Roy LoPresti

[3] LoPresti graduated in 1950 and obtained employment with Grumman Aerospace on Long Island, New York, but was soon called to serve in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

Starting with the already stretched frame of the M20F, LoPresti improved the aerodynamics via a more slanted windshield, sleeker cowling, and some other minor cleanup items.

[citation needed] In a 1979 interview, LoPresti predicted that by the year 2000, most general aviation aircraft would be essentially unchanged in airframe and powerplants.

[8] The Starship development was completed as the general aviation market was in a process of rapidly downsizing, and LoPresti became increasingly frustrated as he was put into a series of management positions making missiles and bombs.

[citation needed] In spite of this promising start, Piper went bankrupt in 1991, leading to a huge legal squabble over the rights to the designs.

In 1990 he received the Godfrey L. Talbot Trophy for outstanding contributions to the science of aerospace engineering, from the Aero Club of New England.

[citation needed] LoPresti was climbing a ladder to clear leaves from his house's rain gutter when he slipped and fell.