Andy Lennon

Andy Lennon (September 1, 1914 - November 24, 2007) is most notably associated with his work in advanced model aircraft design. Background Lennon was involved in aviation since the age of 15, when he went for a short ride in a Curtiss Robin. He soon joined the Montreal Flying Club and began flying D.H. Gypsy Moths and early two-place Aeronca cabin monoplanes. He was educated in Canada at Edward VII School, Strathcona Academy, Montreal Technical School, McGill University and the University of Western Ontario, (London, Ontario). Involvement in Manufacturing Lennon entered the Canadian aircraft manufacturing industry and later moved to general manufacturing as an industrial engineer. Throughout his career, he continued to study aeronautics, particularly aircraft design, aviation texts, NACA and NASA reports and aviation periodicals. He tested many aeronautics theories by designing, building and flying nearly 25 experimental R/C models-miniatures of potential light aircraft. One model, the Seagull III was a flying boat with wide aerobatic capabilities. Lennon was a licensed pilot in the United States and Canada. Contributions in Literature Lennon was a contributing editor to Model Airplane News, Model Aviation, Model Builder, RC Modeler, Fly RC and RC Models and Electronics. He wrote several books: "Basics of R/C Model Aircraft Design", "R/C Model Airplane Design" and "Canard: A Revolution in Flight." His last book was published in 1996, has been reprinted twice since. Andy's authority in aerodynamics and related studies are well acknowledged by leaders in the aviation industry. His book "Canard: A Revolution in Flight" had the foreword written by Burt Rutan, a fitting authority in Canard design. For his last book "Basics of R/C Model Aircraft Design", Bob Kress, who designed the F-14, among other designs, wrote the introduction.