George S. Schairer, 91; Boeing Engineer Was Known for Innovations

George S. Schairer, 91, an aerodynamics expert for Boeing Aircraft who led development of such innovations as sweptback wings, died Oct. 28 in Kirkland, Wash., of Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in Wilkinsburg, Pa., Schairer earned a bachelor’s in engineering from Swarthmore in 1934 and a master’s from Massachusetts Institute of Technology the following year. He worked for Bendix Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft before joining Boeing as chief of aerodynamics in 1939.

The aerodynamics engineer helped develop and test the 307 Stratoliner, the first plane to maintain normal air pressure throughout the structure, and two World War II bombers: the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-29 Superfortress.

At war’s end, Schairer was among several scientists assigned to gather technical data from abandoned German research sites, and found test data supporting a Boeing concept for the sweptwing design.

Schairer began angling wings back 35 degrees, which prevented the development of shock waves that were endangering newly developed jet planes. He also initiated the placement of jet engines in pods under the wings, and oversaw structural analyses and testing of flight controls, hydraulics and electrical systems.