Long Time Friend of Louisiana Ultralight Community Receives Honor for Service to the Industry

Gene “Bever” Borne has been announced as one of 5 upcoming inductees of the EAA Ultralights Hall of Fame this November. 

Once inducted, Borne will take his place in the annals of Ultralight history among similarly esteemed aviators. The EAA has been announcing the new additions to the Hall in the weeks leading up to their recognition, allowing each member to receive the requisite attention due given all they've done for the organization's mission. Borne hails from Reserve, Louisiana, breaking into the ultralight business in 1976 and catching the wave of a burgeoning aviation niche. It was the perfect time for him to start acquiring his ratings, and Borne quickly set about becoming a US Hang Gliding Association pilot and instructor. Active in the local and national ultralight scene into the 80's, Borne began assisting in the creation FAA's Part 103 Ultralight regulations while working on a solo training system.

That expertise came in handy later on when he once again supported the regulatory process, helping to establish the FAA's sport pilot and light sport regulations. 

Throughout his career, Borne has logged more than 5,000 hours instructing in ultralight-type aircraft, with plenty more experience flying traditional single-engine land and even sea aircraft. Today, he serves as an FAA designated airworthiness representative in addition to consulting on numerous aviation boards and committees promoting aviation safety. To a similar end, Borne and his family operate Air-Tech Inc, an ultralight and light aircraft manufacturing company. Today, it's the sole licensee to produce the Quicksilver aircraft design in the United States. Borne's business remains in his old stomping grounds of Reserve, Louisiana at the Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport (KAPS). 

FMI: www.eaa.org