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dwalker

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
1,746
Location
Tennessee
I skipped right by this forum, just started posting away in different areas, and figure it is about time I introduced myself.

I have always been interested in airplanes, and subscribed to Kitplanes Magazine way back in JR High through High school. In college I took flying lessons as I could afford them, but ran out of money- and spare time, I had to work through college!-before I could solo. Instead of using my degree and working in an office, I spent my entire career in auto racing, mostly sports car and vintage racing. I worked in every aspect of the shops I worked in- fabrication, machine shop, composites, paint and body, engine building,prep and of course, actual racing. Eventually I owned my own race team and several shops- paint and body, general service, a "tuning" shop, and of course the race shop. Most of my background was with Porsche and Mazda, with a fair amount of turbo engine experience. We were the last team to race a turbo RX7 at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in 2010 (ran out of gas 1/4 mile from the finish line,did not expect to burn 8 gallons of fuel in 12 miles), and AFAIK the last team to entire a rotary at the PPIHC with the RX8.
I retired in 2016, and spent the last few years mostly as a competitive shooter, competing in 3 Gun matches all across the country as well as being the match director for my local match until recently. Before I retired I started looking at getting back into flying, finishing out my PP and buying a "reasonable" aircraft- I was looking at Cherokees, Bonanzas, Vikings, etc.- just 4 place workhorses- until I realized my wife has no interest at all in flying in small airplanes. I mean none. I have bought her the "familiarization" ride from several air centers over the last couple of years and she just doesnt care to go do it.
Which is OK. But then I started to change the way I thought about an airplane and decided that while I will likely pick up a 4-place spam can at some point, what I really want is a Long-EZ. So I bought an abandoned project. Then I picked up a Vari-Eze that was originally represented as a Long EZ for parts, but it is in such good condition/construction I am going to finish it out and will likely sell it at some point.

So that about it. I am fortunate that my background has given me all the skills- TIG welding, fabrication, composites, paint, etc. to build the aircraft along with the mentality to push forward and get it done.
 
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