Stuart’s Life Experience
Stuart’s experience with aircraft design and building Experimental aircraft started in 1976. His experience in the aerospace/defense industries as an engineer started in 1979 after graduating with a double major in Automotive and in Aerospace technologies. He has been a member of EAA since 1981. Stuart is qualified on both sides of engineering and building components for aircraft and automobiles. Born in Fort Leonard Wood, MO in 1956 and then growing up in Gladstone MO Stuart started his mechanic skills with lawnmower engines then moved up to automotive maintenance in high school. A love for everything in aircraft and aerospace started much earlier with building static models and then fly-by-wire models. While in college Stuart earned his private pilot’s license and graduated in 1979.
After graduating, Stuart’s career led him to working on aircraft, missile systems, electro-optic weapon systems, satellite systems, and space shuttle components. In addition to working on his career full time, Stuart continued to pursue his hobbies which included working on hot rods, swapping V8 engines into Chevy Vegas, MGB GT’s, and boats. As an active member in various EAA Chapters he also helped friends complete their homebuilt aircraft. While living in Orlando FL he was also a part-time volunteer at Tom Riley Aviation in Kissimmee FL helping to restore various warbird projects. Currently, Stuart has a Wheeler Express under construction and plans to install the BW350 and LS engine combination in it too. Look for it at future aviation events.
One of Stuart’s major interests in experimental aircraft has always been the use of alternative engines. He has followed the development of both automotive engines, modifications, and PSRU designs for over 35 years. In his opinion, Bud Warren’s design is the most successful design fixing all the major problems that have plagued other designs by solving them with creative yet simple features, plus holding the promise of a long service life as well. It is Stuart’s plan to take Bud’s design and features to the next level with a series of refinements and improvements while continuing to support previous customers of Geared Drives. Stuart shares many of Bud’s philosophies/beliefs and plans to provide the same high level of quality parts, services, and support to all of his customers.
In 2012 Auto PSRU’s took the time needed to get everything transferred from Conroe TX to our first location, then our current location, set up, staffed, and pick up where the previous company left off in 2010. A lot has been accomplished since 2012 and we look forward to more future growth and developments. Auto PSRU’s has exhibits at Sun ‘n Fun and at AirVenture every year. You can meet Stuart there, or if you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area drop by our hangar on the Hillsboro Airport (KINJ).