This domain was the professional site of Dr. William H. Heiser
— Professor Emeritus of the United States Air Force Academy, AIAA
Honorary Fellow, and co-author of the AIAA Education Series textbooks
Aircraft Engine Design and
Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion. He died on
26 September 2022, aged 88.
His work at Pratt & Whitney introduced the computational
methods behind “controlled-vortex” turbine design, first applied
in the JT9D — the world’s first high-bypass turbofan, and the
engine of the Boeing 747. He served eight years as Chief Scientist at
the U.S. Air Force’s two largest propulsion laboratories, and
was the Academy’s first civilian full professor and first Professor
Emeritus.
(AIAA
obituary, Aerospace America, December 2022.)
The pages below are that site, restored from the original files as
published in 2000 and kept here as a record of his work.
About
Reproduced as published in 2000, in the present tense of that time.
This web site is operated for the professional and business purposes of
Dr. William H. Heiser, an eminent worldwide authority on
airbreathing propulsion and energy conversion. The résumé that
follows documents his productive career of high level positions and
experiences in academia, government, industry, and professional societies.
The list of Selected Technical Publications illustrates the breadth of his
interests and contributions.
Dr. Heiser is currently engaged as engineering consultant in many
capacities, including chairing or participating in government committees,
directing short courses, preparing expert witness statements for litigation,
and co-authoring a new edition of the AIAA Education Series textbook
Aircraft Engine Design.
An outstanding career of leadership in the research and
development of propulsion and energy conversion technology, featuring a
balance of experience in business, government, and education.
Experience
1996–present
Professor Emeritus
Department of Aeronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy · Colorado Springs, CO
Chairman of several standing aircraft engine technical committees, including the F-22, the Joint Strike Fighter, and Propulsion Product Group Manager Executive Independent Review Teams. Member of several national technical review committees, including the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Academy of Engineering and the DoD ODDR&E Technical Area Review and Assessment Team. Director of airbreathing propulsion short courses presented for the USAF, the USN, the NASA Glenn Research Center, and on behalf of the AIAA. Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge Whittle Laboratory during January–June 1998. The first civilian Professor Emeritus of the USAF Academy.
1993–1996
Professor
Department of Aeronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy · Colorado Springs, CO
The first full professor contracted in the new faculty civilianization program. Responsible for teaching upper level courses in airbreathing propulsion and expanding opportunities for related research. Member of the Faculty Personnel Council and the Faculty Forum.
1989–1993
Distinguished Visiting Professor
Department of Aeronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy · Colorado Springs, CO
Responsible for teaching upper level courses in aircraft design and hypersonic flight, and principal author of the successful AIAA Education Series textbook Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion. Directing the expansion of activities associated with aircraft jet propulsion into such areas as research and sponsored short courses.
1988–1989
Visiting Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California · Davis, CA
Responsible for teaching the propulsion track in the combined aeronautical/mechanical engineering curriculum, including courses in advanced thermodynamics, gas turbine power cycles, and aircraft engine design. Managed the development of a new department Industrial Affiliates Program.
1988–1989
Aerospace Propulsion Specialist
Roseville, CA
Consultant for the National AeroSpace Plane Joint Program Office and the Aerojet TechSystems Company. Course director and/or lecturer for AIAA and ASME, and such universities as UCLA and UTSI.
1985–1988
Vice President / Director
Aerojet General Corporation · Sacramento, CA
Directed the establishment of the new Aerojet Propulsion Research Institute, a world-class, visionary, company sponsored organization dedicated to the pursuit of a broad spectrum of breakthrough propulsion technologies for the 10 to 30 year future.
1983–1985
Distinguished Visiting Professor
Department of Aeronautics, U.S. Air Force Academy · Colorado Springs, CO
Taught the fundamentals and design principles of airbreathing engines and co-authored the popular AIAA Education Series textbook Aircraft Engine Design. Supported the successful advocacy of a general curriculum revision and a major expansion and modernization of the Department of Aeronautics Laboratory.
1978–1983
Manager, Advanced Technology
General Electric Aircraft Engine Group · Cincinnati, OH
Directed all advanced technology work in the areas of rotating machinery, combustion, engine controls, acoustics, and engine installations. Responsible for significant progress in the computer-aided design of compressors and turbines, understanding of stagnation stall, digital electronic controls, reduction of engine noise, and the improvement of nacelle design and integration. Also served as head of technology and operational planning for the Vice President of Engineering.
1975–1978
Chief Scientist
Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center · Arnold Air Force Station, TN
Principal assistant and advisor to the Center Commander on scientific and technical matters. Contributed to the solution of many facility problems, participated in the first serious competition for the Center support contract, and a key figure in all advocacy activities leading to Congressional approval for construction of the Aeropropulsion Systems Test Facility (ASTF), the most advanced aircraft engine ground test facility in the free world.
