John Roncz

{{Short description|American aerodynamicist}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = John Roncz | honorific_suffix = | image =  | image_upright = | landscape =  | alt =  | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | pronunciation = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1948|05|25|df=yes}} | birth_place = Lakeville, Indiana, US | death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|09|27|1948|05|25|df=yes}} | death_place = Lakeville, Indiana | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates =  | burial_place =  | burial_coordinates =  | monuments = | nationality =  | other_names = | citizenship =  | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Aeronautical engineer, aerodynamicist | years_active = | known_for = Airfoil design | notable_works = Rutan Voyager, GlobalFlyer | spouse =  | partner =  | children = | parents =  | mother = Catherine Roncz | father = P. John Roncz | relatives = Sisters: Diane, Janet, Maribeth | family = | callsign =  | awards = | website =  | footnotes = }} '''John Gregory Roncz''' (25 May 1948 – 27 September 2023) was an American aerodynamicist involved in the development of over 50 different aircraft, ranging from ultralights, round-the world record breakers and military transports, to yachts and a racing car. He was described by Burt Rutan, the prolific aircraft creator, as "the genius of airfoil design".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=Voyager: The Adventure Begins |journal=Sport Aviation |date=July 1984 |pages=28 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>

His most famous projects are the Rutan Voyager and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, which both flew around the world, non-stop and unrefuelled, and are now displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's buildings in Washington, D.C. and Chantilly, Virginia.

== Early life == John Roncz was born to Peter John Roncz and his wife Catherine, nee Scheibelhut, of South Bend, Indiana,<ref name="Palmer Funeral">{{cite web |title=John G. Roncz |url=https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/John-Roncz#tributewall |website=Palmer Funeral Homes |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref> who were married in June 1946.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter John Roncz |url=https://www.ancestryinstitution.com/discoveryui-content/view/611160695:61843 |website=Ancestry.com |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref> Known as P. John Roncz, his father was a co-founder of Maron Products Inc, an engineering company specialising in metal stampings, mainly for the automotive industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://maronproducts.com/about.html |website=Maron Products Incorporated |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref>

The young Roncz was a prodigy, becoming a concert violinist at the age of five, playing with a local symphony orchestra. At the age of 10, after 6 months practice, he moved to the piano, winning a state prize, and had composed a march for his class, and entered national and international piano competitions.<ref name="Aristotle">{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=The Aristotle of Airfoils |journal=Sport Aviation |date=July 1985 |pages=31–36 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>

He attended a special school for gifted people at his local university, Notre Dame in South Bend, where he displayed a talent for languages, becoming fluent in eight modern and ancient languages, including French and Hebrew. As a student at Notre Dame, he studied particle physics and Egyptian hieroglyphics while reading for his honours degree in government and international affairs. At no time in his life did he do any engineering course.<ref name="Aristotle" />

After university in 1971 Roncz had no immediate career prospects, so started working as a carpenter for local automotive-related companies before starting to sell his own paintings through local galleries and via the occasional commission. After nine months of this, he began working for his father's company, engineering special metal parts and discovering, unsurprisingly, that he had a talent for it. In November 1977 he set up his own company, called '''Gemini Technologies Inc''',<ref>{{cite web |title=John Roncz |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roncz-3815399/ |website=Linkedin |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref> designing and making better and cheaper parts than the competition. He did not charge for designing the parts, but, by not revealing to his clients the specification of the metal he used, they were compelled to buy it from him.<ref name="Aristotle" />

The success of this business involved Roncz in a lot of travelling, particularly to Detroit, so he decided that he would prefer to fly than to drive. He had always had an interest in aviation (his father had been a bombardier during WW2) and had built model aircraft as a child. Now he learned to fly in a Cessna 150, gaining his licence in 1975. He then bought a used Rockwell 112 and gained his commercial and instrument ratings in that before earning his multi-engine rating in a Cessna 310. He then did some cargo flying for a local company by night, while still doing his day job.<ref name="Aristotle" />

