Ken Razak — at 90 years old — continues to work enthusiastically on one of his passions — aircraft design. I recently visited Razak at his home office in East Wichita.
His enthusiasm remains robust for the aviation industry. He and his business partner, John Guernsey, have designed a unique, short-field aircraft designed for commercial missions. They’re calling the plane the Flow Control Model 10.
“We spent a lot of time studying what kind of an airplane it would be that would have a… lot of commercial merit,” he said. “We both have been working on the detailed design fo the airplane.”
Those who’ve been involved in the aviation industry for some time will remember Razak. He started the School of Engineering at Wichita University in 1943. He also designed and oversaw the construction of the Walter Beech Wind Tunnel.
It was there that Razak conducted tests, analysis and research taht remains important to the current aircraft design. The research was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.
“When we build this prototype, we won’t have to do any wind tunnel testing,” Razak said. “It’s already done.”
The plane would be ideal for a variety of uses, Razak said. It would suit the package and product delivery industry, the commuter airline industry for short haul transportation, for a corporate aircraft, for countries with poorly-developed infrastructures and for the military, he said.
The design features a rear-opening door for the rapid loading of passengers and packages. One version would carry up to 12 passengers. Another version would carry up to 30 people.
The plane has a single propulsion engine with a separate engine for blowing air over the deflected flaps and control systems. It also can be used for heating and ventilation.
Another option of the Model 10 is what he terms a “gust alleviation system.” By blowing air over a deflected flap, the system relieves those bumpy gusts and makes for a smoother ride, he said.
Razak and Guernsey have shared in the cost of the plane’s design and analysis. Guernsey is a Federal Aviation Administration designated engineering representative who has certified airplanes for manufacturers.
The two are working on plans for a prototype. They’re looking for investors or a manufacturer to buy the design and intellectual property and build the prototype.
They’re also willing to take the plane to a certified prototype stage for an investor — the most difficult component of an airplane.
For $12 million, “we would build a flying and certficated prototype,” Razak said.
Investors would own the airplane and its certificate, he said.
“Our goal is to get this machine flying in a commercial environment,” he said.