1971–1975
Chief Scientist
Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory · Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
Principal assistant and advisor to the Laboratory Commander on scientific and technical matters, and director of the in-house research program. Contributed to basic research, exploratory and advanced development of airbreathing, electric, and exotic propulsion, fuels and lubricants, and aerospace power. Created an innovative team to attack basic problems of the airborne high-power laser program. Headed the investigation of many engine failures, leading to a new, usage-based, durability-centered, production development process and much more reliable aircraft engines.
1966–1971
Head of Turbine Technology
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft · East Hartford, CT
Directed all aerodynamic and heat transfer research and development as well as component testing for aircraft gas turbines. Introduced modern computational methods for compressible potential flows, boundary layers, and axi-symmetric flows. This made it possible to confidently design “controlled-vortex” turbines, which produce more power per stage at high efficiency and have become the standard of industry.
1962–1966
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, M.I.T. · Cambridge, MA
Taught on both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and carried out research on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and gas dynamics. Scientific assistant for the J.A. Shercliff / National Committee for Fluid Mechanics Films movie Magnetohydrodynamics, and the Stanley Kubrick / MGM movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Authored one of the most fundamental and frequently cited papers in its field, “Thrust Augmentation.”
Concurrent appointments
Chairman, F-22 / JSF Engine Development Program EIRT
Chairman, USAF Propulsion Product Group Manager EIRT
Member, DARPA Independent Review Group
Professor Emeritus, United States Air Force Academy
Fellow of the AAAS, the AIAA, and the ASME
Education
1962
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (PhDME)
1958
Braunschweig Technische Hochschule, FRG
1957
California Institute of Technology (MSME)
1956
The Cooper Union (BSME)
Honors and awards
1999
Summerfield Book Award for the best book recently published by the AIAA, with D.T. Pratt, for the textbook Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion
1996
Outstanding Career Civilian Service Award
1996
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award in recognition of distinguished performance as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board
1995
U.S. Air Force Academy Nominee for the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
1990
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
1989
Magnar Ronning Teaching Award as the outstanding teacher in the UC Davis College of Engineering
1988
AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of jet engine technology
1988
AIAA Sacramento Section Distinguished Service Award
1987
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award in recognition of distinguished performance as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board
1985
Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
1984
Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
1974
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award in recognition of superior performance as Chief Scientist of the Aero Propulsion Laboratory
1968
ASME Gas Turbine Power Award for the outstanding gas turbine technical paper of the previous year, “Compound-Compressible Nozzle Flow,” written with A. Bernstein and C. Hevenor
1960
Ford Foundation Fellowship, M.I.T.
1957
Fulbright Exchange Grant to the Braunschweig Technische Hochschule, FRG
1956
Howard Hughes Master of Science Fellowship, C.I.T.
Selected technical publications
In chronological order.
"The Behavior of Air Bearings in Magnetic Tape Transport Systems," IBM Product Development Laboratory Report, September 1959.
"Some Preliminary Experiments Concerning the Effects of Strongly Distorted Inlet Flow on the Performance of an Axial Compressor," with F.E. Marble, Cal Tech, AFOSR ARDC Contract AF 49 (683)-497, Final Report, June 1960.
"Axial Field Effects in a Magnetically Driven Shock Tube," Research Laboratory for Electronics Report TR408, MIT, March 29, 1963.
Appendix in Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Waves, by J.E. Anderson, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1963, pp. 211-220. This textbook was also translated into Russian and published in 1968.
"Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Waves and Magnetically Driven Shock Tubes," The Physics of Fluids, Vol. 7, No. 1, January 1964, pp. 143-145.
"Influence of Magnetic Fields Upon Separation," AIAA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 12, December 1964, pp. 2217-2218.
"Analysis of a Magnetohydrodynamic Ejector," ASME Paper 65-APM-25, presented June 7, 1965 at Catholic University, Washington, DC, and Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 32, Series E, No. 3, September 1965, pp. 680-683.
"A Simple Demonstration of the Hartmann Layer," with J.A. Shercliff, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 22, Part 4, August 1965, pp. 701-707.
"Compound-Compressible Nozzle Flow," with A. Bernstein and C. Hevenor, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Report SMR 4131, October 1965.
"Thrust Augmentation," ASME Paper 66-GT-116, presented March 15, 1966 at the Gas Turbine Conference in Zurich, Switzerland, and Journal of Engineering for Power, Vol. 89, Series A, No. 1, January 1967, pp. 75-82. This very general and theoretical study used the fundamental laws of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics to establish a logical order for existing thrust augmenting devices and to provide a means for the evaluation of future devices. In particular, the upper limit of performance was determined and compared with the behavior of practical thrust augmenting devices. According to an authoritative survey, this is one of the most frequently cited references in its field.
