Frank Irving

Frank Irving (7 April 1925 – August 2005) was a British aeronautical engineer, glider pilot, author and university lecturer.

Early life and education Francis George Irving was born in Liverpool, United Kingdom. He attended St. Edward's College, and then Liverpool University.

Aeronautics Irving graduated from Liverpool University in 1944 with a First in Engineering. After graduation, he worked as a civilian flight test observer at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. In 1945 he completed the course for civilian observers at the Empire Test Pilots School.

He was closely associated with development of the Sigma, a very-high-performance experimental glider.

Irving was President of the Imperial College Gliding Club from 1969 until 1999 when, at the age of 74, he chose to cease flying solo.

Publications The Soaring Pilot (1955) with Ann and Lorne Welch An Introduction to the Longitudinal Static Stability of Low-Speed Aircraft (1966), Franklin Book Co, The New Soaring Pilot (1968) with Ann Welch The Complete Soaring Pilots Handbook (1969) with Ann and Lorne Welch The Paths of Soaring Flight (1999)