Jim Richmond

It is with great sadness that NFFS announces the passing of  Jim Richmond on December 15, 2023

Over the past nine decades Jim created innovations for both full scale and model aviation, won numerous awards, inspired new generations of aviators, engineers, and educators, and was one of the remaining few World War II veterans.

In Lieu of flowers, Mariana Richmond has asked that people who wish to remember Jim,
donate to the Jim Richmond Indoor Free Flight Fund HERE.

Jim, who turned 96 in November, became interested in aviation at the age of five, winning model aviation contests as young as 15. He would later win many other regional, national, and international awards to include becoming the Jet Speed Champion at the 1949 Plymouth International Model Plane Contest. Jim later earned eight Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Indoor World Championships as well as three silver and two bronze medals. Jim received four Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) national indoor aeromodeling championships and was the United States indoor grand champion in 1988. He has set eight world indoor records and is the current holder of the Category III open world indoor records for F1D in aeromodeling.

These awards are not only a testimony to Jim’s aviation skills and good sportsmanship but are largely due to his numerous aeronautical innovations and contributions. It’s hard to briefly summarize the engineering contributions and the positive impact on aviation made by Jim, but below are a few highlights. Jim introduced extensive streamlining techniques, such as significant reduction to the frontal areas. Jim introduced asymmetrical wing design in F2 aeromodeling speed models to take advantage of the lower air speed on the inside of the travel circle. Jim was instrumental in the use of boron fiber to increase the stiffness and strength of the balsa model structure with little or no increase in weight. Jim innovated new propeller designs leading to numerous awards. And Jim led the aeromodeling industry by adopting carbon fiber and epoxy composites and designs.

Many aerosport competitors are reluctant to share design to engineering techniques, but Jim was happy to share his innovations and encouraged others to do the same. Jim recognized open collaboration would further advance aeronautical designs, make the USA more competitive in global competitions, inspire new innovations, and make aviation more accessible to a new generation of aviators and engineers. Jim set the example for sharing that has now become the standard in the aeromodeling community.

 

For example, Jim invented a new variable diameter (vd) propeller. This propeller was able to produce the needed thrust to climb slowly at a high torque with minimal energy loss for indoor free flight model aircraft. Jim engineered the propeller system in such a manner that as the torque decreased, the propeller would “fold” so that the model could fly efficiently at the normal torque value. This innovation meant that the climb could be controlled without wasting energy resulting in flight times that increased by over 5%. In 1984 Jim brought his vd propeller to the World Championship in Nagoya, Japan which led to him winning the FAI indoor free flight World Championship as well as the next three championships in 1986, 1988, and 1990. Jim selflessly shared all the details of his vd propeller freely giving out detailed plans and construction details.  In recognition of the ingenious design and his openness, Jim was awarded the Toyotomi Cup, an original bronze work nicknamed “Winged Victory.”  The aircraft with the vd propeller that Jim flew for those four consecutive indoor World Champions was generously donated to the National Model Aviation Museum, the world’s largest model aviation museum. In addition to frequently making available detailed plans and writing technical build articles, Jim advocated for easier access to build materials. Jim worked to make material sources, such as quality balsa and rubber, more accessible and known to all fliers.

Thanks to Jim, making these resources more readily available allowed for more entrants into the world aviation. For those who could not afford or gain access to these materials, Jim and his wife, Mariana, donated a great deal of the new materials. In addition to supporting US competitors and youth, donations were sent to aerosport model competitors in Eastern Europe to include Romanian junior team fliers.

 

In the US, Jim mentored many youths interested in aviation. Jim was active with Science Olympiad introducing aviation to hundreds of youths through aviation-related programs and competitions. At the AMA National Championships, Jim regularly took part in the annual Pro-Am event where a beginning flier is paired with an experienced flier. Jim’s mentorship goes beyond simply helping a young aviator win an aviation award, Jim volunteerism has inspired a new generation of aviators and engineers. For example, Jim mentored high school student Brett Sanborn whose aeromodeling credentials now include runner up 2004 junior world championship, USA senior team member 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016, indoor duration senior world champion in 2018, and 2022 World Champion. Thanks to Jim, Brett graduated from Purdue University to become an accomplished aeronautical engineer.

Jim directly made many significant contributions to advance the full-scale and military aviation industries. His passion for model aviation led to a career in engineering. Jim worked for various engineering firms including at the General Time Corp where he designed military arming devices for missiles. Jim also worked for Curtis Automotive Devices where he designed gages and fixtures used in the manufacture of Jet aircraft engines. During Jim’s successful engineering career, he authored 36 U.S. patents.

Perhaps Jim’s most honorable contribution was his service during World War II. With World War II in full swing, Jim had the courage and love for our country to enlist in the U.S. Navy out of high school. He served on the USS Mount McKinley and the USS 419.  While serving our country, Jim also took advantage of educational opportunities with the Navy.  He earned a year of accelerated electronics school and became an Electronic Technicians Mate III class. Jim was honorably discharged in 1948 and is one of the few remaining World War II veterans still alive today.

Jim’s patriotism continued in his civilian life. In addition to engineering military components during his career, Jim proudly represented the USA in the global sport of aeromodeling. Over his aeromodeling career, Jim has been a USA team member at 15 FAI World Championships placing first eight times, set eight indoor world records, and earned 61 national indoor records.

Jim’s accomplishments have been recognized through dozens of prestigious awards including the AMA Distinguished Service Award, AMA Hall of Fame, National Free Flight Society (NFFS) Hall of Fame, Seven NFFS Plan of the Year statuses, FAI’s Paul Tissandier Diploma, and FAI Alphonse Penaud Diploma. The Alphonse Penaud Diploma is the highest model aeronautic award that only a few Americans have been honored. In 2023, Jim was inducted in the inaugural class of FAI CIAM Legends and awarded  the NAA Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award.

Jim was a gentleman, a sportsman, a fierce competitor and most of all  a friend and an inspiration to generations of modelers. He will be missed by all that 
ever that had the pleasure to interact with this true LEGEND!

Leo Pilachowski & Dave Lindley

Jim’s Nomination to the NFFS Free Flight Hall of Fame
Jim’s Nomination to the AMA Hall of Fame