American Way, the American Airlines seatback pocket magazine, introduced Wally Perry to our Wright Flyer Project. Dave Holmstrom's article on our project in the December 15, 1986 issue of that publication caught Wally's eye and brought him to us on July 25, 1987.
He has been a talented, faithful, versatile and stalwart human resource, supporting our progress ever since - nearly to his last day - in spite of unyielding physical pain.
Over 9 years ago, Wally immediately dove into project activities
lending his considerable mechanical skills, materials and tools to
the construction of a propulsion test stand on which to install and
test the entire Wright Flyer wind tunnel propulsion system, including
the electric motor, chain drive and propellors. This was a most
successful test, allowing us to run the system for two hours at speeds
up to 110% without vibration or failure. This was but the first of
many project tasks which were to benefit from Wally's touch. He will
be missed.