Joe Sutter, Father of Boeing 747, visits Pipistrel

An aviation legend of Slovenian blood honored us by his visit just before receiving his honorary doctorate from University of Nova Gorica.

Joe Sutter, born 1921 and better known as the Head of Development of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet, visited Pipistrel on a hot summer day as part of activites University of Nova Gorica prepared on the occasion of presenting him with a honorary doctorate.

Joe, togehter with his family and friends was greeted by Ivo Boscarol and the Pipistrel team, who showed the group around the factory and take him flying in 'something much lighter than a 747'. Also present during the visit were: Mr Boštjan Žekš, president of Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Mr Danilo Zavrtanik, president of Univerity of Nova Gorica, Mr Gvido Bratina, professor at University of Nova Gorica, Mr Lojze Peterle, member of EU Parliament, Mr Matjaž Vidmar, professor at University of Ljubljana and future head of Aeronautical Reserach Institute, Mr Franci Popit, head of R&D at Pipistrel, Mr Franco Orlando, Pipistrel's Aerodynamicist and Mr Tine Tomažič, Pipistrel's Factory Test Pilot and Interpreter.

In the Production with Joe Sutter, his Brother, Danilo Zavrtanik, Lojze Peterle and Boštjan Žekš (from left)

Tine Tomažič explaining about the storage organisation and the specialities of Pipistrel VARIO propeller

Mr Joe Sutter and Mr Lojze Peterle posing by the Taurus

Mr Sutter was enthusiastic about what he saw at Pipistrel facilities at Ajdovscina. He complimented the organisation of the factory and stressed the fact that it seems to be as well organized and pristine as much larger Boeing facilities. What is more, Pipistrel takes care of the environment also and meets all the strictes environmetal standards, which American companies need not, since the U.S.A. have not ratified the Kyoto bill. Mr Sutter congratulated Mr Boscarol on his project and business philosophy as well as the plan to erect an Aeronautical Research Institute just adjecant to the exsisting Pipistrel facilities starting this autumn.

Joe and Ivo at the controls of Virus912, shortly before take-off

Distinguished guests discuss collaboration for the new Aeronautical Research Instituce

Ivo Boscarol presenting Joe Sutter with the book
'Around the Only World' by Matevž Lenarčič,
who circumnavigated the World with Pipistrel Sinus912

‘It is the knowledge what is needed for further development of human kind’ said Mr Sutter many times during his visit. As a father of three generations of Boeing’s most successful airliners and an aviation expert, he can be definitely be thrusted.

« back