Meet the 2008 Officers

 

 

BILL REPUCCI  

President

704-947-7160

704-947-7160 (cell)

 

Growing up, my father was always talking about airplanes and even had a subscription to Flying magazine.  With seven kids and a dog to feed, there was never enough disposable income for him to learn how to fly.  Luckily one of his friends, Dale Johnson, was heavily involved with EAA 1093.  At the impressionable age of 11 or 12, I remember sitting around the kitchen table listening to him talk about his latest project.  

 

After high school I found myself at Western Michigan University with a bunch of roommates who were getting degrees in aviation.  My first ride in a light aircraft occurred during my senior year.  One of my roommates was working on his CFI and he asked me to go flying with him so he could practice getting out of spins from the right seat.  After two hours of learning how to spin a 152 and him recovering I was hooked.  To this day I don’t remember getting even a little queasy during that inaugural flight.

 

After graduation, I pursued my PPL while living in metro Detroit and upon passing the check ride joined a local flying club.  In the year and half it took me to scrape together enough cash to get my license, I never mentioned to my parents I was taking flying lessons.  After passing the check ride and getting checked out in the club’s 172, I flew up to my hometown and called my parents from the airport.  The look on their faces when they realized it was I who flew the plane in was worth every dime I saved to get my PPL.  My father was buckling himself in the right seat and was ready for a ride before I finished telling them that I was a licensed pilot.

 

In the ensuing 20 years since the FAA said they could trust me, I have had the opportunity to fly over 50 different makes and models of airplanes.  Everything from the C-152 I learned in, to J-3’s and Champs, to Great Lakes and Stearman's, to a T-6.  Not to mention all the different exquisite homebuilts that our chapter members have been kind enough to let me ride in.  At one point I discovered that I really enjoyed flying antiques much more than the go fast types of airplanes.  These experiences lead me to purchase a 1941 BC-12/65, also known as a Taylorcraft, in 1996.

 

When I joined EAA 309 in 1998, the T-Craft had just been sold, and I set my sights on some of the various high wing rag and tube kits available at the time.  However, when Van’s came out with the RV-9, I found the plane I really wanted.  An economical, fast cruiser with a low landing speed.  Thus, the past four years has found me hiding in my basement trying to finish the dream of building and flying an airplane assembled with my own hands.

 

None of this would have been possible without the help of my very supportive wife, Nora.  She has been right there alongside of me throughout this journey and is encouraging me to complete it so we can start “adventuring”.  

Bob Thayer  

Vice President

704-664-6097 

704-578-9559 (Cell)

 Bob's first flight was to Havana, Cuba!

He is a past president of Chapter 309.  

He has his private pilot's license with glider endorsement and is a member of Glider Club which is based at Bahnson Gliderport near Mocksville.  

He built a 1/2 VW engine which will be mounted on the Hummel Bird that he is scratch building from plans.  

 
 

 

 

BOB ALLEN  

Secretary

704-892-4095

704-577-4766 (Cell)

There has not been a time in my life that I can remember when I was not interested in airplanes and aviation. In fact, I remember drawing pictures of airplanes as a small child before entering grade school. At the age of twelve, I was allowed by the Peoria, Illinois Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol to attend the Cadet Squadron Meetings although the minimum age at that time was 14, and throughout my teen years I was a very active Civil Air Patrol Cadet. It was through the CAP that I got my first direct exposure to pilots and light aircraft – particularly, the Squadron’s airplane which at that time was an L-16, the military version of the Aeronca Champ.

When it came time for college, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Bradley University in Peoria and eventually join the Bradley Flying Club where I obtained my PPL on 12/30/77 and an instrument rating on 7/10/79. Following that, my wife two children and I lived in Chagrin Falls, Ohio for a few years where I had the opportunity to solo in gliders as well as rent a variety of powered airplanes.

In 1983, a job transfer brought us to the Charlotte area, and in 1996, I joined the Gastonia Aero Club. Upon joining the GAC, I limited my flying to only the club aircraft (Cessna 172, Cessna 182 and Cherokee 180) until 1999 when some friends and I bought an Aeronca Champ, N4221E (the same type of plane as my first airplane contact of 54 years ago), and formed the Carolina Champ Club, Inc. For the past year, N4221E has been down for maintenance, but we plan to have her flying in February, 2007 with an engine upgrade to 85 HP that we hope will give her more “get-up and go.”

Over the years, I have been very lucky to have had a supportive and understanding family that has allowed me to pursue my lifetime interest in aviation and to have the opportunity to meet and associate with some of the best people in the world, fellow pilots. Aviation is and has been a very meaningful part of my life, and I am eagerly looking forward to learning more and furthering this interest through participation in EAA Chapter 309.