== Aerodynamics == Roncz became interested in aerodynamics theory, and having read some books on the subject, became fascinated by the mathematics behind the theories. He was of course extremely good at mathematics, and began testing the numbers using his calculator. This was extremely tedious work for the multiple calculations he wanted to perform, and he lost interest in pursuing it. He did however continue to devour every aerodynamics theory book and paper he could find and soon realised that the newly-invented home computers could relieve him of the tedium of multiple calculations, so he built his own Heathkit H8 personal computer from a kit. He then had to learn to program it, at which he also became expert. By 1975<ref>{{cite web |last1=Noland |first1=David |title=Aeronautical Engineering Bibliography: Wing-Man (abstract) |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19910014783/downloads/19910014783.pdf |website=NASA |date=1991 |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> he had written his first program, for airfoil calculations.<ref name="Aristotle" /> He was starting to become a pioneer in the use of microcomputers in the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

Around this time he had a chance meeting with Professor Gerald Gregorek; an aerodynamicist at Ohio State University. Jerry Gregorek was impressed by Roncz's insightful questions and computer skills, and Roncz was impressed by Gregorek's answers. Roncz's knowledge and understanding grew, and so did his circle of helpful contacts, and his theories were put to the test in his computer programs, which were being worked so hard that he upgraded his Heathkit in an attempt to keep up.<ref name="Aristotle" />

Working with Gregorek at Ohio State University he noticed that their metal wind tunnel models were poorly made, and proposed a better way of making them. With his metal stamping experience, he designed and built a computerised milling machine and the software to control it, and Gemini Technologies went on to make models for the university and several other customers, including NASA.<ref name="Aristotle" />

=== Burt Rutan === Roncz had long been an admirer of Burt Rutan's homebuilt aircraft designs, and ordered a set of plans for the VariEze canard two-seat aircraft. Out of curiosity he decided to analyse the canard wing's shape on the computer, which astonished him by revealing that the canard couldn't fly, as it was stalled at all angles of attack. This was odd, as there were around 100 VariEzes actually flying with the canard and its Glasgow University (GU) airfoil. He then started a great effort to analyse what was happening in the VariEze and discovered how this particular use of the airfoil would work. This sort of work had not been done before in the range of low Reynolds numbers into which the VariEze falls. Working night and day, Roncz came up with theories which he tested on the computer, refining them and often finding answers. This hobby turned out to have great consequences.<ref name="Aristotle" />

thumb|Rutan 77 Solitaire N142SD thumb|(Left to right) Burt and Dick Rutan, John Roncz and Mike Melvill at a Voyager 25th anniversary celebration in 2011. Roncz read that Dick Rutan, Burt's brother and collaborator, was testing the new Rutan Long-EZ, a development of the VariEze, with a new canard airfoil. Roncz wrote to Dick to ask him for details, enclosing information he had gleaned from his GU research. Within a few days, Burt Rutan called him. He was looking for someone to evaluate the low Reynolds number airfoils that he had designed for his latest project, the Solitaire self-launching (motorised) glider. Roncz agreed to do that, and soon found that Burt's designs could be greatly improved by using one that Roncz had devised on his computer. A homebuilder of the Long-EZ built Roncz's airfoil into his new canard, and it proved very successful. Not only did it completely solve a serious problem of rain causing a dramatic loss of lift, but it significantly lowered rotation speed and slightly increased cruise speed. Roncz's design has been adopted by many Long-EZ builders.<ref name="Aristotle" />

