Gene Borne

 Gene’s ultralight/sport plane career started in the late ‘70s, and he’s currently owner/partner at Air-Tech Inc., a family owned and operated ultralight and sport plane manufacturer located in South Louisiana. The Air-Tech Inc. product line includes the legendary Quicksilver series, and he developed and still produces many products for the ultralight and light-sport airplane industry. For more than 45 years, he has been an EAA AirVenture commercial exhibitor.

Gene has served on aviation boards including the FAA Safety Council, and at Port of South Louisiana Executive Airport (KAPS) he served as the president of the Airport Advisory Board and was an FBO operator/partner. He is currently president of EAA Chapter 971 and chairman of the EAA Ultralight & Light-Sport Aircraft Council. 

His first instructor rating was from the United States Hang Gliding Association in 1979, and he’s also received instructor ratings from EAA, ASC, and USUA, and he now is also a sport pilot CFI. Gene was the primary advisor in the formation of the Louisiana Ultralight Pilot/Instructors program as well as the 2004 FAR Part 103 and light-sport aircraft process.

To date he has logged more than 5,000 hours in ultralights, light planes, and GA aircraft. He is an SEL and SES rated pilot, owns and maintains several classic and antique aircraft including a 1946 J-3 Cub. In 2022 he was inducted into EAA’s Ultralights Hall of Fame. Gene is an active FAA DAR and serves as developmental advisor to several sport plane manufacturers.