July 1, 1968

It has come to my attention that you are the author of Bill No. S-3451 favoring recognition and a certain award to the heirs of Vincent J. Burnelli, the inventor of the lifting body airplane.

I have been acquainted with the work of Vincent J. Burnelli from 1915 to his decease, and have inspected a number of the nine airplanes which he designed and had constructed in this country and Canada. I have also examined designs which he submitted to the U.S. Air Force in my capacity of Sr. Aeronautical Engineer for the Air Force. A few of his seventy patents have also been examined by me. These patents constituted improvements and advancements of his formula for airplanes having a body of such shape and dimensions as to give the airplane improved logistic efficiency as well as improved safety due to large ground effect.

In his late years, Burnelli also patented a number of special designs for reducing the noise produced by aircraft as they pass over populated areas.

Vincent Burnelli accomplished all his designs with little benefit of government support, and he left his world with a legacy of novel and valuable design concepts.

I would greatly appreciate being informed of the progress of your legislation on behalf of Mrs. Burnelli