Ermanno Bazzocchi

The greatest Italian designer, was the driving force behind the re-establishment of Aermacchi as world class player in advanced training (MB326, MB339) and a person of international standing. Bazzocchi was also a pioneer in methods, particularly for studying and wind tunnel testing (on the rotary balance) the spin behavior of aircraft and designed one of the earliest executive aircraft ever seen in service (MB320, certified in 1949). He was a man of vision, finding his way through severe problems and funding shortage under his motto "never give up", was able to motivate everybody in his environment, also by establishing mutual trust, and had close links with the British community as well (particularly Rolls Royce), although constantly competing against BAC, and was named FRAeS in 1971. I believe all those who were lucky enogh to collaborate with him will retain his memory as a great man firsyt of all, and a great aviation person.

Today a gate guardian ..... but in the past it was the best .....

 

The successor .....

I fully endorse the indication of Ermanno Bazzocchi as one of the 100 outstanding aviation personalities.

He was not only an exceptionally talented designer, but a leader and an achiever. After a series of civilian light aircraft, which allowed the restart of the Italian aviation industry after the war disruptions, his masterpiece, the MB.326 jet trainer, saw an exceptional worldwide success thanks to its technical and operational qualities as well as to Bazzocchi's relentless tenacity and drive. He managed, almost single-handed, to promote and sell the MB.326 worldwide, as well as to have it built under licence in Australia, South Africa and Brazil. In the last two countries the MB.326 programme was the building stone for the local aviation industry, with the foundation of Atlas Aircraft Corporation in South Africa (now Denel Industries) and Embraer in Brazil, two names which today figure prominently in the world aviation industrial roster.

I am supporting the nomination of Ermanno Bazzocchi that

was one of the most succesful Italian Aircraft Designer, he was able to develop

new criteria for the aircratf trainer design, the famous  Bazzocchi paper, new criteria to

study High Alpha Behaviour, the Rotary balance.

He developed in year 50 th a very innovative small

canard aeroplane for general aviation, aermachi motorcicle and small truck used even today.

I hade the honour to collaborate with him for many years.