John von Linsowe
Metamora, Michigan
John von Linsowe retired after a 40-year career as an engineer in the automotive industry, allowing him to dedicate himself fully to his lifelong passion for aviation. Raised in an aviation family immersed in model and general aviation, he has been an EAA member since 1978. He lives on his private airstrip in Michigan.
He earned his Private Pilot Certificate in 1976, shortly after high school graduation, and went on to obtain Commercial, Instrument, Glider, Seaplane, and Flight Instructor certificates and ratings. Red Baron Aviation LLC was formed for his instruction and aviation services. John has aerobatic experience, competing successfully in IAC events—including three Michigan State Championships in the Sportsman category—and performing in airshows in his Pitts S-1 homebuilt. He has also provided aerobatic instruction in a Decathlon. His EAA Oshkosh award-winning 1948 Cessna 140 has been a family aircraft since 1999, while his experimental Van’s RV-7 has enabled cross-country travel with his wife, Dian, and participation in formal formation flying. He also enjoys “low and slow” flying in his ultralight B1-RD. John has flown over 150 different aircraft.
John’s ultralight roots run deep. In the 1980s, his father, John Sr., was a Maxair Drifter dealer, giving John early hands-on experience with ultralight aircraft. He returned to this segment in 2020 as an ultralight primary and transition instructor with the Michigan Ultralight Association, flying their M-Squared Breeze 2. He currently serves as Chief Flight Instructor and Safety Officer for the club, contributes a monthly column titled “From the Right Seat” to their newsletter, and specializes in transition training, tailwheel endorsements, and flight reviews across multiple aircraft types. John is the EAA Chapter 77 Flight Advisor.
John works part time at an aircraft maintenance facility. He recently earned his LSRIA rating providing additional freedoms/responsibilities with his own aircraft.
John views the growth of ultralight (UL) and light-sport (LS) aviation as a rare opportunity to expand the freedom of flight for a new generation of pilots. He believes this expansion must be paired with strong emphasis on education, instruction, safety, and personal responsibility to ensure its long-term success.
