Deep Purple

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA BASKEN

OSHKOSH MOMENTS

Member Spotlight: Steve Morse

BY CHRISTINA BASKEN

AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF

MEET STEVE MORSE, EAA 223710. That name might be familiar to you, if you are familiar with the Dixie Dregs, Kansas, or Deep Purple — but around Oshkosh, Steve is just another aviation enthusiast who is part of the EAA family community.

Steve has been a member of EAA since 1984, and has been coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for many years now but still remembers his first time.

“I had an old little one-person tent, and I flew in with a Citabria — that was the late ’70s,” Steve said.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS “I was one of those kids that wanted to fly ever since they were aware, and also one of those kids that tried to jump off the roof with a sheet,” Steve said.

As a kid, Steve would save up his 5-cent-a-week allowance to buy rubberband-powered balsa wood airplanes. As years went on, Steve built every model airplane he could get his hands on — but nothing would compare to the real thing.

At the end of 1974, Steve’s opportunity to fly finally came.

“I finally got a regular paying job as a musician while enrolled in the University of Miami School of Music,” Steve said. “So, I answered the classified ad for a $600 pilot license package. The guys were recently furloughed airline pilots, and let me solo at an early five hours, as well as let me take my solo cross-country up to my parent’s home in Georgia (1,200 miles). I’d spent my whole life imagining the effects of all the control surfaces, weight distribution, angle of thrust, etc., so they let me have those freedoms after I showed them that I understood the airplane.”

In no time Steve earned his pilot certificate and eventually his instrument rating. After college, Steve had a period where he referred to himself as a “starving musician.” He didn’t have a whole lot of money, but when he came across an affordable aircraft for sale, he practically leapt out of his seat.

“My first airplane was a Tri-Pacer, and it was $4,200,” Steve recalled. “I never thought I would ever have a TriPacer, but it became available there in Georgia where I lived, and when I saw it, I suddenly got excited. It had four seats, and I could take most of the guys in the band, or my dogs.”

Steve eventually sold that airplane and upgraded to bigger (and sometimes smaller) and in most cases better. Over the years, Steve estimated he has owned upward of 20 airplanes, including five motorgliders and, at one point, a Korean War-era twin-engine jet trainer!

Currently, Steve is a proud custodian of a Glasair, Ciruss SR22, and Aerotrek taildragger. Steve said he loves coming to AirVenture in the Glasair because the back door feature allows him to easily load everything he needs, including his bicycle!

BACK FOR MORE After a year of no AirVenture, Steve said he’s ready to be back at Oshkosh with his EAA family and friends.

“I originally used to live near Detroit — most of my family was based around there, and so I got used to that friendly Midwest mentality. That was back in the ’60s that I lived there, but I think Wisconsin still has that and that super friendly welcoming vibe that, you know, people don’t communicate as well these days, and I’m afraid that’s going to die out, but it’s still alive at Oshkosh, and I’m super glad for that,” Steve said.

NEWS & INFO

Douglas Conciatu Receives Young Eagles Leadership Award From Phillips 66 Aviation

DOUGLAS CONCIATU, EAA Lifetime 53419, of Macomb, Michigan, has received the 2021 Phillips 66 Aviation EAA Young Eagles Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding Young Eagles volunteers who have supported the future of aviation by going above and beyond the basic Young Eagles flight.

For nearly 30 years, Douglas has been an active member of EAA, flying Young Eagles every year, mostly from his home airport in Ray, Michigan. He ranks ninth among Young Eagles pilots across the organization and has flown more than 2,400 Young Eagles. He has also been an EAA AirVenture Oshkosh volunteer at the Blue Barn, and in past years, volunteered to fly Young Eagles at EAA Pioneer Field in Oshkosh during the summer months.

“Being part of the Young Eagles has been an incredible experience. I find so much joy in helping kids of all ages learn to navigate the sky, gain confidence in themselves, and truly embrace the spirit of aviation,” said Douglas. “I am honored to be recognized by Phillips 66 and the Young Eagles community, and I look forward to participating in everything the organization has to offer for young, aspiring pilots across the country.”

Douglas never thought flying would become a lifelong passion. A self-starter, he began his interest in aviation in high school by reading industry magazines and learning as much as he could about the ins and outs of taking to the skies. At the age of 16, he achieved his first solo flight and received his pilot certificate at 17.

Although flying was never his fulltime career, Douglas found time to fly as much as he could, while maintaining his day job in public safety before he retired. In addition to being a Young Eagles pilot, he is an independent flight instructor at Ray Community Airport (57D).

“One summer, I gave a boy a Young Eagles ride at Pioneer, and years later, he found me at Oshkosh to share that he was enrolled at the University of North Dakota, studying aviation. It’s stories like this that make what I do with the Young Eagles and the EAA so incredibly special. That feeling you get when you’ve impacted someone’s life is unmatched, and I’m very grateful to continue what I love and guide younger generations so they, too, can find a passion for flight.”

Not only does Douglas have a love for aviation, but his wife, Marla Smith, EAA Lifetime 739104, is also actively involved with the Young Eagles. Although she is not a pilot, she has volunteered with the ground crews at the Young Eagles rallies and coordinated rides alongside her husband. She and Douglas, in fact, met at AirVenture 13 years ago and enjoy coming back to Oshkosh every summer.

Douglas is a member of EAA Chapter 13 in Ray, Michigan, and Chapter 252 in Oshkosh.

OSHKOSH MOMENTS

PHOTO BY ANDREW ZABACK

PHOTO BY LAURIE GOOSSENS

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You don’t have to attend EAA’s largest annual fundraiser, The Gathering, to participate in the excitement of bidding on exclusive aviation-themed lots and experiences. You can participate virtually to support our vital mission. Bid on Silent or President’s Choice auction lots or donate via your mobile device. It’s as easy as texting GATHERING21 to 76278.

The Gathering supports EAA’s educational programs providing memorable experiences that are the heart and soul of general aviation.

Mobile Bidding is Sponsored By:

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PHOTO BY CAMDEN THRASHER PHOTO BY CHRIS MILLER

PHOTO BY JACK FLEETWOOD

PHOTO BY STEVE DAHLGREN PHOTO BY CONNOR MADISON

2021 YOUNG EAGLES ® RAFFLE WIN

this 2020 Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Proceeds benefit the EAA Young Eagles Program, which has provided more than 2.2 miLlion youth with a free first flight since 1992.

$100 per ticket – Only 1,500 tickets available

Tickets are available at the EAA Member Center, Brown Arch and Vintage area booths, in the Ford Tent, or at the EAA Aviation Museum.

The 2020 Ford Mustang GT Convertible is provided with the support of Ford Motor Company & Kocourek Ford, Wausau, Wisconsin.

*Purchase ticket at the EAA Aviation Museum™️ during normal business hours beginning December 18, 2020 or during normal operating hours at EAA®️ AirVenture®️ Oshkosh™️, from July 26, 2021 to August 1, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. All ticket sales will end on August 1, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Drawing will be held at 3:00 p.m. on August 1, 2021 at the AirVenture Welcome Center, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54902. For complete rules, visit EAA.org/YERaffle

PHOTO BY STEVE DAHLGREN PHOTO BY CONNOR MADISON

PHOTO BY LEWIS BERGHOFF

OSHKOSH MOMENTS

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