My Profile:
Marty J. King
Background:
I began flying at the tender age of 12, taking my first lesson
in 1968 in a Beech Sport. A short tine later I was introduced to Milton Hatfield (photo lower right) who was a local legend in our flying community. Milt
learned to fly in the 20's, flew mail and passengers in a Curtis Robin, ran several
airports in the Midwest, taught flying and did airshows in a Monocoupe 90A. During W.W.II
he served a a flight commander in the Army Air Corps and taught hundreds of cadets in both
primary and advanced. He was also authorized to teach aerobatics and spent many hours in
Stearmans and AT6's . When I started flying with Milt in 1968 he had logged over 18,000
hours in singles and twins. Most of that time was spent giving instruction. 
During the time I knew him he was an avid inventor. He designed
several low aspect wing aircraft (flying wings) based on the ARUP design that he test flew
long with another pilot, Jimmy Dolittle, in the early 30's. He took me under his wing and
taught me not only to fly and fix airplanes (and anything else that broke), but the
reasons (aeronautical theory) why airplanes act the way the do.
I learned my first aerobatics at the age of 15 and
developed the skills necessary to compete in IAC. I soloed at 16 (before I could legally
drive) and earned my license shortly after.
We rebuilt many aircraft together including a Piper PA12, Aeronca
Defender (pictured left and above), Piper J3 Cub and quite a few Spam cans (Cessna 150's,
172's etc.). I have built/restored and owned an EAA biplane, Bellanca Citabria, Cessna
150, Monett Sonerai IIL, Aerospatiale Rallye a Mini Max ultralite and a host of
others.
I am a Private pilot and hold an A&P
certificate.
The relationship with Milt was one of mentor and
student. At the beginning of our studies he told me that there was no cost for what he had
to teach me but, I had to promise that one day, I to would have to become the mentor and
pass the knowledge on just as he did.
Milt passed away in 1995 but his legacy
lives on. Little bird above was recruited by the South Bend Regional Airport as
their central display in the main concourse. It was modified to more resemble
the original ARUP design but it is still Little Bird!
Profession:
I grew up working in the music business going from retail to a
manufacturers rep and back to retail from 1972 to 1991. In 1991 I started my own business,
KING AERO AVIATION SPECIALTIES, INC, that rebuilt and restored antique aircraft. From
Taylorcafts to Stearmans( see photos below). Fabric and paint work was my specialty. I
sold the company assets in 1995. As a side note, I have found out how to make a
million dollars in the aviation business, start out with two million! From
1987 all the way to 2002 I also worked as a computer consultant. I specialized
in local and wide area network design and installation. I spent 6 years at
Penn Harris Madison school corporation, first as an operations guy, then 5 years
as Director of Information and Technology.
Presently, I am president of 1Ucontrol, Inc. a
company that manufactures software to control video systems via IP based in
Granger,
Indiana.
Interests:
I have been involved in modeling most of my life and RC/Modeling
since 1979 and have enjoyed almost every facet, designing, building and flying. To keep
one fresh in the hobby you need to try different areas. I've done 1/4 scale, pattern,
general sport flying and gliders (both slope and thermal). I counted them up to see just
how many I've built. I have designed and built 3 of my own low aspect sport airplanes,
constructed and flown 50+ kits and scratch built another 4. Remember, too, I was building and restoring full scale aircraft during this
period! In the last few years my health has degraded and I no longer am able to fly full
scale. So I have focused in on RC Aerobatics as an extension of what I learned and
perfected over the years. I formed EAA Chapter 938 in Nappanee, Indiana and served
as president for the first 6 years. I am also an EAA Technical Advisor.
Photos of some of the planes I've built and
restorations I've done:
Click on the link to see the photo
Sonerai IIL
Experimental, 2180CC VW Engine 90HP
1941 Taylorcraft BC65
NC26636, 65HP Continental
last updated 2-11-2009