Honoree – Otto Bartoe

Otto E Bartoe Jr

Honored 2004

Otto E ^“Pete” Bartoe was born in Paris Island, South Carolina on April 5, 1927.  He was a 1949 graduate of the University of Colorado. Pete soloed in Boulder in 1944.

Bartoe began his career at Hughes Aircraft with the Falcon Missiles project. He later went back to the University of Colorado and received a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering degree in 1954.

A principal founder of Ball Brothers Research Corporation (later Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp) in 1956, he was their first engineer, later President, and in 1973 the Chief Operating Officer. Pete had a major role in the design of NASA’s Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO). Seven OSO satellites were built by Ball Research Corporation between 1962 and 1971, making the Boulder based company a major force in the aerospace industry.

In 1973 Pete Bartoe founded Ball-Bartow Aircraft Corporation, a joint venture with the University of Colorado and Ball Research, which produced the Jetwing, an experimental single engine, swept-wing plane. Bartoe designed it as a “low-key, low-cost” research vehicle that utilized unique design concepts along with conventional aircraft parts, with many innovations in the propulsion system to assist in low-speed flight. The Jetwing used Bartoe’s “blown wing” design that diverted the jet engine exhaust through wing root nozzles over the top sections of the wing’s leading edge to improve short field takeoff and landing capabilities. Navy testing showed that the Jetwing could land in a mere 300 feet.

Bartoe also designed the Skyote, an advanced aerobatic biplane which was sold as plans and kits for homebuilders. He sought to create a biplane with outstanding aerobatic qualities, responsive controls and structural strength, with low-speed handling and good fuel economy. Bartoe used computer analysis to identify areas of the structure where he could save weight without compromising the strength of the design. The Skyote was well received by aerobatic pilots and is still being constructed today.