About

Aero-Vintage Enterprises

Terry Bowden has spent his professional career striving to support the American right to "Keep the Antiques Flying".   Aero-Vintage Enterprises includes the different business segments offered through Terry and his associates with a "Vintage Airplane" friendly slant.   Active in the latest aerospace technologies, our network of aviation professionals also understand yesterday's flying machines.  The skills, techniques, and know-how from aviation's past remain alive and available here.

Operating as an engineering consultant and FAA DER since 2003, Terry Bowden's sole proprietorship has grown steadily as a home business aside from his regular job as Chief Engineer at a major business aircraft modification company.  Today he relies on help from other professionals to support the steady flow of word-of-mouth business as well as ongoing projects with returning clientele. Aero-Vintage Enterprises (AV) is the next logical step for Terry in 2011.  Significant short-term growth is not the plan, but instead  the AV platform is intended to develop and broaden VINTAGE AIRPLANE services for the future. The AV business model provides expertise in all engineering technical disciplines as well as airworthiness, inspections, parts fabrication, and maintenance support.  There are plans to eventually expand into antique airplane restorations. Through the will of God, Terry hopes to achieve a steady increase in name recognition and collaboration opportunities, long-term.

Certified Aeronautical Products

Certified Aeronautical Products (CAP) holds FAA approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) authority for modifications of small airplanes.  The company was born in 2007 as a result of the FAA's tightening restrictions on Field Approvals.  CAP completed it's first STC project for upgrading the tandem series Taylorcraft airplanes with three different engine horsepower upgrades.  Providing fleet-support as an STC holder led into other opportunities for CAP to specialize in customer service and FAA approved paperwork for the Taylorcraft line of airplanes.  Then, in 2010, CAP expanded its Taylorcraft support through the purchase of the existing STC (known as the Gilberti-Harer STC) for a similar engine upgrade of the side-by-side series Taylorcraft airplanes.  CAP continues expanding into additional products that improve VINTAGE AIRPLANES. To find out more about CAP look for us online at www.dc65stc.blogspot.com.

Terry L. Bowden, Consultant DER
From the age of four, Terry followed close to the heels of his father John R. Bowden through many antique airplane adventures from their Central Texas home base of Deer Pasture Airfield in Lampasas Texas.  Assisting his Dad in the restorations of more than ten vintage airplanes, Terry learned the basic mechanics of wing building, fabric covering, and sheet metal work.  By the age of 15 Terry had developed flying skills in tailwheel airplanes and a passionate cause for aviation. He earned his Private Pilot's license by the age of 19.  The experiences of those early days have carried him beyond old airplanes into a rewarding aviation career.

Terry and father John, 1979

Terry graduated from Parks College of Saint Louis University with a B.S. degree in Aeronautics, specializing in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and then spent 5 years working as an A&P mechanic doing STC aircraft modifications and engine installations at RAM Aircraft in Waco TX.  Terry was promoted to Draftsman, and then Project Engineer with RAM until 1996 when he went to work for Bombardier Flight Test Center.  There in Wichita KS, he worked his way up to Senior Engineer on the Learjet Model 45 Type Certification (TC) Program as a member of the Powerplant and Fuel Systems group.  Terry gained valuable experience as flight test engineer and as a key member of the FAR Part 25 TC certification team. The four+ year stint at Learjet included work in turbine engine and software controls integration, fuel system performance, thrust reversers, and various other complex systems. After certification of the M45, Terry returned in 2001 to Waco TX where he worked for two years as Chief Engineer at Cen-Tex Aerospace, a consulting firm developing STC and PMA products for various companies.  Opportunity arose in 2003 for Terry to return to RAM Aircraft where he has served as Chief Engineer and ODA Administrator, ever since.

In 2003, the FAA recognized Terry's engineering knowledge, skills, experience, and impartial judgment, and delegated him as Designated Engineering Representative (DER)   Terry has exercised the responsibilities of this public service since that time supporting more than 35 companies and numerous individuals to certify aeronautical products and improvements.  His recent delegation as a "V" DER brings Terry back to his vintage airplane roots.

Barnstmr's Random Aeronautics

It's not that easy to explain, but here is a try.  The internet gives us some creative ways to share and enjoy our hobbies.  One of Terry's favorite ways is through blogging about all of his random aeronautical interests.  He created Barnstmr's Random Aeronautics in 2006.  There, you'll find stories, photos, and mini-blurbs about aviation history, people, events, airplanes, maintenance, restoration, and other things on Terry's mind.  Who know's what will come next?  But you can bet is has something to do with airplanes.  That's why it is Random Aeronautics.  "Barnstmr" is a contracted word created by a computer from the base word "Barnstormer". Back when the internet was new, email addresses were limited in the # of characters you could assign.  So after trying the "barnstormer" handle on AOL, the computer recommended "barnstmr@aol.com" for Terry's email address.  The name stuck.  Barnstmr has become Terry's handle for email, blogging, forum participation, and more. Such is the origin for "Barnstmr's Random Aeronautics".  If you still are wondering what it is... you'll just have to click HERE to find out.

Pioneer Aviation, Estb. 1976

Continuing the company name started in the 1976 by Terry and his Dad, Terry has resurrected Pioneer Aviation to offer aircraft maintenance and restoration shop services.  Operating an 80' X 80' hangar at from Deer Pasture Airfield in Lampasas, TX, Pioneer Aviation is currently limited to small return-to-service work and some sheet metal and wood working jobs.  Plans are to grow slowly to the point of providing full maintenance services, including annual inspections and ground-up restorations on all classes of airplanes that are able to operate in and out of the 2000' grass airstrip.

Terry's Personal Life
Terry is married with six children, all teenagers.  Terry and his wife Leann enjoy rural Texas living and are active in their community and church. Although very busy with family, they steal an occasional opportunity to fly somewhere together. Terry continues in his hobby of restoring and flying antique airplanes.  He currently has a flying 1946 Taylorcraft.  Other projects waiting for more of Terry's free time include a 1929 Travel Air 4000 biplane and a home built replica of a 1932 Pietenpol Air Camper.

Here's what its all about!  (click to enlarge photo)