Employee Spotlight: Dave Conrad’s Air Adventures
Wausau, WI – August 4, 2021: Within the walls of CTech’s headquarters in central Wisconsin, Dave Conrad is working hard to make sure that machines are running efficiently and new technologies are being used to their full potential. Dave has been with CTech for 8 years in a critical Product Development engineering role, where he enjoys designing parts and problem solving on a daily basis.
Dave says “…every day is an adventure.” at CTech, and he knows a thing or two about adventure; air adventures specifically. He’s got 40 years of experience in experimental aircraft and aviation; built two airplanes from scratch (one was a national award winner), and serves as a Technical Counsellor for the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Learn, Build, Fly.
Outside of work, you can find Dave at the Wausau Downtown Airport. There, he teaches hands-on skills to the next generation of aviators and aerospace engineers in a special CTech-equipped hangar. Known as “ Learn, Build, Fly“, Dave and a growing group of dedicated volunteers spend hours helping students build experimental aircraft from the ground up.
“Our group was formed in 2013, and incorporated as a 501-C3 nonprofit in 2015. We focus on engineering and aviation. We teach the interface between computer and machine by using 3D printers, laser, CNC mills, CNC plasma cutter, and others to build creations.” -Dave C.
With the EAA Airventure festival unfolding just miles away, Dave and his team helped host the first-ever EAA AirVenture Cup Race quite literally on the doorstep of their own makerspace.
A headline event in EAA’s weeklong festival, the AirVenture Cup Race is a cross-country air race open to a wide variety of pilots and aircraft. Pilots take off from Wausau Downtown Airport, complete a predetermined flight path and return to cross the finish line.
“This is probably the second largest air race in the country. These pilots and builders were very excited to see our efforts in the areas of engineering and construction as well as our focus on the youth in our area.” -Dave C.