James A. Franklin *70

Jack died Jan 22, 2020, of complications of Parkinson’s disease in Sunnyvale, Calif. 

Born Sept. 20, 1938, Jack earned a BSE from the University of Kansas in 1961 and a Ph.D. in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Princeton in 1970. He joined NASA Ames as a member of the Flight Dynamics and Controls Branch, eventually becoming chief. When he retired in 2002, Jack had become internationally known through his theoretical and experimental work on V/STOL (vertical or short takeoff and landing) control and flying qualities.

Using an approximation of the speed/flight-path angle equations of motion to posit different responses to altitude and thrust inputs depending on aerodynamic characteristics and quantifying the effects of the differences on flying qualities, Jack conducted manned experiments in the flight simulator for advanced aircraft. He expanded research to include helicopter dynamics and control, which included transferring a CH-47 research fly-by-wire helicopter to Ames. 

A control system that Jack designed was selected by the Naval Air Systems Command as the basis for what is now the Lockheed Martin F-35B. He authored an AIAA book on flying qualities and a history of flight research at Ames. He taught a graduate course in flying qualities at Stanford.

Jack is survived by his wife, Marie; children Diana and Chris; and three grandchildren.

Graduate alumni memorials are prepared by the APGA.