==== Rutan aircraft ==== Roncz had become the go-to aerodynamicist for the homebuilts of Rutan Aircraft Factory (RAF) and the projects of Scaled Composites. The following list includes the 17 aircraft for which Roncz did the aerodynamics and airfoil design, listed in the order presented in the Youtube video.<ref name="Oshkosh 11 video">{{cite web |title=John Roncz: Inside story about Rutan designs. Airventure 2011, Oshkosh |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9eEwyVrAps |website=Youtube | date=22 September 2011 |access-date=11 August 2024 }}</ref><ref name="RutanManned">{{cite web |last1=Rutan |first1=Burt |title=Chapter 82: Manned Aircraft - 49 Flown in 43 Years - Plus Other Projects (PDF) |url=http://burtrutan.com/brab/ |website=Burt Rutan |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * Model 77 Solitaire * Model 61 Long-EZ (canard) * Ganzer Gemini (canard){{efn-ua|A variant of the Long-EZ with side-by-side seating and push-pull Volkswagen engines in the nose and tail developed by David Ganzer, a Rutan employee.}}<ref name="Lednicer airfoils">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html#canards |website=University of Illinois |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> * Model 76 Voyager * Model 115 Starship 1 proof-of-concept * Model 97 Lotus Microlight{{efn-ua| Built and flown for Colin Chapman, head of Lotus Cars). Project ended with his death.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wagstaff |first1=Ian |title=Insight: Wings and wheels |url=https://www.key.aero/article/insight-wings-and-wheels |website=Key.aero |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=10 December 2024 |date=11 June 2020}}</ref>}} * Model 120 Predator{{efn-ua|Crop-duster - Rutan's first three-wing design.}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bridgewater |first1=Stephen |title=Sky-Changer – 50 years of Rutan's Greatest Hits |url=https://www.aerosociety.com/news/sky-changer-50-years-of-rutans-greatest-hits/ |website=Royal Aeronautical Society |access-date=13 August 2024 |date=16 December 2022}}</ref> * Model 151 Ares * Model 158 Pond Racer * Model 133 ATTT * Model 281 Proteus * Model 81 Catbird<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Seeley |first1=Brian A. |title=1988 CAFE 400 Discussion of Results |journal=Sport Aviation |date=September 1988 |pages=51–56}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Burt Rutan's Catbird |journal=Sport Aviation |date=October 1988 |pages=20–25 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Model 143 Triumph{{efn-ua|Developed for Beechcraft.}} * Tier 2+ (not built)<ref>{{cite web |title=Scaled Composites Model 260 'Tier 2+ HAE UAV |url=http://stargazer2006.online.fr/unmanned/pages/tier2plus.htm |website=Stargazer |publisher=AviaDesign |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> * Model 311 GlobalFlyer * Model 226 Raptor{{efn-ua|Two drones (UAVs) built for the US government to test technology for detecting and neutralising short-range ballistic missitles. They were manned by a pilot sitting astride the fuselage for their early flight tests.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raptor |url=https://scaled.com/portfolio/raptor/ |website=Scaled Composites |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>}} * Model 247 Visionaire Vantage }} In addition to the known aircraft types worked on by Roncz for Scaled Composites, there were other projects, some worked on by Roncz, done for companies and probably arms of government paying for secret work, about which nothing has been made public.<ref name="Aristotle" />

==== The Beechcraft affair ==== In 1985 Beech bought Scaled Composites in the unsuccessful effort to build the Starship,<ref>{{cite web |title=Scaled Composites celebrates 40th Anniversary |url=https://scaled.com/2022/08/12/40thanniversary/ |website=Scaled Composites |date=12 August 2022 |access-date=11 August 2024}}</ref> and agreed a five year contract with Roncz for his services. In 1987 Beech terminated the contract with three years to run. Roncz sued and accepted a $2.2 million settlement. Despite a good prospect of a jury awarding up to $10 million in punitive damages, Roncz said that he felt it would be morally wrong to be vindictive.<ref>{{cite journal |title=John Roncz wins suit, gains settlement from Beech |journal=Sport Aviation |date=May 1990 |page=97 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>

