Foil: 3 Panel: 1 Column: 1 Line: 70

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

As a child, I was always looking up at birds and airplanes when I was in the family backyard to play. Everyone else noted my fascination with things that flew.
At age 16, I learned to fly in 1967 with the proud support of both my parents. After getting my SEL Private Ticket, I got caught up in sailplanes and gliders for many years.
In the early 1970’s, hang gliding was born in Southern California and I was one of the early participants in a new growing air sport. I flew hang gliders from all of the well-known sites in Southern California, including Sylmar and Crestline/Marshall.
As ultralights were born from hang gliding, I learned them with friend John Ballantyne, an old hang gliding buddy who later founded the United States Ultralight Association. From the first 15 hp Yamaha-powered weight-shift Quicksilver through various Eipper designs, trikes, and powered parachutes, I am still very active in Sport Aviation.
I was a volunteer for several on the Voyager, the Burt Rutan designed Round-the-World Flight project. I contributed Shop Support materials and coordinated with many manufacturers to “donate” construction tooling as the needs arose. I performed fund-raising duties at many air shows and EAA Chapter Fly-Ins to help raise money for the shoestring-funded project. I am still in regular contact with many of the Volunteers who made it happen.
At age 50, I am still flying regularly for sport and fully intend to keep on doing that as long as I am able. To fly is to be free.
1/30/2001