Aviation Services

I have been working on my own aircraft for years and am now offering my services to others.  Here is my brief background.

I graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1992 with a B.S. in aviation technology specializing in aircraft maintenance and avionics.  I have been an A&P mechanic for over eighteen years.  My work background includes being a machinist for a cosmetics manufacturer and a line mechanic for Delta Airlines before I started working in ship electronics designing multi-million dollar integrated bridge electronics systems, steering systems, and bridge and engine room consoles.  I have also run Engineering Alternatives, Inc. designing and manufacturing specialty electronics equipment and aircraft lighting systems and doing contract design and manufacturing services for other companies including the U.S. government and large defense contractors.  I have over 20 years experience with AutoCad doing 2D and 3D drawings and photorealistic renderings and animations.  My electronics design and manufacturing capabilities include digital and analog circuit design, microcontroller assembly programming, electromechanical control, systems integration, CAD circuit board layout, thru-hole and SMT assembly, enclosure design and machining, and medium volume production soldering.

My aircraft experience includes working on many experimental aircraft including a KR-2S, four KR-2s, two Sonerai, Midget Mustang, Mustang 2, RV-6, Monerai, BD-4, Pietenpol Sky Scout, Pitts S1, Starduster Too, and a few others.  I was the maintenance officer for a soaring club for several years responsible for the maintenance of five gliders and one tow plane.  I currently fly gliders, tow gliders in a Piper Pawnee, and fly anything I can get my hands on.  So far I have test flown several experimental aircraft and have flown 38 different types of aircraft from a hang glider to a P-51D Mustang.  In addition to buying and selling my own aircraft I have also brokered several aircraft for other people.  I am also an EAA Tech Counselor.

Builder Assist

I am available for experimental aircraft builder assistance.  I have experience in composites, sheet metal, wood, welding, engine installation and overhaul, electrical and avionics, and painting and can perform nearly any required task in aircraft homebuilding in my facility or yours.  To date I have worked on over a dozen of my own experimental aircraft and many more for other people.

Instrument Panels

I have designed and manufactured many instrument panels for myself and others.  They are designed in AutoCad or Rhino and cut in aluminum with my CNC router or they can be done with a CNC turret punch, waterjet, or laser.  Painting, powder coating, and wood veneer overlay are also available.  I can make just the raw panels or I can install all of the instruments and avionics and deliver a panel with a completed wiring harness and already tested.

Parts Fabrication

I can make nearly any custom metal or plastic parts from a simple fitting to a welded fuel tank or complicated control system.  My own machine shop consists of a Bridgeport manual milling machine, Jet 13 X 40" manual lathe, KBC surface grinder, two Sherline CNC milling machines, K2 CNC router, Heck Trace-A Punch nibbler with up to 1/8" stainless capacity, and numerous other fabrication tools.  I also have access to large CNC milling machines and lathes, a large CNC turret punch, a Hy-Def CNC plasma cutter, and a large CNC press brake for nearly any machining, cutting, or bending work.  CNC cut wood form blocks for sheet metal forming is also available.

Wiring and Avionics

I have a lot of experience in aircraft wiring and avionics.  I learned wiring in the yacht electronics business where every strand of wire is laid out perfectly.  My aircraft wiring is done with the highest quality mil spec wire and well above FAA standards.  I have designed integrated ship navigation and communication systems with hundreds of signals and many thousands of connections and can give you the same quality in your aircraft with professionally done CAD wiring drawings.  I can do just the drawings, the wiring, or both.  Wiring can be done on your aircraft or I can do a custom wiring harness and send it to you.

Inspections

I have performed many annual condition inspections on experimental aircraft, done many EAA technical counselor visits, and assisted on several annual inspections on certified aircraft.  Most mechanics do not have a lot of experience with experimental aircraft and many refuse to do inspections on them.  Most mechanics that will do a condition inspection on an experimental charge very high prices.  I specialize in experimental aircraft and can do a reasonably priced inspection either completely or with your assistance.  They can be done at my airport or yours.  I am also available for prebuy inspections on experimental or certified aircraft.