MAIN MENU CONTRIBUTORS MENU RECENT ADDITIONS 1000AIRCRAFTPHOTOS.COM KEN HETGE COLLECTION

Contact

Photos

"I got the bug at about age nine." That's how Ken sums up the reason for his avid interest in airplanes over his entire life. "I grew up in Alton, Illinois and spent too many hours with my nose hanging over the fence." The object of his attention was Walston Aviation-the biggest Cessna dealer in the world. "Since St. Louis was right across the river, numerous hours were also spent watching airliners land at Lambert Field." His interest progressed from plastic models, to flying models, and finally to flying lessons at a little grass strip in Jerseyville, Illinois. Ken earned an A&P license at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's aviation school. Ken then spent 5 early years working for United Airlines and now makes a living doing the technical part of the aircraft leasing business. Ken's true passion is re-building and preserving the history of vintage low horsepower airplanes. He has a collection of airplanes at Tehachapi Airport in California: 29' Velie Monocoupe, 31' Buhl Pup, 36' J2, 37' Aeronca K, 39' Welch OW5, 2 40' J4As, 41' J-4E, and the Lancair I built and first flew in 2000. He says " I guess when it's in your blood, you're stuck with it!"