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Thread: Gonserkevis Poor Man's Cherokee

  1. #1
    cluttonfred's Avatar
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    Gonserkevis Poor Man's Cherokee

    While looking for something else in the Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage, I came across the entry for the Gonserkevis Poor Man's Cherokee (NACA 65-415 from root to tip) and was intrigued. A little Google turned up Alphonse Gonserkevis's 1990 obituary (excerpt below) and the EAA SPORT AVIATION archives provided exactly one photo, a listing in connection with a fly-in but spelled Charaque (perhaps Piper objected?) and a few other mentions of Gonserkevis himself, apparently a very active EAA member. The aircraft appears to be active and in the hands of another owner, not bad after a few decades. That's all I know, does anyone have any more info on this little plane? Cheers, Matthew


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    In the 1960s, Mr. Gonserkevis, a former welder and air conditioning and heating contractor, joined the Experimental Aircraft Association and built his first aircraft, a low-winged single-passenger sport plane called a Fly Baby.

    Over the next decade, he built many more planes in his garage and basement, culminating in his largest project, a low-winged two-passenger sport plane he designed as a low-cost, home-built variation of a Piper Cherokee.

    "The Piper Cherokee cost $30,000 at the time," said his son, Michael J. Gonserkevis of Mullica Hill. "If (my father) spent $8,000, that was a lot." Mr. Gonserkevis first flew his Poor Man's Cherokee in 1970 out of the Pitman Airport, which closed about three years ago. He also flew out of the former Bridgeport Airport, Cross Keys Airport and Leddens Airfield in Aura, Gloucester County.

    He was designated as a technical adviser to the Experimental Aircraft Association 12 years ago.
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    Last edited by cluttonfred; 09-10-2013 at 05:54 AM.
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    Matthew Long, Editor
    cluttonfred.info
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  2. #2

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    Poor Man's Cherokee

    Quote Originally Posted by cluttonfred View Post
    While looking for something else in the Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage, I came across the entry for the Gonserkevis Poor Man's Cherokee (NACA 65-415 from root to tip) and was intrigued. A little Google turned up Alphonse Gonserkevis's 1990 obituary (excerpt below) and the EAA SPORT AVIATION archives provided exactly one photo, a listing in connection with a fly-in but spelled Charaque (perhaps Piper objected?) and a few other mentions of Gonserkevis himself, apparently a very active EAA member. The aircraft appears to be active and in the hands of another owner, not bad after a few decades. That's all I know, does anyone have any more info on this little plane? Cheers, Matthew


    Name:  poor mans cherokee.jpg
Views: 2466
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    The airplane appears to be a Davis DA-5A fuselage with conventional tail surfaces and a different wing section. I'm a big Davis fan, so I wonder how this airplane flew in comparison? I believe the Davis DA-5A was actually referred to as a "poor man's Cherokee" in a flight review by Bud Davisson.

    Frank Gaggia Jr
    EAA 11549

  3. #3
    cluttonfred's Avatar
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    Yes, it does have a definite Davis air about it, though it's hard to be sure without more photos. Frank, did you mean Davis DA-2A?

    Quote Originally Posted by Frank Gaggia Jr View Post
    The airplane appears to be a Davis DA-5A fuselage with conventional tail surfaces and a different wing section. I'm a big Davis fan, so I wonder how this airplane flew in comparison? I believe the Davis DA-5A was actually referred to as a "poor man's Cherokee" in a flight review by Bud Davisson.

    Frank Gaggia Jr
    EAA 11549
    *******
    Matthew Long, Editor
    cluttonfred.info
    A site for builders, owners and fans of Eric Clutton's FRED
    and other safe, simple, affordable homebuilt aircraft

  4. #4

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    Poor Man's Cherokee

    Quote Originally Posted by cluttonfred View Post
    Yes, it does have a definite Davis air about it, though it's hard to be sure without more photos. Frank, did you mean Davis DA-2A?
    Yes, of course, it's a Davis DA-2A! Thanks for catching me on that one! If you look at a picture of one you'll see it's the same fuselage (in my opinion). I'm also a FRED fan, by the way!

  5. #5

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    I have this airplane. The builder listed the airfoil as NACA 63(3)-615 so I will have to measure the wing to determine the correct airfoil. The airplane flys nicely with soft landings at full 30 degree flaps due to the ground effect.

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