My father, Jack Bilak, built this RV-7 experimental aircraft in his garage and at the Del Norte Airport over the course of six and a half years. It first flew last summer and he recently had it jazzed up with this stunning paint job. It is very fast as it cruises at 200 mph, with a top speed of 230 mph. It has acrobatic capabilities and has done spins, loops, and rolls - oh my!
Ever since Dad was a small child in Pennsylvania, he has loved airplanes. After high school, he joined the Air Force and served as a flight medic in Vietnam. But it wasn't until he retired as a captain from the Air Force that he received his private pilots license.
Dad continues his career part-time in Del Norte, Colorado, as a Physician's Assistant. He didn't take any prolonged breaks from working on the plane. And he did all of the work himself, the instrument panel included. When it came to the fuselage, the body of the plane, it took him two weeks just to inventory the pieces. 
Dad would like to thank all of his friends for their moral support and helping hands!!!
I am glad to see the plane finally built. Jack is a friend of a friend of mine; while visiting them, he took me up for a ride in his Cessna, then invited me over to see this plane he was building in his garage. He even let me rivet an inspection plate on the tail. Really look great Jack.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous job. He can be rightfully proud. Please thank him for his service. - an appreciative American
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