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James Raisbeck is an aerodynamicist and entrepreneur possessing a broad understanding of airplane technologies and their economic implications on airplane operation. Viewing an aircraft as a holistic design, he sees reductions in drag, Increases in lift, better takeoff, climb, cruise and landing performance along with simplification of operations, improvements in payload capability, extensions of service life, and many other factors as an exquisite compromise to be optimized to better serve the airplanes' missions and the needs of their owners and operators.
James started his association with airplanes in the Air Force as a flight engineer. After graduating from Purdue with a degree in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, he joined Boeing Airplane Company in 1961 as a research aerodynamicist. James was part of a team that designed and tested an internally blown trailing edge flap system on the prototype 707 to fly at speeds as slow as 60 knots. The aerodynamic insights from this program became the basis for low speed configurations of many subsequent Boeing airplanes.
In late 1969, James left Boeing to become President and Chief Engineer of the Robertson Aircraft Corporation. There he and a team of former Boeing Engineers designed and completed the Robertson STOL design systems for single and twin engine Cessnas and Pipers.
Raisbeck Engineering, Inc. was founded in 1973 and continues to this day near Boeing Field, conceiving, engineering, designing, flight-testing, certifying and manufacturing performance improvement systems for the world's business and commercial jet-powered aircraft.
James has influenced many business aircraft designs, including: design and production of the first supercritical wings to enter service in the United States for Rockwell International Sabreliner 65-series; improved wings, flap systems, and drag-reducing fuselage stowage lockers for the Learjet 35/36/31/25/24/23 series; and performance enhancement systems for the entire Beechcraft King Air family.
More than 4,000 business jets and turboprops are flying with Raisbeck Systems, sold and installed worldwide thru a network of Raisbeck Engineering Dealers. Raisbeck's products are also on the Hawker/Beechcraft King Air production line in Wichita, Kansas.
Current research and development projects are underway at Raisbeck Engineering's Seattle facilities, and include application of Raisbeck's ZR LITE drag reduction systems on other business jet types.
Raisbeck Engineering has also been active in the world's commercial airline fleet. 1996 saw the introduction of the Raisbeck Stage 3 Noise Reduction Systems for the Boeing 727, adopted fleetwide by American Airlines, TWA, Pan Am, TAME, and others. Aerodynamic innovation allowed Stage 3 noise compliance without costly engine modifications, saving 727 operators several million dollars on each airplane. Anticipating the need for improved aviation security, in 2000 Raisbeck began developing bulletproof doors and bulkheads for Boeing 737s and 757s. Production delivery to airlines began just 4 weeks after 9/11, and was then turned over to Boeing.
Mr. Raisbeck is an AIAA Associate Fellow. In 1979, he was honored by Purdue University, receiving their Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, and again in 1999 with Purdue's Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award. That same year he was honored with the AIAA Commercial Aviation Technical Achievement Award. In 2000, he was awarded Professional Pilot Magazine's Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2002, The NBAA awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award. Seattle's Hope Heart Institute honored James and his wife Sherry in 2003 with their “Wings of Hope” annual award for leadership in philanthropy, and in May 2005, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Purdue University. In May 2007, the Raisbecks were honored with the 69th annual Seattle/King County First Citizen Award recognizing their extraordinary philanthropy and commitment to local communities, both in human services and the arts. The Museum of Flight in October 2007 honored James with entry into the Pacific Northwest Pathfinders Group, recognizing his lifetime contributions to aviation.
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