Local group encourages 'experimental' flight

PAINTON, Mo. -- Al Painton opened the Experimental Aircraft Association meeting Sunday by reading an essay by a 10-year-old boy. The child wrote that he wanted to be a pilot because it looked easy and he didn't have to be real smart, since all he had to do was read instruments and a road map. The boy said he would have to be brave in case a motor or wing fell off or he had to fight off stewardesses who are attracted to pilots. All this he thought he could handle, but he only hoped he didn't get air sick like he got car sick.

"Hopefully, this kid is flying in an airline or in the military today," Painton said as he closed the old book of essays titled "Unfriendly Skies."

Painton, whose grandfather founded the town Painton (about 25 miles southwest of Cape Girardeau) in 1913, owns the airstrip at which the group meets monthly. He and the other 40 or so members were once that 10-year-old boy who thought flying was the greatest job in the world.

The EAA is a national organization whose members have a wide range of aviation interests.

The local group includes pilots from Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville and Sikeston who are interested in building their own aircraft, restoring classics and studying warbirds or vintage military airplanes.

"Our basic philosophy is to encourage the development of aviation, especially those things that make it more affordable," said Ernie Chiles, president of chapter 453.

Experimental aircraft are much smaller than conventional aircraft. Some have enough room for only a pilot. They are made from welded steel or bolted aluminum tube, metal, wood or composite materials such as fiberglass. Homebuilt aircraft kits can be purchased over the Internet or at aircraft companies and vendors throughout the United States. They must meet the requirements of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Local chapters have technical advisers.

Many members own aircrafts they bought or built themselves. According to Chiles, the aircraft can be purchased for as little as $4,000. "It's just like any hobby -- bass fishing, golfing or hunting. You can spend a ton of money on it, or a little bit," Chiles said.

Building an aircraft could take six months to more than 20 years, depending on how much time an individual can devote to it, Chiles said.

Many of the members of chapter 453 are retired and fly for leisure.

"It's the kind of thing whereas long as your health is good and you're comfortable, you could fly," said Chiles, who is also a flying instructor. "It's like driving, but with flying you just stop doing it sooner."

He has known many people who were able to fly into their 80s. Getting a license to fly experimental aircraft requires about 40 hours of flying time and good health.

Gene Heisy, 80, has been involved with the EAA almost since it started. The national organization based in Oshkosh, Wis., began in 1953. Heisy didn't join then because he made only about $35 dollars a week and couldn't afford it.

Heisy and some other members built a hangar at the Painton Airport where he stores his Breezy RL12. It's a 136-hp plane with no exterior. The pilot's entire body is exposed while flying. When Heisy flies out of the area, his son, Brad, accompanies him. Heisy said he does the flying when they are together, but the aircraft has dual controls.

Lowell Peterson of Cape Girardeau has been building an experimental aircraft in his garage for about 12 years -- the second one he's worked on. He spends a couple of hours on it here and there and said he finds the work relaxing. He plans to start building the engine from scratch next week.

"Like anything you build, be it a boat, a house or a plane, there's a satisfaction there that this can't be duplicated," Peterson said.

Jerry Nilsen, who has been flying for more than 20 years, said his favorite part of the EAA is the Young Eagle Program. He's flown about 400 young people from ages 8 to 18 and has helped many Boy Scouts receive their aviator's merit badge over the years. He said that lately young girls have been interested in aviation, too.

"A lot of the kids have never flown before," Nilsen said. "I like to fly over the bridge and their schools, and they like to try to find their house. It's such a big boost."

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137