This month’s spotlight is on Ken Schwartz. Ken is not the man he once was… but more on that later. Ken, one of the founding members and first president of EAA 1541, is currently our Vice President. Ken is always doing something to help our chapter, and is a source of good financial advice to keep our chapter going the correct direction, financially. If EAA 1541 has an event, Ken always seems to be involved. (Ken, can we clone you)?

Ken started flying in 1989 and took his first solo flight with only 3.9 hours of instruction. He currently holds a Private Pilot License, Land, with an add-on rating of Powered Parachute, Land. Ken has approximately 550 hours to his credit. He has owned several ultralights, powered parachutes, powered para-gliders, 6 certificated aircraft, 6 experimental aircraft, and is currently building an RV-6A at Lincoln. Ken’s first airplane was a Mooney M20E. Ken is now a new owner of a Flight Design CTSW Light Sport and will soon hold a Light Sport Repairman’s certificate and be a Rotax factory certified Technician.

Ken worked for many years in law enforcement, including Solano County Dept of Corrections (where he retired), Yuba City Police Dept, and Sutter County Sheriff’s Dept. Ken currently works for ATT Wireless as an I.T. Tech supporting their wireless stores. From law enforcement to tech, plus having a pilot’s license. What a great, full life. And, Ken is only 54 years old so he’s not even close to being done.

Earlier I wrote that Ken is “not the man he once was”. Ken has embarked on an aggressive weight loss program, losing 70 lbs in 7 months. This will definitely affect Ken’s weight and balance calcs for airplanes. Way to go Ken.