Builders,
There is a passion and intensity to the best part of aviation, which attract the truly devoted, and hold them for the duration. Now that Im almost 60, a lot of the times past are many years gone, but when I’m in the company of someone who I share many times with, both great adventures and tedious tasks, moments of real triumph and some hours of somber reflection, it all seems like it happened last week.
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20 years ago, my friend Arnold Holmes and I stand beside a Chevrolet based 420HP “Engine-Air” V-8, Mounted on the front of a Lancair IVP. We both did a lot of work on these planes. This is a 385mph homebuilt, that can cruise at 30,000′. In those days Arnold was a nationally known composites expert, known by the moniker “The Repair”. Today, 100% of my work is on Corvairs, because the rewards of teaching builders lasts, where the rewards of high end projects were financial and ego based, and faded quickly.
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Yesterday in my shop, Arnold and Myself. These days, Arnold is a very active DAR. He predominately works in Florida, but his FAA rating has no geographic restrictions. ( He certified the Jag-2 Twin when it was finished on Long Island.) If you have need of a DAR, look him up under “AV-MECH LLC” . If you are getting started in homebuilding, remember this: To find the quality people in aviation, all you have to do is be one, and be particular about the company you keep. When you are passionate enough about flight to build your own airframe and engine, you will be telling others by your choices and actions that you value the same learning and craftsmanship that made homebuilding a real endeavor, well worth the sacrifices to engage in the most creative part of aviation.
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William