Milford Shirley

Milford has come to aviation late in life. After finding out that the young next door neighbor was getting his pilot's license Milford was eat up with jealousy to the point that at the age of 44 he began flight training. While training he joined the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association for the opportunity to fellowship with pilots. Once they realized that he wasn't going to go away they made him chapter secretary, then president. Currently he is in partnership with a Cherokee 180, a Starduster Too under construction, and an 80% Complete Midget Mustang is lying neglected in the garage. He has added complex and tailwheel ratings to his license and is currently working on an instrument endorsement. After that the plan is pursue gliders (Gliders, where every landing is an engine out approach!). He says that his biggest aviation thrill so far is getting to ride in EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast.

Charlie Willwerth

Charlie had a very strong interest in aviation since he was a small kid. He built model and wooden airplanes until he was old enough to build and fly control line airplanes, then moved on to radio control, even building his own radio control transmitter, receiver and servos. He progressed on and began flying the REAL thing in the summer of 1970, and received his private pilot license a short time later.

Charlie moved to North Carolina for his work in the early 70's and joined a group of "Sky Divers" associated with East Carolina University. He spent several years as the club pilot and made over 120 jumps at many different dropzones.

Charlie built a Rutan Designed "Long Eze" and is finishing a J-3 Cub replica. Both of the aircraft were built from plans and raw materials and the help of great friends.

Charlie worked in the Aviation industry as an Air Traffic Controller at facilities across the Southeast U. S. (CHS, FAY, TLH, ZJX, JAX, and DAB). Charlie was also a controller at the Sun-N-Fun Fly-In 4 times!