"A Modified Pohlhausen Velocity Profile for MHD Boundary-Layer Problems." with W.J. Bornhorst, AIAA Journal, Vol. 4, No. 6, June 1966, pp. 1139-1141.
"Compound-Compressible Nozzle Flow," with A. Bernstein and C. Hevenor, AIAA Paper 66-663, presented June 17, 1966 at the Second Propulsion Joint Specialist Conference in Colorado Springs, CO, and Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 34, Series E, No. 3, September 1967, pp. 548-554. Modern propulsion engines often exhaust several different streams of compressible gas side-by-side through a single nozzle. This paper presented, for the first time, a one-dimensional theory based upon fundamental relationships that both clarified the understanding and provided a simple method for predicting the behavior of such flows. The theory was confirmed for a wide range of real applications by comparison with three-dimensional computer calculations and with test results from a typical two-flow nozzle. The paper received the 1968 ASME Gas Turbine Power Award for the outstanding gas turbine technical paper of the previous year.
"Magnetohydrodynamic Experiments Using Transparent Electrolytes," with C.R. Conn, Bulletin of Mechanical Engineering Education, Vol. 6, January 1967, pp. 85-88.
"Theoretical Analysis of Vaneless Compressor Performance," with W.M. Presz, Jr., Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Report SMR 4353, March 30, 1967.
"Unsteady Boundary Layer Analysis for Two-Dimensional Laminar Flow," with W.M. Presz, Jr., Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Report MR 1036, April 26, 1967.
"The Effect of a Strong Longitudinal Magnetic Field on the Flow of Mercury in a Circular Tube," with F.W. Fraim, Project Squid Technical Report MIT-41-P, October 1967, and Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 33, Part 2, 1968, pp. 397-413. In this research the classical pipe-flow experiments of Reynolds were reproduced with the added influence of large induced magnetohydrodynamic forces intended to have an important influence on the transition from laminar to turbulent flow and upon the structure of any turbulence. The data revealed that relevant stability theories vastly over-estimated the stabilizing effect of the magnetic field, and that the combined effect of viscosity and magnetic field determined the transition point and the friction factor of the flow.
"Wave Propagation in Liquid-Filled Elastic Tubes," with H.W. Nicholson and J.H. Olsen, Bulletin of Mechanical Engineering Education, Vol. 6, December 1967, pp. 371-376.
"Unsteady Boundary Layer Analysis for Two-Dimensional Laminar Flow," with W.M. Presz, Jr., Zeitschrift fur Flugwissenschaften, Vol. 16, No. 2, February 1968, pp. 33-39.
"Use of Hydrogen Bubble Technique in Observing Unsteady Boundary Layers," with S.L. Weinberg, ASME Paper 68-FE-35, presented May 8, 1968 at the Symposium on Unsteady Flow in Philadelphia, PA.
"Systematic Evaluation of Cooled Turbine Efficiency," with L.R. Anderson, ASME Paper 69-GT-63, presented March 13, 1969 at the Gas Turbine Conference in Cleveland, OH.
"Axisymmetric One-Dimensional Compressible Flow - Theory and Applications," with L.R. Anderson and J.C. Jackson, ASME Paper 70-GT-82, presented May 27, 1970 at the Gas Turbine Conference in Brussels, Belgium, and Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 37, Series E, No. 4, December 1970, pp. 914-923.
"Investigation of a Highly Loaded Two-Stage Fan-Drive Turbine; Interim Technical Status Report," with H. Welna and D. Dahlberg, AFAPL Report TR 69-92, Confidential, Vol. 1, June 1968, Vol. 5, June 1970.
"Design and Philosophy of High Stage Loading Turbines," with H. Welna and W. Tall, Confidential, presented June 1971 at the 7th Propulsion Joint Specialist Conference in Colorado Springs, CO.
"Highly Loaded Axial Turbines," presented March 28, 1972 at the ASME Fluids Engineering Conference in San Francisco, CA. The three preceding reports summarize a seminal, successful effort to achieve a quantum leap in the performance of aircraft gas turbines carried out over a period of three years using a combination of company and government funding. The essence of the program was to harness the most advanced axisymmetric streamline, cascade potential flow, and cascade airfoil boundary layer finite difference methods in order to provide certain design control and tailor the turbine passages to provide high power with low losses. The acid test of this approach was a realistic, high stage loading turbine design that achieved an efficiency of 92.7% (about 4% higher than a conventional design) on the first try. The final proof of its value is that "controlled-vortex" turbines are now the industry standard.
