ALABAMA AVIATION HALL OF FAME
GEORGE F. EPPS
George F. Epps was born in Athens, Georgia and spent most of his adult life in and around Huntsville, Alabama.To say that he grew up in an aviation oriented family would be a gross understatement. The father, Mr. Ben Epps, Sr. had a very early interest in flying. He designed, built, and successfully flew his first airplane in 1907 at the age of 19.
This early endeavor was followed by at least eight (8) more successful designs. Mr. Ben Epps,Sr. Was killed in a plane crash In 1937, leaving an extraordinary legacy for his ten (10) children. Despite the tragic loss of her husband Mrs. Epps never faltered and Continued to encourage her children to pursue the signals of the "Aviation Genes".
The Athens, Georgia Airport was named “Epps Airport" in honor of this remarkable man. The legacy of Mother and Father Epps did not end with their children. In 1944 George Epps joined the United States Navy V-5 program with the intention of becoming a naval aviator. The A-bomb curtailed all flight training so George did not get to achieve his goal of military aviation as did all five(5) of his brothers. Meanwhile, the children, and, later, the grandchildren and great grandchildren continued a dedication to aviation and the preservation of the Epps legacy.
George Epps was also busily engaged in developing a legacy of his own. In 1947 George earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering At Duke University; in 1948 he was awarded his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology
This early endeavor was followed by at least eight (8) more successful designs. Mr. Ben Epps,Sr. Was killed in a plane crash In 1937, leaving an extraordinary legacy for his ten (10) children. Despite the tragic loss of her husband Mrs. Epps never faltered and Continued to encourage her children to pursue the signals of the "Aviation Genes".
The Athens, Georgia Airport was named “Epps Airport" in honor of this remarkable man. The legacy of Mother and Father Epps did not end with their children. In 1944 George Epps joined the United States Navy V-5 program with the intention of becoming a naval aviator. The A-bomb curtailed all flight training so George did not get to achieve his goal of military aviation as did all five(5) of his brothers. Meanwhile, the children, and, later, the grandchildren and great grandchildren continued a dedication to aviation and the preservation of the Epps legacy.
George Epps was also busily engaged in developing a legacy of his own. In 1947 George earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering At Duke University; in 1948 he was awarded his Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Following his college days George embarked on a professional careerin the aerospace industry. For several years he was employed as a Design Engineer with Douglas Aircraft Corporation in El Segundo,Calif. He was assigned to the aircraft equipment group and involved in the design layout of the crew compartment systems. Projects involved in his activites included the F-4D, AD-5 and the D-558 Supersonic Research Aircraft. After a few years at Douglas it was time for George to take his aerospace engineering expertise back east. In 1951 George accepted a position with Lockheed Aircraft in Marietta, Georgia. Here he was again involved in the design and layout of aircraft equipment, cockpit and crew compartment systems. Primary work included the B-47 and the C-130 aircraft. But a lifetime career as an aerospace design engineer was not to be. In 1953 George was Chief Engineer and later Senior Vice President and director of Brown Engineering company which was engaged in technical support of the Army Missile Command and the Marshall Space Flight Center at Huntsville. George’s departure from the aircraft manufacturing industry did not end his active participation in aviation activities. In 1960 George acquired a 200 acre farm near Huntsv1lle on which to live and establish a 2600 foot runway. This airstrip is appropriately called “Epps Air Park". This Harvest, Alabama, layout includes a colonial home and several hangars. The airstrip is especially active. Each year on the third and Fourth of July, on the third, George is surrounded by 80-100 family members for a traditional reunion followed on the fourth by 350-500 guests.
During this period of his career George managed to devoteconsiderable time to developing his flying skills. He is an instrument rated pilot with more than 10,060 hours in a variety of aircraft
one particularly notable flight involved piloting a 1927 Alexander Eaglerock with its 75 year old water-cooled OX-5 engine from Rapid City, South Dakota to Harvest, Alabama. that flight was an
epic adventure. George's personal hangar of aircraft includes a C-3 Aeronca, a Piper Cub,
a Starlet and a Beechcraft A-36.His Alexander Eaglerock and a 1911 Curtis Pusher are now on
permanent display in the Southern Museum of Flight.
In 1961 he organized and developed the engineering department for Spaco,inc. - a company which was involved in various phases of research, development and fabrication with critical engineering Activities related to missile development including the Apollo Moon program. In 1965 he, with brothers Charles and Pat, developed a General Aviation full service, fixed base in Atlanta at Peachtree-Dekalb- Airport. The company is now fully owned and operated by Pat Epps. In 1967 George developed technical Micronics,Inc. This Huntsville Based company is engaged in technical support of the Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Army Missile Command. In 1969 George developed a full service fixed-base operation at Dannelly field in Montgomery, Ala. A division of that company Provided contract fuel services for the U.S. Army training school at Ft. Rucker. There seems to be a never ending list of activities to add to the Epps aviation legacy.
During this period of his career George managed to devoteconsiderable time to developing his flying skills. He is an instrument rated pilot with more than 10,060 hours in a variety of aircraft
one particularly notable flight involved piloting a 1927 Alexander Eaglerock with its 75 year old water-cooled OX-5 engine from Rapid City, South Dakota to Harvest, Alabama. that flight was an
epic adventure. George's personal hangar of aircraft includes a C-3 Aeronca, a Piper Cub,
a Starlet and a Beechcraft A-36.His Alexander Eaglerock and a 1911 Curtis Pusher are now on
permanent display in the Southern Museum of Flight.
In 1961 he organized and developed the engineering department for Spaco,inc. - a company which was involved in various phases of research, development and fabrication with critical engineering Activities related to missile development including the Apollo Moon program. In 1965 he, with brothers Charles and Pat, developed a General Aviation full service, fixed base in Atlanta at Peachtree-Dekalb- Airport. The company is now fully owned and operated by Pat Epps. In 1967 George developed technical Micronics,Inc. This Huntsville Based company is engaged in technical support of the Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Army Missile Command. In 1969 George developed a full service fixed-base operation at Dannelly field in Montgomery, Ala. A division of that company Provided contract fuel services for the U.S. Army training school at Ft. Rucker. There seems to be a never ending list of activities to add to the Epps aviation legacy.
The impact of the Epps family name on aviation cannot be disputed. Beginning with the father, Mr. Ben Epps,Sr. the descendants represent at least 16 pilots. Ben Epps,Sr. and Ben Epps,Jr. are both enshrined in the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.