FRANK E. PICKERING (1931-2009)

BY JAN C. SCHILLING

FRANK EDWIN PICKERING was born on Nov. 22, 1931, in Stonington, Maine, to Lawrence and Christine Pickering. He grew up in Deer Isle, Maine, where he graduated from high school in 1949. Frank received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine in 1953. Upon graduation, he joined the General Electric (GE) Company in Lynn, Massachusetts. He received a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University in 1958. He and his wife Clara (née Howard), also from Deer Isle, made their home in Danvers, Massachusetts. They had a son and daughter, who also made their homes in Danvers with their spouses and five children. Frank died on March 3, 2009, at the age of 77.

Frank’s early years at GE were spent in the design and testing of jet engine components. He rose quickly through the ranks and in 1959 became design manager for the T58/T64/J85 compressor. In 1962, he took charge as manager of T64 and advanced T64 turbomachinery design, later leading to the entire T64, TF34, and J101 engineering operation. Frank and his team were tasked with developing the TF34 for the Navy antisubmarine aircraft, which they demonstrated through flight test to win the contract. Shortly thereafter, Frank received another challenge — to develop the J101 engine for the U.S. Air Force F16/F17 fighter competition. Soon after that competition, the U.S. Navy launched the F/A18 program. The GE engine offering became the F404 with a winning contract. In 1975 Frank became engineering operations manager for the Lynn Engineering Division, which, in addition to the previously mentioned engines, also developed the T700 that powers numerous U.S. Army helicopter applications. In 1979 Frank assumed the role of vice president and general manager of the Engineering Division.

Between 1979 and 1991, Frank directed the GE engineering team’s development of military and commercial engines, including large and small commercial (CF6, CFM56, CT7) and military engines (F101, F110, T700), the GE36 Unducted Fan, and the YF120 Advanced Tactical Fighter engine. He initiated and led advances in engineering, materials, manufacturing, and quality technology. Those advances included mainframe computing power, computer-integrated manufacturing cells, electronic beam clean melt titanium, and X-ray technology for component and material inspection. Frank’s last assignment before retirement in 1992 was chief engineer. Frank will always be remembered for supporting the engineering organization with the right tools to enable completion of timely and challenging tasks. He always wanted to know how he could personally contribute to the team’s success. He was soft spoken but a task master who was always willing to listen.

Frank’s publications include “Turbine engines in the 80’s” (with J.-P. Frignac, William W. Wagner, and J.W. Witherspoon; Astronautics and Aeronautics, June 1980) and “A Decade of Progress in Turbomachinery Design and Development” (SAE Technical Paper 851989, 1985), among others.

Frank was a member of the National Research Council’s Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. He served as a member of the Congressional Aeronautical Advisory Committee from 1986-87. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the American Helicopter Society, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the National Aeronautic Association, and the Aerospace Industries Association Aerospace Technical Council. He was general chairman for the AIAA/ASME/SAE Joint Propulsion Conference in July 1988 and chairman of the Propulsion Panel in 1983 for the U.S. Army Aviation Man Tech Conference III.

In 1990 Frank was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. In 1995 he was inducted into the General Electric Propulsion Hall of Fame. He was also an elected fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

He was recipient of the following awards: the General Electric Donald F. “Truly” Warner Award (1969), the SAE Cliff Garrett Turbomachinery Engineering Award (1985), the AIAA Airbreathing Propulsion Award (1986), and the Distinguished Engineering and Block M Awards from the University of Maine.

After retiring, Frank served as a consultant to GE Aircraft Engines and Power Systems, the President’s Development Council for the University of Maine, and the House Association for the Sigma Chi Fraternity Chapter at the University of Maine; president of the University of Maine Class of 1953; and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Maple Street Congregational Church and the University of Maine Senior Alumni Executive Committee. The Maple Street Congregational Church and University of Maine were very important parts of his life, and Deer Isle held a special place in his heart. Frank enjoyed spending time with Clara and their family. His other interests included saltwater fishing, boating, the Red Sox, and hunting. He was an overall sports enthusiast.

Family always came first for Frank. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Clara, and their son, Laurence Pickering (Betty), and daughter, Diane Belanger (Roland); five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.