Roger Hoh

United States of America

 

1943-2025

Roger Hoh, Handling Qualities Leader

A true pioneer in the field of flight controls and handling qualities for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, Hoh’s contributions continue to shape aviation today.

As principal investigator and lead author of the US military specifications MIL-STD-1797 and ADS-33, Hoh defined the criteria for acceptable handling qualities that have endured for decades. His groundbreaking work on the Bandwidth/Phase Delay criteria remains one of the most vital tools in evaluating flying qualities.

Hoh’s early research on outside cueing effects in rotorcraft handling qualities and his key role in developing single-pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) requirements for the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were instrumental in shaping aviation standards. His insights continue to be referenced by engineers and pilots.

A respected educator, Hoh taught numerous technical courses and authored many reports and papers. His lectures at the US Air Force Test Pilot School were highly regarded, and his expertise contributed to countless simulations and flight tests. Over his career, he developed flight control systems, visual guidance aids, SAS/autopilots, and pilot training tools.

Hoh was an experimental test pilot and a longstanding member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), flying a variety of aircraft to improve airworthiness and control systems.

After contributing to the Apollo space program, Hoh joined Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) in Hawthorne, California.

spent 20 years driving innovation that saved lives. Later, as the founder of Hoh Aeronautics Inc, he continued to collaborate with STI. His legacy will inspire generations to come.

Nick Lappos:
"Roger was one of the chief architects of the revolution in the science of handling qualities, a revolution that every pilot today takes benefit of. Roger saw our craft with tremendous clarity, and he conducted experiments that produced clear and important insights into how the future would be. We are today living in the future that Roger helped create. RIP, Roger Hoh."

Mark Tischler:
"Roger was truly a great and innovative researcher and an excellent mentor to me during my formative years at STI (1980-1982). Later when I joined the Army lab we collaborated closely on ADS-33."

Roger had many innovations and firsts in the ADS-33 rotorcraft HQ criteria -- his shift from the time domain specs of the old MIL-H-8501 to the frequency domain (as in fixed-wing), integration of the useable cue environment with associated response types and HQ boundaries, and the concepts of MTEs. All were firsts and made a huge impact.

He had a special combination of skills as both an excellent researcher and experienced fixed-wing and rotorcraft pilot. Roger was a giant of aeronautics......

Roger Henry Hoh, age 82, of Grass Valley, California passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hoh-a4441522

Society Updates: Vertiflite, May/June 2025