=== Other aircraft === thumb|Garrison Melmoth 2 N2MU at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2011 thumb|Vans RV-9 During his time working for Rutan, and after that period, Roncz was doing designs for many other projects. This list of the other aircraft that he worked on is not complete. It also doesn't include aircraft that used his airfoils without his direct input.{{efn-ua|Some of this list is derived from the guide produced by David Lednicer,<ref name="Lednicer airfoils" /> who worked with Roncz at Gemini Technologies for three years.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=Computational Fluid Dynamics for Sportplanes |journal=Sport Aviation |date=April 1997 |page=57 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em| * Carter PAV<ref name="Oshkosh 11 video" /> * Cirrus SR20 and SR22<ref name="Lednicer airfoils" /> * Cirrus/Israviation ST50<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marsh |first1=Alton K. |title=Windecker Eagle to be basis of new aeroplane |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/february/01/windecker-eagle-to-be-basis-of-new-airplane |website=AOPA |date=2 January 2016 |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> * Cozy III<ref>{{cite web |title=Cozy III Roncz Canard |url=https://eurekacnc.com/product-category/cozy-iii/cozy-iii-roncz-canard/ |website=Eureka! |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> and Cozy IV<ref>{{cite web |title=Cozy MK IV Roncz Canard |url=https://eurekacnc.com/product/cozy-mk-iv-roncz-canard/ |website=Eureka! |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> * Eagle Aircraft Eagle X-TS,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Aussie plane 'a sports car' in sky |journal=South Bend Tribune |date=27 July 1996 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Aviation News |journal=Sport Aviation |date=December 1993 |page=15 |publisher=EAA}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kolano |first1=Ed |title=The Eagle X-TS Flying Qualities |journal=Sport Aviation |date=February 1996 |pages=63–69 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> Eagle 150,<ref name="SBTribune 29-10-2000">{{cite journal |title=From Australia with love |journal=South Bend Tribune |date=29 October 2000 |page=13}}</ref> Eagle EX-P1,<ref>{{cite web |title=Eagle-X aircraft prototype, 1984 |url=https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/267189 |website=Powerhouse |publisher=Powerhouse Museum |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> Eagle X<ref>{{cite journal |title=G'day Mates! |journal=Sport Aviation |date=October 1988 |page=27 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Explorer Aircraft (AEA) Explorer<ref>{{cite journal |title=On the Flight Line |journal=Sport Aviation |date=October 2000 |pages=21–22 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Fighter Escort Wings {{frac|2|3}} Mustang replica<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=The Fighter Escort Wings Mustang |journal=Sport Aviation |date=December 1992 |pages=20–26 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Freewing Freebird MK-IV<ref>{{cite journal |title=EAA News |journal=Sport Aviation |date=March 1992 |page=10 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Garrison Melmoth 2<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garrison |first1=Peter |title=Melmoth 2: A Personal Airplane |url=https://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-reports-pistons-melmoth-2-personal-airplane/ |website=Flying |publisher=Firecrown |access-date=14 August 2024 |date=21 November 2021}}</ref> * Glasair III winglets<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=Grand Champion Glasair |journal=Sport Aviation |date=June 1985 |pages=56–58 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Group Genesis Genesis 1<ref>{{cite journal |title=Aviation News |journal=Sport Aviation |date=November 1993 |page=9 |publisher=EAA}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Genesis I Standard Class Sailplane (advert) |journal=Sport Aviation |date=December 1993 |page=91 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Icon A5<ref>{{cite web |title=Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) |url=https://www.iconaircraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ICON_SRA_Digital_PDF-single-pages.pdf |website=ICON Aircraft |access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="Oshkosh 11 video" /> * Israel Aircraft Industries (and others) drones<ref name="Lednicer airfoils" /> * Keller Prospector STOL<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=Fred Keller's Prospector STOL |journal=Sport Aviation |date=October 1989 |pages=11–20 |publisher=EAA}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=John Roncz, other Voyager fliers aiming at breaking more records |journal=South Bend Tribune |date=9 October 1988 |pages=63, 67}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Scott |title=Checkered Past |url=https://www.kitplanes.com/checkered-past/ |website=Kitplanes |date=26 April 2020 |publisher=Firecrown |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> * LAK Genesis 2{{efn-ua|Developed from the Genesis 1 with Jim Marske, this was produced by Sportinė Aviacija (LAK) in Lithuania.<ref>{{cite web |title=Genesis 1 and 2 Group Genesis |url=http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?prev=139 |website=Sailplanedirectory.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810063229/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?prev=139 |access-date=30 August 2024| archive-date=2007-08-10 }}</ref>}} * LoPresti Piper Swiftfire<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=Roy Lopresti... on Comanches, Swifts and such |journal=Sport Aviation |date=October 1988 |pages=47–52 |publisher=EAA}}</ref> * Roncz DLR{{efn-ua|Michael '''D'''illey, Larry '''L'''ombard, John '''R'''oncz homebuilt project as detailed in Roncz's series of articles in Sport Aviation magazine running from February 1990 to February 1991. It became the AeroComposites Forte.<ref>{{cite web |title=Projects in development |url=https://aerocomposites.aero/projects/ |website=AeroComposites |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Garrison |first1=Peter |title=FLOFT: Lofting Fuselages The Easy Way |journal=Sport Aviation |date=September 1990 |pages=53–57 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>}} * Vans RV-4<ref name="Oshkosh 11 video" /> * Vans RV-9<ref>{{cite web |title=RV-9/9A |url=https://www.vansaircraft.com/rv-9/ |website=Van's Aircraft |access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref>{{efn-ua| Van's first ever airfoil change<ref>{{cite journal |title=RV-9 A Different Direction |journal=Sport Aviation |date=June 1999 |pages=74 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>}} * Windecker Aircraft Tian Hu project<ref name="Windecker Eagle Rises">{{cite web |last1=Marsh |first1=Alton K. |title=The Eagle Rises |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/july/pilot/the-eagle-rises |website=AOPA |access-date=14 August 2024 |date=13 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bergqvist |first1=Pia |title=Windecker to Develop Clean Sheet Airplane |url=https://www.flyingmag.com/windecker-to-develop-clean-sheet-airplane/ |website=Flying |publisher=Firecrown |access-date=15 August 2024 |date=9 March 1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Windecker planning brand new four-seat aircraft |url=https://flyer.co.uk/windecker-planning-brand-new-four-seat-aircraft/ |website=Flyer |access-date=15 August 2024 |date=2 February 2016}}</ref> * Zivko Edge{{efn-ua|He had previously designed the airfoil for Bill Zivko's redesigned wing for the Stephens Akro/Laser aerobatic aircraft.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Wrap-ups |journal=Sport Aviation |date=September 1990 |page=98 |publisher=EAA}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=How It Started |url=https://zivko.com/about-us |website=Zivko Aeronautics, Inc. |access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Davisson |first1=Budd |title=Edge 540 and Zivko Aeronautics |journal=Sport Aviation |date=March 1995 |pages=17–20}}</ref> }}

