Tilt-Rotor Critic Nick Lappos Joins Bell

Nick Lappos has spent a lot of  time and energy in recent years critiquing  the promise and performance of Bell Helicopter and its vaunted tilt-rotor technology. Now he is going to work for Bell and, presumably, will have a hand in developing and marketing the company’s tilt-rotor aircraft. In a March 19 e-mail to employees, Bell CEO Richard Millman said the company's senior engineering leadership is being reorganized, with Lappos (formerly of Sikorsky Aircraft and most recently Gulfstream Aerospace) installed as head of Bell’s XworX research and development shop. Jeff Lowinger, a Boeing Helicopters engineering executive, will take over as head of Bell’s engineering department. Both will report directly to Millman. Bell officials declined to comment on the changes. For related news