By Mike Davenport, Langley, British Columbia
While time waits for no man, sometimes the aging process seems to be put on hold for several airplanes at the Langley, British Columbia, airport. Located in the lower mainland of British Columbia, this busy regional airport has three flight schools, numerous aviation-related businesses, and a large general aviation population. The majority of GA aircraft are located on the west side of the airport and are housed in a number of both new and older hangars.
While prowling around the hangars for more years than I care to remember, I have seen a large population of amateur-built airplanes. They include a significant number of newer metal ones built from kits. Three that were built from plans over 50 years ago stand out as special; an Emeraude, a Volmer Sportsman, and a Steen Skybolt. What follows is the story of one of those three.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, scratchbuilt aircraft were the way to go in order for the ‘average Joe’ to own an airplane. Most were built from plans and a materials list as very few kits were available. One of those plansbuilt airplanes that has survived to this day is a meticulously maintained Piel 328 Super Emeraude.
Colin Walker, a cabinet maker who was renowned for his woodworking skills, handcrafted this all-wood beauty beginning in 1970 and completing it in 1981 at a cost of $10,000 (this converted to 2025 dollars would be somewhere north of $36,000).
I had the opportunity to visit his basement shop in suburban Vancouver and admire the complex elliptical wing then under construction. I recall some lighthearted discussion about finding a transparent covering as it would be a shame to hide his exemplary woodwork.
Today the Emeraude is owned and flown regularly by his son, Sean, who has known the airplane since birth. In addition to the usual local flights to fly-ins and air shows, he has flown the Emeraude on numerous trips to Ottawa, a round-trip distance of 8,600 kilometres; that is 5,300 miles for the metrically challenged.
Sean, while adding some 600 Emeraude hours to his logbook, is carrying on with his father’s reputation for skill and tenacity as he nears completion of an exceptional Glasair Sportsman 2+2.
