We are people who are crazy about airplanes. Just like you. Some of us still fly and compete actively. Others no longer fly but volunteer regularly. (Ours is a sport that simply could not exist without volunteers). A few of us never got around to actually flying aerobatics but participate strictly for the camaraderie, the contest sunburn and the roar of Lycomings at redline. Listed below are just a handful of our 30 active members.
Ray Harris (driving) no longer flies but he is inarguably one of the most active members of the chapter. He can be found volunteering at nearly every contest between Virgina and Vermont. He served as a mechanic, Load Master and crew chief in the Air Force with a stint in Vietnam. After his service Ray earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a Masters in Metallurgy. He retired from an executive position at Petroleum Product Corp in 2014 and now works as an engineer consultant. He has been a member of IAC 58 since 1999.
Chris Murley is the co-owner of Griggs Aviation, a maintenance and aircraft refurbishment facility in Tunkhannock, PA. Chris took over the "Wolf" line of Pitts Special modifications made famous by the legendary Steve Wolf. If that's not enough, Chris has built a one of a kind, heavily modified and truly stunning Acrosport IIs and has been competing successfully with it since 2018.
Tom "T-Bone" Barrett (left) has been a CFI for 40 years. He continues to pass on his extensive aerobatic and tailwheel knowledge using his American Champion Citabria. T-Bone has also served Contest Director for the Wildwoods Acroblast! aerobatic contest which our chapter proudly hosts.
Eric Anderson (right) is the current chapter president. He feeds his aerobatic habit by flying professionally for United Airlines. Eric has been competing since 2013.
For most aerobats in the US, Bill Finagin needs no introduction. He has achieved the rank of 2 Star Admiral in the US Navy. He has served as an exclusive US dealer for Aviat Aircraft selling the Husky and Pitts lines of superior flying machines. He is the go-to guy for anyone who needs to build or rebuild a solid foundation in spins (which, if we are honest, is just about all of us). He teaches those wonderful spins and much more using his Pitts S-2C. For many years Bill has been a top National Judge and continues to teach initial and recurrent judges' schools for the IAC. Pictured here in a yellow shirt Bill is filling his most requested role: serving as Chief Judge for regional contests like ours, the Wildwoods Acroblast! And if this short bio fails to impress, Dr. Finagin is also a dentist.
Keith Doyne joined IAC 58 in 1987. He has volunteered as chapter president, vice-president and newsletter editor. At the Maytown and Wildwood aerobatic contests, he served as technical inspector and starter. Keith was the Safety Director for US Nationals in 2019 and today he serves as the IAC Safety Committee Chairperson. He has competed in gliders in the Primary and Sportsman categories.
