Abe is a pilot recreationally and a mechanical engineer professionally. He is originally from North Carolina, where his passion for aviation started at a young age after visiting the Wright Brothers' monument and museum at the NC Outer Banks and flew over the family farm on an EAA Young Eagles flight as a child.
After obtaining his pilot's license shortly after college, it was the pursuit of aviation-related jobs that ultimately brought him and his wife Katie to Alaska, where he has worked previously as Lead Engineer and Head of Manufacturing Operations for Airframes Alaska and Alaskan Bushwheels. It was through working on those projects related to and flying in Piper Super Cubs that his interest specifically in STOL and backcountry aircraft design developed.
Currently, he is the co-owner of Helio Alaska, Inc. based at Birchwood Airport in Chugiak. Helio Alaska is the holder of the Type Certificate to the Helio Courier aircraft and they are working to return it to production. The Courier, like the Super Cub, is uniquely suited to the demands of backcountry and off-field flying in Alaska and other wild places, making it an ideal candidate for manufacturing in Alaska. Many of the original production run of Helio Couriers that are still airworthy are already living out their lives in Alaska and Northern Canada due to their short field performance and rugged utility.
Abe is also an officer of the High School to Flight School nonprofit scholarship program for Anchorage and Mat-Su area high school students. The HSFS program is funded through private donations and strives to engage and support local young people wanting to become involved in aviation in Alaska by removing most of the increasing financial burden associated with obtaining a PPL for selected students who demonstrate exceptional work ethic and involvement in their community.
