“To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. To fly is everything.” – Otto Lilienthal
An airplane building project my father began in the 1960s has been re-begun. “The Biplane – A Dream And Hope Resurrected” post provides the background for the extraordinary turn of events that has resurrected a dream all but dead.
Since I first posted, the project has become more and more real. Real as in:
- what this will involve
- the amount of resources it will take
- that this is going to become a REAL airplane that REALLY flies
- wonderfully skilled and knowledgeable people have agreed to take this on
- that I need to get tailwheel training and certification
- that this will be a stretching and growing experience
I am grateful to be a part of a team from which I can learn and apply some of my own skills as it unfolds.
The Larger Audience In This Airplane Building World
There are several groups of people who have an interest in this project:
First, there is family. Some, like me, have been in on this dream from the start. Others have crossed its path over the years, with the younger ones just hearing stories about it. No matter the involvement, everyone is excited.
Second, the folks who are and will be involved directly in the project. The core will be members of EAA Chapter 88. But there will be others who will come and go providing expertise, time and skill in some way. There may be certain aspects of the project where kids will be brought in to participate – with supervision of course! It will be a great teaching platform. Daddy would have loved this.
Third, friends and neighbors from my hometown and the surrounding area who would have been aware of Daddy’s airplane project in the back of the shop.
Then there are the mysterious “others” who will drop by this site for one reason or another and see what were are up to while airplane building. Welcome!
A Place To Come Visit
I plan to publish a page that will house the progress of this airplane-building project. Updates will be done as needed. I plan to send out notifications when that occurs.