Flying in (What Was Once) a Chevy
I often wish when I’m stuck in rush hour traffic, that my car would suddenly sprout wings and fly over all the heads of those other unassuming drivers. But I’m not Brady McCormick, and my car can’t fly.
But his – well, with just a few adjustments, it’s more of a possibility than you might think.
In North Kitsap, Turning Old Cars Into New Planes
By GENE YOACHUM FOR THE KITSAP SUN
Brady McCormick has his eyes on the skies.
The machine shop owner sees an opportunity looming in building experimental aircraft power plants out of 40-year-old Corvair automobile engines.
McCormick, 42, said the recent announcement that Seattle-based Boeing Co. is opening a plant in South Carolina instead of Puget Sound “creates a vacuum’’ for aircraft manufacturing locally.
“Now’s my chance to fill that vacuum,” he said, tongue planted firmly in cheek. “I haven’t found the plans yet for a 747, but as soon as I do, they are in trouble.”
McCormick’s plans for building experimental airplanes powered by Corvair engines is no joke.
Pulled from wrecking yards and scrap heaps, engines from Chevrolet’s once-popular compact car are perfect for experimental aircraft enthusiasts to rebuild and convert into airplane engines, he said.
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