=== Airfoil names === Roncz sometimes gave his airfoil designs fanciful names.<ref name="Garrison Obit">{{cite web |last1=Garrison |first1=Peter |title=Recalling a Good Pilot Friend and One Curious Character |url=https://www.flyingmag.com/recalling-a-good-pilot-friend-and-one-curious-character/ |website=Flying |publisher=Firecrown |access-date=15 August 2024 |date=12 April 2024}}</ref> These included: * GOLA: Gobs of Lift Airfoil * OSPITE: Olympic Swimming Pool in Trailing Edge * POP: Peter's Other Profile * SODA: Stamp Out Drag Airfoil and the suffix MS stood for the initials of Mike and Sally Melvill.{{efn-ua|Mike and Sally both worked at Scaled Composites. Mike was the chief test pilot.<ref>{{cite web |title=SpaceShipOne pilot's M&M's, other mementos go on museum display |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-062323a-melvill-collection-eaa-aviation-museum.html |website=collectSPACE |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref>}}

=== Other projects === ==== Nautical ==== * In 1988 Scaled Composites was commissioned to build the carbon-fibre wing for Stars & Stripes, a {{convert|90|ft|abbr=on}} racing catamaran. Roncz was the aerodynamicist for the project. After the first wing was completed, the race's venue changed from Long Beach, California to San Diego, California, necessitating an increase in the wing's height from {{convert|94|ft|abbr=on}} to {{convert|108|ft|abbr=on}}. The new wing was designed and built within 8 weeks, and the catamaran went on to win the race convincingly. Roncz also designed the rudders.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Roncz sails into venture |journal=South Bend Tribune |date=30 August 1988 |pages=1, 11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sail America America's Cup New Zealand Challenge Rigid Wing Sail for Catamaran 1988 |url=http://burtrutan.com/downloads/SailAmericaWingProjectSummary.pdf |website=Burt Rutan |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref>

* Roncz redesigned the keel of the America III racing yacht which won several San Diego races.<ref>{{cite journal |title=MERFI 1993 |journal=Sport Aviation |date=February 1994 |page=70}}</ref>

* Roncz completely redesigned the airfoils of the Airfish 2 wing-in-ground-effect (WIG or WIGE) vehicle which was developed from the RFB X-114 designed by Alexander Lippisch.<ref>{{cite journal |title=A Fish Out Of Water |journal=South Bend Tribune |date=22 January 1988 |pages=25,35}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Airfish-2 |url=https://www.fischer-flugmechanik.com/site/index.php?menu=realized_airfish2 |website=Fischer Flugmechanik |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref> He worked with the US company Flarecraft Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Full text of "Popular Mechanics ~ 1989 |url=https://archive.org/stream/PopularMechanics1989/Popular_Mechanics_07_1989_djvu.txt |website=Internet Archive |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref>

