John Duncan

Maple, North Carolina

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of watching airplanes and knowing that’s what I wanted to do with my life. I kept watching and hanging out at the local airport until I was old enough to start taking lessons. I soloed at 16 and was a CFI by 19. In high school, I owned and flew an Aeronca 11AC, as well as a Breezy I helped build. In my early career, I instructed and flew in business aviation.

While bigger, faster, and higher were always a draw, I’ve continued to maintain a connection with low and slow aircraft. For me, the serenity of flying in the open, slow, and low cannot be matched by anything else.

My interest in aviation safety led me to the FAA in 1986. A large part of my FAA career was focused on general aviation, including light sport and ultralights. I had the pleasure of working with EAA regularly.

Now, retired from the FAA, I live in an aviation community where I own, maintain, and fly a Flight Design CTSW, an Ercoupe 415 C/D, and a SkyBoy UL. My family are also aviation enthusiasts and we camp together at AirVenture every year.

My childhood love of aviation has not diminished. I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to support and grow the ultralight and LSA communities.