Wayne Cook

Wayne has held a fascination for flight and innovation from quite early in his life. His first airplane consisted of a fan-driven electric heater (looked like a real propeller), boxes & blankets. It put out a very satisfying amount of noise and exhaust smoke, until his Mom shut down flight operations due to low visibility conditions.

As an adult, Wayne’s flying career began when he worked for a multi-faceted aviation company blending a builder’s assistance program (Seawind, turbine Legend, others), with an FBO and flight school, along with restoration of amphibious Grumman Widgeons. Although his role was as MIS, close association with a deeply experienced group of aviation professionals coupled with the ability to fly on the job led him to earning of his private pilot’s certificate. He went on to develop special interest in seaplanes and bush-flying. Wayne is currently restoring his Kitfox III/IV homebuilt aircraft to airworthy status.

Wayne was a building contractor specializing in architectural woodworking for many years. He developed a passion for boat-building, furniture and fine cabinetry in those years and he continues to enjoy hands-on design and building with quality tools.

Wayne served as President of EAA Chapter 124 in Santa Rosa from 2011 through 2014, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of that organization. He has also served on the Board of Directors of CAFE Foundation for a number of years. He designed and conducted all of the precision weighing of aircraft during the 2011 NASA Green Flight Challenge.