Brown Named by McDonnell Copter Unit

Jack G. Real, president of McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co., will retire at year-end, the company announced Tuesday. Succeeding him will be William P. Brown, 53, the firm’s vice president of engineering.

Real, 69, was brought in as president of the subsidiary in 1979 when it was still owned by the estate of Howard Hughes and known as Hughes Helicopters. McDonnell Douglas bought Hughes Helicopters in January, 1984.

Real joined the aircraft division of Hughes Tool in 1971. He served as a personal adviser to Hughes until the billionaire’s death in 1976.

Real began his aviation career as a junior engineer at Lockheed. From 1939 to 1971, he was engaged in engineering, flight test and program management positions. He participated in the design, development and test phases for most Lockheed aircraft, according to McDonnell Douglas.

Real was also a key intermediary in the sales of Lockheed commercial jets to TWA when the airline was under Howard Hughes’ ownership.

“Jack Real is a true aviation pioneer, and he has made many outstanding contributions to the success of both McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. and the helicopter industry,” Sanford N. McDonnell, chairman and chief executive of McDonnell Douglas Corp., said in a prepared statement.

Brown joined the company as chief engineer in 1980 after 25 years with Boeing. He began as a stress analyst on advanced bomber projects and was director of military projects for Boeing’s Vertol unit from 1978 to 1980.

McDonnell also promoted Norman B. Hirsh, 50, to executive vice president-program management and Allen C. Haggerty, 49, to executive vice president-engineering and operations. Both will report to Brown. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter’s annual sales are expected to be about $1 billion in 1985. The company is in the process of moving its headquarters to Mesa, Ariz., from Culver City.