OWNER'S JOURNEY
People who have been paramount influences in my life and this effort.
MY PARENTS
Um, ya; where to start with this one? How about next to a Taylorcraft on a grass strip in southern Minnesota; that's my sister and me with Dad. I would have been about four years old then. So no person is an island, right? We're all shaped by our environments, so it's only fitting that I start with my parents. They never relented in their nurturing of my passion for aviation; as a matter of fact, they probably planted the seeds; my Dad especially. My Dad took flying lessons in the T-craft in the first two photos and earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He would then, in cahoots with one of his closest friends, start a flying club when they purchased a used square-tail Cessna 172.
I didn't know it then but that airplane was one of the best parts of my young life. I loved going flying with my Dad; he loved doing touch-and-goes and I relish the times he would take me with him. We also had some fun family adventures in that airplane. More on that at a later date; I need to find some more family photos.
U.S. AIR FORCE
After high school I enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF). Due to a rare color deficiency, my vision kept me from my aspirations of becoming an aircrew member as an Aerial Refueling Boom Operator. As a result, I ended up in an 'analytic' career field that required very high security clearances. End.
UND AND THE FLYING TEAM
After separating from the USAF I worked odd jobs for a bit and then enrolled in one of UND's Aviation degrees with the intent of becoming an airline pilot. During this time I became active with Alpha Eta Rho (Delta Chapter) and the UND Flying Team. The coaching staff of the Flying Team consisted of a whole bunch of competent individuals but there are two head coaches who I credit with nurturing my inner competitive spirit and leadership philosophy.
I haven't asked for permission yet to post their full names so I will just tell you that their names are Kent and John. Under their leadership I competed on several National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) national championship teams and earned a few individual national championships too.
ALPHA ETA RHO AND SCOTT CROSSFIELD
I also had the privilege of serving as Historian, Associate Vice President, and President of Alpha Eta Rho, Delta Chapter. During my time as the chapter president I attended an event that would change the course of my life. The Dean's Office (UND Aerospace) invited all of the student activity chapter presidents to a luncheon with esteemed NASA Engineer and Test Pilot Scott Crossfield. This event occurred in the mid-1990s and during the luncheon I had the opportunity to ask Scott what he thought about the high performance composite kit aircraft that were on the market at that time.
I can still hear Scott's words today. He said, "Mike, I think composite materials are great but keep in mind that these aircraft are being powered by technology that was developed in the 1930s. Composite materials in general aviation aircraft will not realize their true potential until a new means of thrust is available, and I don't mean turboprops!"
His answer, more than any other influence, would inspire a 20+ year journey that has led me to:
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Develop the conceptual design that I mentioned on the previous tab.
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Build a business plan around that design.
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Work with UND's Center for Innovation and start Airplane 3.
DAVE AND PETE
I'm not sure how to fit this last bit in but I would be grossly missed if I failed to give credit to two men who 'molded' me during my time at Cirrus Design (see link to my LinkedIn page). Their names are Dave and Pete. Together, they shaped my knowledge of airframe composite structures and their associated manufacturing processes.
That's it for now. I'm gonna get back to work and I thank you for your interest and taking time to read through this content.
Please stay safe and well.
Fly Safe. Fly Smart. Fly Fast.
Mike