Eric Muehlberg

Newcastle, OK

“Aviation has always been a big part of my life.”  The grandson of a World War I aviator and the son of an Air Force Korean War veteran, Eric Muehlberg has aviation in his blood.  Properly indoctrinated as a youth, he built hundreds of scaled plastic, control line and radio control model airplanes.  He was an active member of the Aviation Explorers program and spent his free time at the local airports and model airplane flying fields.  After a few starts and stops he earned a private pilot certificate in 1985. With the license in hand he promptly purchased his first airplane, a Piper Tomahawk, logging over 250 hours in it and flying to the 1986 EAA fly-in during his first year as a pilot.  In 2001 he earned his A&P certificate.

Over the last 30 years Eric has served in various chapter leadership positions.  While he currently serves as the Chapter 1612 president, he is active in the other two Oklahoma City area chapters, EAA Chapter 24 and 1098.  He led the Chapter 24 member built Kitfox project until its completion.  He is also an active Young Eagle pilot having flown over 340 to date and serves as a technical counselor in two EAA chapters.  He also served as a member of the EAA Chapter Advisory Council for 6 years.

Over the years he has built or restored several aircraft including a Monnet Moni, Fisher Avenger V, Zenith 650, Piper Colt, SPA Panther LS and Thatcher CX4. His most recent project completion was a Zenith 750 STOL.  His current projects include a Zenith 650 and a 750 Cruzer.

Although military assignments took priority many times, he has attended AirVenture-Oshkosh over 39 times since his first in1976, not missing a year since 1995.  Eric has served as an AirVenture volunteer since 2001 working in several areas including the Homebuilder workshops, Vintage/Classic Flightline operations, the KidVenture control line flying circle, the Chapter Blue Barn and the three One Week Wonder Projects.

During his professional career he served initially as a US Army enlisted soldier. After completing his degree, he continued to serve as an US Army Engineer officer retiring in 1997.  Following his military career he worked as a high school educator.  It was in that role he developed and taught a high school Aerospace Careers course that influenced many students to pursue careers in aerospace.