He also patented the Spiroid wing tip device which has shown superior drag reduction characteristics in flight tests on the Gulfstream II.
Since retiring from Boeing Commercial Airplane Company in 1986, Dr. Gratzer served five years as Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he also taught prior to joining Boeing in 1953. This period included consultation for the NASA Langley Research Center in areas related to aircraft conceptual design and aerodynamic methodology. Also during this time he consulted on independent projects, including small aircraft development and the 1987 America's Cup Winner, "Stars and Stripes."
While at Boeing (1953-1986), Dr. Gratzer directed aerodynamic research in high-speed wings, drag reduction, and high-lift systems, the latter involving flight research on boundary layer control using the 707 prototype. He also contributed to the aerodynamic design and development of the KC-135, 707, 727 and 747 airplanes.
From 1969-1973, Dr. Gratzer was Chief Engineer, Aerodynamics Technology, responsible for the aerodynamics of all Boeing commercial airplanes. His most recent assignment was Manager of Special Projects in Preliminary Design, which included direction of NASA contracts involving laminar flow technology application studies and flight integration for energy efficient transports, including advanced turboprop and laminar flow aircraft. Dr. Gratzer is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, in which he has held offices and national committee assignments. He is also a member of the Washington Society of Professional Engineers and Sigma Xi. He has contributed significantly to the body of aeronautical knowledge through theses, publications and seminars. He holds patents on a number of aerodynamic and propulsion system devices.