Original "Rocket Man" to Speak At UB Nov. 24

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- William P. Suitor, the original "rocket man" who conducted test flights of the rocket belt developed by Bell Aerosystems in the 1960s, will speak at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, in Room 210 of the Natural Science and Mathematics Complex on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is part of the UB Sciences Alumni Association Lecture Series.

Suitor was hired in 1964 at the age of 19 by Bell Aerosystems and Bell engineer Wendell Moore, the inventor of the Rocket Belt, to conduct test flights of the belt. He went on to fly as a member of the prestigious Bell Aerosystems rocket belt flying team from 1964-70.

He holds all of the records in altitude, distance, and speed for the Rocket Belt, and is the only person to have flown all three versions of the belt. He has made flying appearances in numerous movies, including "Thunder Ball" and the television series "The Fall Guy," as well as the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics.

For more information, call Cindy Nydahl at 645-2531.