==== Motor racing ==== * Roncz used his CFD skills to refine the aerodynamics of the Riley & Scott Mk III prototype World Sports Car (WSC) race car.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wittenberg |first1=Russell |title=Farewell To The Riley & Scott MK III. The Winningest Prototype Of All Time? |url=http://archive.dailysportscar.com/subscribers/cars/riley_scott.htm |website=DailySportsCar |access-date=25 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Lectures === Roncz often featured in forums at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh during the 1980s and 90s. His sessions were always popular for his wit and wisdom. Lecture titles included "The Aerodynamics of the Flight of Dragons",<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cox |first1=Jack |title=The Miracle that is Oshkosh |journal=Sport Aviation |date=October 1985 |page=19}}</ref> "Drag Reduction for Aircraft" (as Gemini Technologies), "Can Dragons Fly?" and, with Burt Rutan, a "Tent Talk Show" and "Life, the Universe and Everything Else".<ref>{{cite journal |title=EAA '95 Forums |journal=Oshkosh Northwestern |date=27 July 1995 |page=52}}</ref>

He was a Distinguished Lecturer for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a visiting lecturer at eight universities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phelps |first1=Mark |title=John Roncz, Master Aerodynamicist To Experimental Aircraft, Flies West |url=https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/john-roncz-master-aerodynamicist-to-experimental-aircraft-flies-west/ |website=AVweb |date=5 October 2023 |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Patents and awards === Over his aerodynamics career, Roncz gained at least eight patents, usually as part of a team of inventors,<ref>{{cite web |title=Patents by Inventor John Roncz |url=https://patents.justia.com/inventor/john-roncz |website=Justia Patenta |access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wingtip for a General Aviation aircraft |url=https://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2015/0028160.html |website=FPO: FreePatentsOnline |access-date=26 August 2024 |date=29 January 2015}}</ref> and gained several awards including:

* the 1985 Stan Dzik Award for outstanding airfoil design contribution.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Oshkosh '85: Award Winners |journal=Sport Aviation |date=September 1985 |page=6}}</ref> * the 1990 August Raspet Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the design of light aircraft, presented to him by EAA President Tom Poberezny.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hot Line... From Headquarters |journal=Sport Aviation |date=September 1990 |page=4}}</ref> * the 1991 Milwaukee School of Engineering and EAA Gold medal for distinguished achievement in aerospace engineering.<ref>{{cite journal |title=John Roncz To Receive MSOE/EAA Engineering Award |journal=Sport Aviation |date=March 1991 |page=8}}</ref> * the GAPAN Grand Master's Australian Medal for co-designing the Eagle Aircraft Eagle 150, which he received from Prince Philip at the Guildhall in London on 24 October 2000.<ref name="SBTribune 29-10-2000" />

== Other interests == Alongside the aerodynamics, Roncz led a second life as a medium in Spiritualism. For this he would regularly visit Arthur Findlay College, near London Stansted Airport in England to participate in their sessions.<ref name="Garrison Obit" /> He also wrote a book about it, entitled ''An Engineer's Guide to the Spirit World: My Journey from Skeptic to Psychic Medium'', published in 2012{{efn-ua|Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, ISBN 9781478221944}} and still widely available in 2026.

Roncz was also a member of the Sinai Synagogue, and participated in the reading of the Torah.<ref name="Palmer Funeral" />

== Death == John Roncz died of cancer<ref name="Garrison Obit" /> on 27 September 2023 in Lakeville, Indiana,<ref>{{cite web |title=John G. Roncz |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/john-roncz-obituary?pid=205410982 |website=Legacy.com | date=2 October 2023 |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> in the South Bend area which had been his main residence throughout his life.

== Footnotes == {{notelist-ua}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roncz, John}} Category:Aviation pioneers Category:1948 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Scientists from Indiana Category:Aerodynamicists Category:American aerospace engineers Category:American aviators Category:Aviation inventors