John Roncz

John Gregory Roncz (born 1948) is an American inventor, businessman, computer expert, book author, and aerodynamicist.

Biography

Roncz was born in Indiana. A musical prodigy, he had mastered the violin by age 5, and was competing in international piano competitions by age 11. His first 8 years of schooling were in a private Catholic-run school. He then joined a tiny private high school (seminary) on the Notre Dame campus, where he learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.^[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in Government & International Studies, and then worked as a carpenter in a mobile home plant. He briefly pursued a career in abstract painting, then started Gemini Sales, supplying steel to the metal-stamping industry.

Aeronautics career

During his college study, Roncz attempted to study the seminal airfoil-section reference book Theory of Wing Sections (1949). He had long been interested in airplanes, and realized the formulas in that book would allow him to improve the design of airfoil sections. However, their complexity deterred him until 1975, when he purchased a computer kit and assembled a Radio Shack TRS-80. He quickly realized this radical new invention could be used to manipulate the airfoil equations, and immersed himself in the world of computational fluid dynamics.

Roncz was particularly interested in the world of laminar flow, that elusive concept which promises greatly reduced wind drag if it could be achieved and maintained in a practical operational situation. Of his own volition, he analyzed the canard surface of Burt Rutan's homebuilt airplane design, the Long-EZ. He was not acquainted with Rutan, but he sent his analysis to the then-famous airplane designer. Rutan verified the analysis with an airfoil specialist at Rockwell, then contacted Roncz. The two have since collaborated on some 20 designs, 17 of which have been constructed.^[2]

While pursuing his early business interests after college, Roncz learned to fly, and bought his first airplane (Rockwell 112A), and maintained a part-time career as a cargo pilot in twin-engine propeller aircraft.^[3]

Roncz's first public collaboration with Rutan with the Beech Starship prototype. Possibly his most notable contribution to Rutan's designs is his involvement in Voyager, the incredibly light and incredibly efficient twin-engine craft which flew nonstop/non-refueled around the world. The canard which Roncz computed for that airplane had the unheard-of maximum lift/drag ratio of 132:1 His improved airfoil shape for the two propellers increased their efficiency by 4%. He crafted the airfoil surfaces to nearly eliminate airflow contamination by bug-spattering. The resulting airflow approaching the airfoil segregated small insects below the surface and heavier insects above the surface. Post-flight examination found only 3 insect carcasses splattered on the Voyager's wings.

Roncz's computations were used extensively in Rutan's Tuna, intended for Beechcraft as a VLJ demonstrator. However, Beechcraft's deteriorating financial situation in the 1990s doomed the concept, and only the first prototype was built.

Roncz has contributed to the design of 53 aircraft to date,^[4] including the amphibious ICON A5. His most recent assignment is the clean-sheet design being developed by the twenty-first-century resurrection of Windecker Aircraft Company.^[5] He was responsible for the aerodynamic design and performance of Rutan's Global Flyer, which Steve Fossett flew solo around the world in 2005. He has designed sixteen propellers and wind turbines.

Roncz designed the radical wing-sailed catamaran used in the 1988 America's Cup yacht competition. He has contributed the shape design to a WSC racing car.^[6]

Honors and recognitions

Roncz has been profiled in Smithsonian's Air & Space magazine. He contributed 12 articles to EAA's Sport Aviation magazine. He has presented lectures at 8 universities. He was honored as an "Old Master" by Purdue University. He has received the Stanley Dzik memorial trophy, the Honor Roll of Professional Pilot magazine, the Medal of Achievement from Sailing World magazine, the Professor August Raspet award, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering Gold Medal. John served as a “Distinguished Lecturer” for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In November 2000 he was honored by His Royal Highness Prince Philip at a ceremony in London, where he was presented with the Prince’s Australian Medal for the design of the Eagle.^[7]

He has written one book, An Engineer’s Guide to the Spirit World.

He has received at least one patent for his design work.^[8]

Notes

References

• Wing Man (David Noland, Air & Space, December 1990/January 1991, pp. 34–40)
• Independent Spiritualists John Roncz
• linkedin profile. John Roncz
• John Roncz - Career Perspective of a Genius Aerodynamicist (Fiero)
• Wingtip for a General Aviation Aircraft (patent application) - John Roncz