 

Ron Murray  

 Kandy Murray

Co-Treasurers

704-663-5521

 

Ron and Kandy Murray are both Private pilots, with instrument ratings.  Ron is also an EAA Technical Counselor.  We live at Lake Norman Airpark, overlooking the end of runway 14.  We built our home and hangar in 1992 and have enjoyed the aviation “good life” here since that time.  We are the proud owners of a Van’s RV-9A which we built from a “slow build” kit starting in 2001.  The plane first flew in December 2004 and has provided us with many fun and trouble free hours of flying.

We first got serious about aviation in 1978 when we purchased our first airplane.  It was a new 1978 Piper Warrior.  We both received our private pilot’s license in this plane.  In 1980 we made a move up to a brand new fancy T-tail Piper Arrow.  Since we lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, we had many trips up and down the west coast, exploring places like the Grand Canyon and other exciting places along our way.  In 1984 we flew into the Travis Air Force base aviation event and Kandy spotted one of the first Trinidads brought to the US.  After lusting for this plane for a number of months, the dealer made us an offer we could not refuse.  So in May 1985, we journeyed to Annapolis, Maryland  to pick up our sparkling new airplane.  A crazy Frenchman had flown it across the Atlantic from the factory in France.  We then completed the cross country trip to California, which turned out to be the first of several coast to coast  trips we made in the Trinidad.

After 15 wonderful years, we finally decided to downsize and get in to a smaller, less complicated airplane.  So in 2001, we sold the Trinidad and bought the empennage  kit for the RV-9A.  This was the beginning of a great chapter in our life, building the RV-9A.  It truly was a very satisfying and rewarding experience.  After 3 years and 8 months, and 2500 hours of build time, the plane finally flew.  To say this was one of the highlights of our lives would be an understatement.  We would encourage anyone with the desire and commitment to build their own airplane, to go for it.  You won’t be sorry.

Besides our flying, we love to go boating, motor homing, traveling and playing with our grandkids.  We are also very active in the music department at our church.  One of Ron’s loves is singing bass in a southern gospel quartet.

 

CHUCK PORTER  

Director

704-291-7944

704-231-4867 (cell)
I was raised in Dayton, Ohio, The Birthplace of Aviation, and remember in the early 1940’s my first visit to the local museum that housed the Wright Flyer.  My Grandfather was a barber that regularly cut the Wright Brother’s hair.  I will never forget the first time my Dad took me to Wright Field and experienced my uncle starting his T-6 based there. So at a very young age I was hooked! 

I graduated from Ohio University in 1963 with an Industrial Engineering Degree but more importantly a Private Pilots Certificate.  I was able to enjoy aviation in my 7 years of military service but did not fly much afterwards until the mid 1980’s when I bought a Piper Saratoga and later moved to a more affordable Piper Arrow.   I currently have a Piper Archer II and my son Charlie and I will decide at Sun-N-Fun which RV we will build!

I am a specialist in Wire Electrical Discharge Machining with a career that has spanned over 28 years, working with many Fortune 500 companies as well as small shops,  matching our unique technology of machining complicated intricate parts in tolerances of +/-.0001" with the requirements of industry, many times finding a less expensive approach to a better part solution.  When I turned 65 we moved our business to our country home site north of Monroe, NC.

 

Hal Schwab 

Director

704-892-3310

 

 

 

I have been interested in aviation as long as I can remember.  My dad would always take me to the local airport (GSO) to watch airplanes.  I joined the CAP and started learning to fly when I was 13.  I would do odd jobs at the FBO for flight time. I did not pursue it to the license though.  I joined the Army at 17 and attended helicopter maintenance school.  After that I flew as a flight engineer on the H-54 Skycrane for two US assignments and one Vietnam tour with the 101st Airborne.

Well, a lot of years passed without flying except for the occasional ride with someone.  I kept flying model helicopters and airplanes though.  I put the time to good use getting an education and marrying above myself.  We have two great children Stuart and Sarah. Stuart has the aviation gene like me. Sarah thinks that airplanes are something that you have to tolerate while getting somewhere.

When EAA 309 brought in the B-17 to Concord in 2003, I heard about the new Sport Pilot license and was encouraged to build an airplane.  So I ordered a set of Sonex plans and Stuart and I got to work. Two years and three months later I was licensed, the Sonex was finished, so there was nothing left to do but test fly N808SX.  It flew great and Stuart and I are having a great time flying.

Hal is also the Chapter 309 Young Eagles Coordinator for 2008.

