William H. Thompson Papers
Collection Summary
| Title: | William H. Thompson Papers |
| Call Number: | MS 2002-14 |
| Size: | 2.0 linear feet |
| Acquisition: | Donated by the Thompson family |
| Processed By: | BP and JLY, 8-2002; MN, 11-2012 |
| Restrictions: | None |
Literary Rights
Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.
Content Note
The
William H. Thompson Papers consists primarily of correspondence. The letters
discuss aspects of Thompson's books, including marketing options, acknowledgments
by purchasers, and research requests. The collection also includes letters
between Thompson and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) discussing
aviation design and research, letters from various test pilots, and letters
discussing general topics. The majority of the collection is from the 1990s.
Also included are reports regarding aviation design prepared by Thompson.
Biography
William
H. Thompson was born January 26, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois. He learned to
fly starting in 1940, first on gliders and then on powered airplanes. During
World War II he trained Army Air Corps and French cadets for a Civilian
Contract School in South Carolina. Afterwards he returned to Purdue University
where he obtained an aeronautical engineering degree in 1947. He then began
working for the Cessna Aircraft Company, first as an engineer and test pilot
and later as Manager of Flight Test and Aerodynamics, where he participated
in the design of many of the post-war Cessnas. After Cessna, Thompson served
as a consultant for SIAI Marchetti Aircraft in Sesto Calende, Italy where
he was responsible for a line of small aircraft. He then returned to Oregon
and later to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where he completed writing Cessna
Wings for the World The Single-Engine Development Story, the companion
volume, Cessna Wings for the World II Development of the 300 Series Twins
and Miscellaneous Prototypes, and his autobiography, A Test Pilot's
Life. He was a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a
member of the SAE Cockpit Standardization Committee, and the only representative
of the general aviation industry on NASA's Aerodynamics/Aeronautical committees.
Thompson died March 17, 2001.
Detailed Description: Series Listing
| Series 1 | Box 1 | Correspondence. This series includes correspondence sent and received by Bill Thompson. The letters discuss various topics, including marketing options for Thompson's books, acknowledgments of books received by customers, aviation research and design, aviation history and personal issues. The majority of the letters are from the 1990s. |
| Series 2 | Box 2 FF 1-8 | Research and Writings. The files in this series are comprised of correspondence sent and received by Thompson. The letters discuss single engine aircraft, Thompson's writings, and requests for information about aviation for Thompson's books. |
| Series 3 | Box 2 FF 9-21 | Reports. This series includes reports about aeronautic design. The majority of the reports were prepared by Thompson. |