Submitted by WBL (02/2006); Written by KMM (07/2006), Reformatted by JS (10/2009)
Career
- Flew his first model airplane at age eight, a Stinson Comet stick model
- At age 12, designed his first plane, a 72” towline glider
- Graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education
- Graduated from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay with a Master of Science in Environmental Science
- Joined his first modeling club, The River Valley Flyers of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, in 1979
- In the mid 1980’s, entered his first competition, winning second place in the Pattern Contest novice division
- Assistant Manager of Northern Aces Air Show Team
- Advisory Committee member, managing the AMA show team program
William B. Lund
On his first attempt at modeling, eight-year-old William Lund was so eager to fly that he could hardly wait for the wood cement to dry. His enthusiasm for model aviation did not dim over the years. From that point on, he was hooked, going on to specialize in Radio Control models, show team exhibitions and crafting well over 200 model airplanes.
With the help of modeler and family friend Al Brooks, William did end up finishing that first model, a $.29 Comet stick kit. The part he enjoyed most was “actually building something that could fly.” By age 12, William designed and built his own airplane, a 72” tow line glider that worked a little too well, disappearing up into the sky.
William attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, finishing with a chemistry major, a general science minor, and a Bachelor in Science in education. Later he would find ways to incorporate all of these disciplines into his modeling career. He moved on to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he earned a Masters degree in environmental science and policy. Along the way, he studied the presence of toxic elements in the air, designing and constructing model aircraft capable of testing the atmosphere for hazardous materials. His research was published and recognized at an international consortium.
In 1979, William embraced a connection with more traditional model airplanes that continued throughout his adult life. He joined a flying club, the River Valley Flyers, based out of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and entered his first competition in the mid 1980s. Flying a SIG King Cobra and competing in the novice division, William finished second in the Pattern Contest.
William was caught up in the world of Radio Control and fell in love with show team performances. He became assistant manager of the Northern Aces Air Show Team, and served on the advisory committee that manages the AMA show team program. He also became involved in educational aviation, conducting numerous workshops regarding model aviation through the Iola Scandinavia (Wisconsin) High School Enrichment Program and reaching out to educate other high schools in the area about model aeronautics.
William spread his knowledge of model aviation through his writings in “Showgram” the AMA Show Team newsletter, and for Cessna Owners and Piper Owners Society magazines, as their event coordinator for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Oshkosh (Wisconsin). Since 1979, he completed nearly 200 RC aircraft, including over 100 kits, over 40 models built from scratch, 45 Almost Ready to Fly and Almost Ready to Cover models and one full scale airplane, an ultra light Fisher FP 101. He continues to be active as a model show team pilot and is honored to be able to work alongside his modeling peers.
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