cluttonfred
09-10-2013, 05:29 AM
While looking for something else in the Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage (http://aerospace.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html), 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 (http://articles.philly.com/1990-10-16/news/25894766_1_building-committee-sport-plane-sewell) (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
3223
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.
3223
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.