More Information about the Whitcraft 165
November 2015’s airplane was a Whitcraft 165, designed and built by Mickey Whittenburg of Kiln, Mississippi.
Ever since completing his first solo flight at age 17 in 1947, Whittenburg (EAA Lifetime 415) has been encouraging builders and been deeply rooted in the aviation community and their projects as well as promoting aviation safety.
He joined EAA in 1955, becoming one of the first 500 members of the EAA, which had formed two years earlier.
Whittenburg, who established Whitcraft Corporation in 1960 as a jet-engine parts manufacturer, helped others by building parts for homebuilt aircraft for decades, in addition to completing his own homebuilt projects.
He flew his first original-design homebuilt, a Whitcraft 165, to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh twice, and has also built a Hummel Bird, two Challengers, and a modified Ultra Pup. Always one to lend a helping hand, Whittenburg has helped other builders compete a Pietenpol, Bearhawk, Highlander, Zenith 701, RV-12, and Sonex.
Since becoming an EAA technical counselor in 2001, Whittenburg has inspected many building projects along the Gulf Coast and now also serves as a flight advisor in helping pilots with their first flights.
Despite losing his home, shop, and aircraft in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Whittenburg pressed on in his commitment to homebuilts—moving 10 miles north where he built a new shop and a new aircraft, a modified Cub featuring one seat, folding wings, and a trailer.
An active member of EAA Chapter 479 based at Diamondhead Airport in Diamondhead, Mississippi, Whittenburg displays his modified Cub at the chapter’s Young Eagles events and educates attendees on the possibilities aviation holds for them. For many years, he has volunteered his time at EAA AirVenture and the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, teaching gas welding, sheet metal, and tech counselor workshops.
The Bingelis Award was given to Whittenburg during the EAA AirVenture homebuilders dinner on Thursday, July 28, 2011, during the annual EAA AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh.
