VAA Election 2023

Earl Nicholas Director

EARL’S LOVE OF FLYING came from his parents, who often took their children to airport fences to watch the airplanes. At the urging of his father, he took up flying at the Stick & Rudder Club at Waukegan airport (KUGN) and passed his private checkride in 1974.

Earl served as a board member of Stick & Rudder and later as its assistant treasurer, treasurer, and president. His first visit to the Oshkosh convention was for one day in 1981. He began volunteering on the Vintage flightline the following year and joined Vintage in 1987.

Earl has had many Vintage jobs over the years, including tracking volunteer hours, producing the Daily Aerogram, and producing volunteer name tags. He was appointed as an advisor to the board in 2015.

He serves as Vintage computer ops chairman during AirVenture, and designed and launched the Vintage website in 2013.

Joe Norris Director

JOE GREW UP ON a cranberry farm in central Wisconsin. Several neighbors had light aircraft and some had airstrips on their property, so it was always easy to be around airplanes and airplane people. A close friend of the family was ag pilot Jim Miles (EAA 158), who introduced Joe to EAA by taking him to Oshkosh for the EAA convention in 1970, where they camped under the wing of Jim’s Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser. Joe joined EAA in 1976 and became a Lifetime member in 2002. He also is a Lifetime member of VAA (VAA 5982).

Joe earned his private pilot certificate in 1978 and bought his first airplane in 1979 — a 1955 Piper Tri-Pacer. He flew it for about a year and then converted it to a PA-20 Pacer (tailwheel) configuration. He holds commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates with airplane and helicopter ratings, as well an A&P mechanic certificate with IA. Joe is also a designated airworthiness representative for experimental aircraft.

Joe has owned a number of vintage aircraft over the years, including a Waco UPF-7, a Cessna 180, and a Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser. He currently owns and flies a 1960 Piper PA-18 Super Cub.

Charlie Waterhouse Director

CHARLIE’S INVOLVEMENT IN AVIATION began at age 14 with a Young Eagles flight at the DeKalb County Airport (KGWB). Along with his father and younger brother, he started to get more involved with his local VAA chapter, and in 2010 he attended his first AirVenture where he found a passion for volunteering. He has since taken on the role of Vintage Hangar Events chairman, and currently serves on the VAA board of directors. During the summer of 2014, Charlie obtained his private pilot certificate, and in 2015, he was honored in the EAA Young Eagles Yearbook.

Charlie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Purdue University and a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Dayton. He is currently employed by the United States Air Force as a flight technology engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Charlie is also an Eagle Scout, loves the outdoors, and enjoys running in his free time. He’s currently pursuing his tailwheel endorsement and hopes to own a vintage aircraft someday.

Kathy Mcgurran Director

KATHY WAS INTRODUCED TO aviation when she was 3. Years later, she had her first ride in a Cessna 170, inspiring her lifelong passion for flying and vintage aircraft. Soon after, she purchased her own 1960 Cessna 150, which she flew to obtain her private pilot certificate.

Kathy flew her C-150 to her first EAA convention in 1997, flying along with friends in a C-170 and a J-3 Cub. Camping in the Antique/Classic area, Kathy was parking airplanes the second day and has volunteered with Vintage every year since. Kathy became a co-chairman of the Vintage Flightline and works closely with Vintage and all other parking and leadership entities on the field every year to ensure safe and smooth operations throughout AirVenture.

After attending board meetings during her time as chairman, Kathy was appointed as an advisor to the VAA board. Through the advisor position, with input from flightline chairmen, several key initiatives have been presented to the VAA board to improve flightline safety and membership parking during convention.

While managing her career, she completed her instrument rating and made many cross-country trips to Oshkosh, most recently with two other female pilots in her Navion L-17. She is working on her tailwheel endorsement in a recently acquired Piper PA-11. Kathy and her husband’s love of flying has led to many adventures in their airplane.

Kathy still serves as vice chairman of Vintage Parking and Safety. Her passion for aviation has led to volunteer opportunities in the Denver area, at the Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Museum, and in flying missions with her husband for Pilots N Paws. Kathy credits her love of aviation to the many Antique/Classic and Vintage members who came before her and strives to continue carrying this message to the next generation.