My uncle, Ed Stout, gave me my first airplane ride in a T-34 on my mom’s lap in the late 60s. As a youngster I was enamored by a Flying magazine advertisement for the BD-5; I set a goal of building my own airplane. Of course it was decades later before that aspiration was realized. The RV-8A project originally estimated at 3 years, then 5 years, finally ended up taking just short of 20 years calendar time. Like many, life gets in the way with house moves, athletic sons, and prioritizing family time.
N528GW finally took flight on December 7, 2019 after a voice from above (Don Christiansen orbiting in Yellowbird) saying “Are you going?, otherwise, I am heading back home” for me to cross the hold line and commit to the long awaited takeoff roll. My tail number is in memory of my departed dad’s birthday who introduced me to tools and building all kinds of things in his wood shop.
N528GW is a standard build kit equipped with an IO-360A1B, Dual E-Mags, Catto 3 bladed fixed pitch prop, Dynon Skyview HDX, and all Dynon avionics. One unique aspect is the vinyl wrap (Avery Dennison ColorFlowTM Lightning Ridge) which was a first airplane for BSG Wraps of Fort Worth, Texas. It throws off controllers when they see the color change at each angle!
Culmination of the dream was a first time (solo) Fisk arrival into AirVenture 2021. I was filled with pride the whole week realizing I finally made it! I am indebted to Uncle Ed for inspiration and advice, my wife, Caren, for putting up with airplane parts all over the house, and my Tech Counselor, Don Christiansen of Chapter 983.
Greg Walker
EAA #241346
Aledo, Texas
Email: walkergp@aol.com