"Modern Turbine Technology," presented August 1973, July 1975, and August 1978 at Iowa State University for the ASME Turbomachinery Institute Fluid Dynamics of Turbomachinery Short Course.
"Propulsion Perspective for the Universities," AIAA Paper 75-250, presented January 22, 1975 at the 13th Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Pasadena, CA, and Astronautics and Aeronautics, September 1975, pp. 60-63.
"Turbine Aerodynamics," with R.P. Dring, Chapter 18 of The Aerothermodynamics of Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines, edited by G.C. Oates, AFAPL Report TR-78-52, July 1978, pp. 18.1-18.23.
"Horizons in Aircraft Propulsion," Astronautics and Aeronautics, April 1981, pp. 52-56.
"Non-Recoverable Stall," USAFA Report TR-84-7, September 1984, pp.37-48.
"Turbine Aerodynamics," with R.P. Dring, Chapter 4 of The Aerothermodynamics of Aircraft Engine Components, edited by G.C. Oates, AIAA Education Series, Washington, DC, 1985, pp. 219-271.
"Teaching Airbreathing Propulsion at the U.S. Air Force Academy," with J.D. Mattingly, USAFA Report TR-85-11, September 1985, pp. 55-68, and AIAA Paper 85-1145, presented July 10, 1985 at the 21st Joint Propulsion Conference in Monterey, CA.
"Performance Estimation of the Mixed Flow, Afterburning, Cooled, Two-Spool Engine with Bleed and Power Extraction," with J.D. Mattingly and D.H. Daley, AIAA Paper 86-1757, presented June 18, 1986 at the 22nd Joint Propulsion Conference in Huntsville, AL.
Aircraft Engine Design, with J.D. Mattingly and D.H. Daley, AIAA Education Series, Washington, DC, 1987. This popular textbook, which grew out of the U.S. Air Force Academy aircraft engine design course, presents a realistic exposure to the entire design process, from the initial statement of aircraft system requirements to the final detailed design of the separate engine components. The textbook was especially designed to support university design courses by providing all the tools necessary to complete the design, while emphasizing the roles of analysis, iteration, judgement, and interaction in achieving success. The methods apply to any variety of aircraft engine and include cycle analysis diskettes, yet allow free substitution of preferred individual design criteria and calculational procedures.
"Teaching Hypersonics to Undergraduate Students at the U.S. Air Force Academy," with J.D. Bertin, AIAA Paper 91-2504, presented June 26, 1991 at the 27th Joint Propulsion Conference in Sacramento, CA.
"Improvements in Teaching Aircraft Engine Design," with J.D. Mattingly, AIAA Paper 92-3758, presented July 8, 1992, at the 28th Joint Propulsion Conference in Nashville, TN.
"Isolator-Combustor Interaction in a Dual-Mode Scramjet Engine," with D.T. Pratt, AIAA Paper 93-0358, presented January 12, 1993, at the 31st Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Reno, NV. This paper presents a breakthrough one-dimensional analysis that explains the behavior of the dual-mode ramjet, the key ingredient of hypersonic airbreathing flight, and uncovers several potential operational problems that remain to be solved. The analysis leans heavily on a novel graphical portrayal of the sequence of flow processes involved that has wide application to the teaching and study of compressible fluid mechanics.
"Visualization of One-Dimensional Flow Processes in a Dual-Mode Scramjet Engine," with D.T. Pratt, presented in November, 1993, at the Annual JANNAF Combustion Conference in Monterey, CA.
Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion, with D.T. Pratt, AIAA Education Series, Washington, DC, 1994. This textbook project was funded by the U.S. Air Force Wright Laboratory and the National Aero-Space Plane Joint Program Office in order to provide teaching materials for those entering the field of hypersonics. The textbook presents the first fundamental, comprehensive, integrated treatment of ramjets and scramjets, and contains a great deal of original material. It is almost entirely self-contained, including example and homework problems, and a diskette of computer programs to facilitate repetitious and/or complex calculations that have broad application to compressible and reacting flows. Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion was awarded the 1999 Summerfield Award for the best technical book recently published by the AIAA.
"Simulating Heat Addition via Mass Addition in Constant Area Compressible Flows," with W.B. McClure and C.W. Wood, AIAA Journal, Vol. 33, No. 1, January 1995.
"Simulating Heat Addition via Mass Addition in Variable Area Compressible Flows, with W.B. McClure and C.W. Wood, AIAA Journal, Vol. 34, No. 5, May 1996.
"Fluid Phenomena in Scramjet Combustion Systems," with E.T. Curran and D.T. Pratt, Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 28:323-60, 1996.