Researcher's legacy highlights AFRL's aerospace research pioneers

  • Published
  • By John Schutte
  • Human Effectiveness Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Like many researchers, Dr. William Albery wants to leave a legacy for future scientists and engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Unlike many, however, Dr. Albery is showcasing contributions by others--the aviation research pioneers who first defined man's limits in air and space through groundbreaking and sometimes dangerous studies of the effects of acceleration and altitude on humans.
 
Not that Dr. Albery's own work isn't legacy material--he's authored more than 150 publications and presentations on sustained acceleration and spatial disorientation. He is a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association and the Aerospace Human Factors Association. 

The Aerospace Medicine Institute of Moscow awarded him an honorary doctorate degree that complements the Ph.D in biomedical sciences he earned from Wright State University, where he teaches vestibular functions to aerospace medicine residents.
 
But when he chose aerospace research as a career, he followed a unique group of legendary history-makers: Harry G. Armstrong, Dr. John Paul Stapp, Col. Joe Kittinger, Ray Whitney, John W. Frazier and others; and now, he wants to spotlight their work for the next generation.
 
"The number one legacy I want to leave is remembering the pioneers of the Human Effectiveness Directorate and AFRL," said Dr. Albery, who retired effective Feb. 4. "When you look back at what they accomplished here, they need to be recognized."
 
Stapp, a maverick biophysics specialist and physician, was dedicated to aerospace safety. He was known as "the fastest man on earth" for rocket-sled research in which he endured up to 42 times the force of gravity while studying the effects of deceleration.
 
Frazier was involved with nearly every centrifuge experiment at Wright-Patterson during a 43-year span, including selection of the original project Mercury astronauts in the late 1950s. 

Dr. Albery dedicated a conference room in memory of Mr. Frazier that displays pictures reflecting his accomplishments at the centrifuge facility; he also wants lighter moments remembered, such as his friend Whitney's surprise encounter with an early aviation legend. 

"Ray Whitney worked here in in Area B during the late 1930s with Dr Harry G. Armstrong on the very first human centrifuge," Albery said, and one day a stranger wandered into the altitude chamber lab where Whitney worked.
 
"Ray said he knew right away it was Charles Lindbergh who stuck his head into the office and said, 'what do you do down here? I'm in a meeting upstairs and it's boring,'" Albery said. 

For an hour, Whitney and Lindbergh--who made the first nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927--talked aviation one-on-one, until the other participants found him and enticed Lindbergh back to their meeting. 

Looking to the future, Dr. Albery sees "some interesting times" as AFRL prepares to activate the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson. He worked with the recently decommissioned Dynamic Environment Simulator, or centrifuge, for more than 20 years so he appreciates the new, modern centrifuge planned for the HPW mission. 

"The old saying goes, 'there are no unmanned systems,' so human effectiveness research will continue to be important in one form or another," Dr. Albery said.
 
During his 36-plus years at Wright-Patterson, Dr. Albery was a branch chief, team leader, and most recently a deputy branch chief for AFRL's Human Effectiveness Directorate, Biosciences and Protection Division, Biobehavioral Performance Branch. As a mentor, he encouraged employees to continue their education and several have earned doctorate degrees.
 
But the most rewarding aspect of his career was developing professional relationships with researchers in 14 foreign countries, many of whom are now family friends, Dr. Albery said. As current president of the international SAFE Association and the technical leader of a NATO Research and Technology Organization investigating helicopter brownout, he hopes to maintain some international contacts.
 
"I've always enjoyed getting involved internationally, collaborating with researchers from other countries," Dr. Albery said. "A lot of people do similar research and AFRL makes it possible for you to access anyone, anywhere in the world." 

"When you go around the table for introductions, I've always been proud to say, I work for the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base," Dr. Albery said. "It carries a lot of prestige nationally and internationally." 

Perhaps that prestige stems in part from the pioneers of early aerospace research, whose contributions are more firmly embedded in AFRL lore now through Dr. Albery's legacy.