 
 

DEAN UNTERREINER

Director

 

 

TAD SARGENT  

Director

704-892-2425

704-591-2035 (Cell)

 

Pilot since 1998 and I have logged just over 530 hours.  My interest started as a small boy by building balsa wood models powered by a #3 rubber band.  In my teens I graduated to powered flight.  I built wood models powered by an OS .46 and they were radio controlled.  My first small airplane ride was given to me by a fellow who owned a Pietenpol experimental, I was dating his daughter. 

 
It was not until my career and family matured that I was intent on getting a pilot's license to fly the big ones.  I got my license in about a year and did most of my normal flying around town till one day I got the bug, I just had to have an airplane so I could go somewhere other than 3000` up then down again.  I settled on an experimental RV7A  as my bird of choice and 30 months after starting I was flying it, and fly I did.  I have logged 200+ hours in 2006 and I have gone farther than the perimeter of Charlotte, NC.  Lakeland, Fl, Oshkosh, WI, Long Island, NY and numerous trips to the beaches of NC.  Lastly my newest passion is Formation flying with 6 other RV'ers
I am close to getting a Wingman's Card that allows my to fly at airshows as a performer.  Aviation has given me some of the greatest pleasures on earth.
 
 

Randy Utsey 

Director

704-377-9824

704-332-8301 (work)

704-506-5863 (cell)

 

 

My dad flew B-24's in WW-II and kept his instructors license current to teach me how to fly when I was 16.

Flew the J-3, Tri-Champ, Luscombe, Cherokee 140 and got my Commercial & Instrument ratings when I was 18 yrs old. Closest I could get to a flying job was an Air Traffic Controller where I was employed in Charlotte & Honolulu from 1974 through 1981 (early retirement related to PATCO).

I started flying again in 1998 as a flying club member and re-gained my currency along with adding a CFII rating with an MEI. Through the flying club I stayed current and gave instruction in most of the single & light twins in the GA inventory flying out of Charlotte Douglas.

My current aviation love is my Van's RV-7 which first flew on December 14, 2007 after two years and 8 months of construction. It is based in Rock Hill and I am currently half way through the 40 hour test time. I equipped the plane for IFR flight and plan to use it for business calls in N.C., S.C. and Virginia where my company wholesales Vent-A-Hood products to appliance dealers.

 
 

JOHN WIGNEY 

Ex Oficio 

(Hangar Project Leader)

704-664-4167

704-231-7865 (Cell)

Growing up in England I was always interested in aviation and I was able to join Rolls-Royce Ltd. after high school in 1955 as a University Apprentice in the Aero-Engine Division. In parallel with my apprenticeship, I studied at Bristol University where I obtained my degree in Aeronautical Engineering. At Bristol I was fortunate enough to be recruited by the RAF Volunteer Reserve as a Cadet Pilot in the Bristol University Air Squadron. This gave me the opportunity to gain a lot of dual and solo time in Chipmunks with RAF instructors - cross country flights, aerobatics, spins, night flying, low flying, navigation, meteorology, etc. – great basic training. Remarkably, I was paid for the experience.

After graduation, my Rolls-Royce career continued with development work on jet engines in Derby and Royal Navy nuclear submarine power plant development and operation in Scotland. I then moved to another company in England where I worked on synthetic fiber manufacturing. A company transfer opportunity led me to Charlotte with my wife and our 4 children in 1973 where I continued in project management until retirement in 1997.

I did not have the resources to pursue flying while I was working but I did join EAA 309 in 1994 just as the chapter was moving to the CHAC hangar from the Goodnight Field near Kannapolis. This was the time when the RV-6A project was very active and I was fortunate enough to participate and make many great friendships with the team members. I noticed that many members soon gained confidence on this job and moved on to projects of their own. The attitude seemed to be “ Well if these guys can do it, so can I! ”  As soon as I retired, I was able to obtain my Pilot’s License and I bought my Europa kit which was a design I had been fascinated with from first sight.

My wife, Paddy, helped me load the Europa parts onto our boat trailer in Florida and patiently supported my work over the next 2½ years. The maiden flight was in 2001 and I have enjoyed my time in the plane tremendously since then. The plane does not have bad habits – it flies fast, lands slow, uses very little fuel and I can take it home on a trailer to my garage for maintenance. It can carry 2 comfortably with baggage and a full tank and the longest trip has been to New Mexico with  friend  for  a hiking vacation. I now have about 700 total hours in my logbook; 100 hours were in Chipmunks from 1957 to 1960 and the remaining hours started in 1997 with about 520 hours in the trusty Europa since 2001.