Renowned Bulgarian Aviator: Assen Jordanoff
Bulgarian Aviation Pioneer Assen Jordanoff: A Life Dedicated to the Skies
Assen Jordanoff (1896-1967) was a Bulgarian-American aviation pioneer, engineer, pilot, and inventor whose contributions to the aviation industry were significant and far-reaching. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria to a wealthy family, Jordanoff's passion for the skies was evident from a young age.
At the age of 16, Jordanoff built his first glider, a testament to his early interest in aviation. After the First Balkan War, he volunteered as a car driver and designed the first Bulgarian-made airplane, the Diplane Yordanov-1.
Aviation Innovation and Engineering
Throughout his career, Jordanoff was deeply involved in aircraft design and development. He invented several aviation-related devices and improved aircraft instrumentation. His engineering work helped advance the safety and efficiency of airplanes during the early to mid-20th century.
Flight Instruction and Pilot Training
Jordanoff was a passionate advocate for pilot education and developed new methods for flight instruction, making aviation more accessible to aspiring pilots. His teaching methods and flight manuals became widely used at flight schools.
Aviation Literature
In addition to his engineering work, Jordanoff authored several influential books on flying and aircraft piloting. These publications helped spread knowledge about aviation principles, aircraft operation, and safety among pilots and aviation enthusiasts. His works, which sold more than 750,000 copies in total, were popular in both Europe and the United States.
Contribution to American Aviation
After emigrating to the United States, Jordanoff contributed to the growth of American civil and military aviation through his technical work, consulting, and instructional publications during a formative period for the industry. His professional career collaborated with prestigious firms like Douglas, Chance-Vought, Lockheed, Curtiss-Wright, McDonnell, Boeing, North American, Consolidated, and Piper.
Jordanoff wrote instruction books and manuals for numerous aircraft models like the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, and the Douglas DC-3. He was also tasked by the US Department of Defense to put together instruction manuals on military tools, covering subjects such as land support with radio equipment, air meteorology, and preparation of pilots for nighttime piloting.
Honours and Achievements
Jordanoff's contributions to aviation were recognised with numerous honours. He was made an honorary citizen of New York City and held patents in many industries, including an early prototype of a wireless phone and the world's first airbag.
After the World War I, Jordanoff was drafted for the air force as a pilot and completed 84 military missions. He built several successful companies such as The Jordanoff Aviation Corporation, The Jordanoff Corporation, The Jordanoff Company, and Jordanoff Electronics.
Assen Jordanoff's papers and mementoes are held in The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. His legacy continues to inspire aviation enthusiasts, engineers, and pilots around the world. Jordanoff died on October 19, 1967, and his ashes were scattered into the air from a plane by his friends.
Jordanoff's contributions extended beyond aviation, as he also collaborated with numerous companies in the aerospace industry and the transportation sector, such as Douglas, Chance-Vought, Lockheed, Curtiss-Wright, McDonnell, Boeing, North American, Consolidated, and Piper.
The finance industry was not foreign to Jordanoff, as he held patents in various industries, including an early prototype of a wireless phone.
Technology was integral to Jordanoff's work, with his engineering and aviation-related inventions helping improve aircraft instrumentation and safety, advancing the aerospace industry during the early to mid-20th century.
