It's hard to be around Willard Custer for more than a few minutes before beginning to believe with him in his concept. He is so evidently sincere, so deeply convinced and so determined to win through that he converts even the most ardent skeptics--at least temporarily. He's an exhausting man to interview, for he flies around his small but neat shop/laboratory, grabbing an air hose to "fly" a screwdriver around to prove a point, picking up a 40 year old model, shoving a jet engine test rig out of the way, all the time telling you of the fundamental simplicity of his own science--"aerophysics"--and never tiring of the main topic of conversation, his patented channel wing.

In some respects these engaging characteristics may work against him in today's cold business climate. Times have changed, and aviation is more sophisticated, more finance oriented, and its engineering requirements are vastly more extensive. It may be that the very qualities which have sustained him in his battle against convention are not the ones which persuade a modern businessman to put up the necessary financing.

No matter; he has succeeded in his own mind, and the minds of many qualified engineers. More important, there are current indications that his concepts may yet be recognized.

The Custer saga began during a near-hurricane. A young Willard R. Custer was taking shelter in a barn, when suddenly the roof sailed off. Instead of being frightened, Custer wondered where the power to lift the roof came from. He'd been fascinated with aircraft for a long time, and knew that they had to accelerate down a runway to generate enough lift to take-off, while the barn roof, a poor airfoil, had lifted off "just sitting there". continue...