Aviation lover does it all

Xen Motsinger builds and restores airplanes. Here he explains fabric ironing. See Xen, page 10 For as long as he can remember, Xen Motsinger says he wanted to fly. He doesn't know why — he is not descended from a family of pilots — but he can't remember a time in his life when he wasn't fascinated by airplanes.

Growing up in Taylorsville, N.C., Motsinger recalls making paper airplanes and building model airplanes. When he was in high school, his class planned a fictitious trip, and Motsinger's role was to pilot the "pretend" airplane.

In 1945, near the end of World War II, he decided to make his lifelong dream come true by enlisting in the Army Air Corps and begin training to become a pilot. At that time the war in Europe had ended, and he was told there was no longer a need for pilots. He wasn't allowed to finish flight training.

Motsinger entered college in Maryville, Tennessee in 1948, excited to learn they had an aviation program. He enrolled for his first semester, one in a class of over 300 students, all wanting to train as pilots. Because of the large number, the students were separated into two groups: A- L were to begin flight training and M- Z, ground school. Motsinger signed up for a semester of ground school, knowing that to train as a pilot both ground school and flight school are needed, thinking that M- Z would be in flight school the following term. The aviation program was dropped after the first semester.

Zen Motsinger as a young man Motsinger says he was beginning to think maybe someone was trying to tell him something.

A few years later, working as a hospital administrator in Taylorsville, Motsinger and a buddy were talking about each of their dreams of becoming pilots. A third friend said he knew how to fly and would teach them for free if they would buy a plane.

A J- 3 Cub was located, and the two friends pooled their resources to purchase it for $760. The three young men drove to pick up the plane. A coin toss decided that Motsinger's friend would fly back home with the pilot while Xen drove the truck back. That was just one more delay.

Xen's project 1946 Aeronca Champ Motsinger earned his private pilot's license in North Wilkesboro, N.C., in 1952 and has been flying, as well as building and restoring airplanes, ever since.

In 1957, Motsinger moved to Columbia and he's been here ever since, building and restoring airplanes and flying. And of course, working, serving in the Army Reserves, and raising a family. He has owned and/or operated local airports and has taught many folks to fly.

Motsinger helped found the Palmetto Sport Aviation Association, the local EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 242 in 1965, and has been active in the organization, serving as president in 1966, as well as other offices through the years. The local chapter serves over 200 members today and is a part of 1,100 chapters throughout the U.S. and the world.

Members of Palmetto Sport Aviation Association spend much of their time building and restoring airplanes. Motsinger says he has had up to 11 planes at one time in various stages of restoration. Popular planes for builders include the Vans RV6 and Vans RV6a.

Project in early stages The EAA holds local, regional, and national events called fly- ins. The largest national fly- in is held each year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the last week in July. This past July, over 9,000 planes participated and over 600,000 people were in attendance at the national event.

Motsinger's perfectly restored 1946 Aeronca Champ won awards at the Oshkosh Fly- In.

In 1997, Xen Motsinger was inducted into the S.C. Aviation Hall of Fame for his contribution to aviation. He has received many awards over the years for his accomplishments in aviation including the Oshkosh Lindy Award, Best O- 65 HP Oshkosh HP Sun Fun, Palmetto Sport Aviation Man of the Year Award, and the EAA Red McCord Award. He continues to judge aviation contests and antique air shows.

Motsinger wears a silver ring with the likeness of a pilot's face on it, designed and sculpted several years ago by his dear friend and fellow aviator, sculptor Stavros Chrysostomides, who made only 11 of the rings for his closest friends. One of Chrysostomides' many works includes the shark sculpture in the S.C. State Museum. Chrysostomides passed away in June, 2007.

Plane brought in for repairs after crash Motsinger's friend and partner in the purchase of that first airplane in 1952, passed away a couple of years ago, and the old J- 3 Cub was passed on to a nephew. The nephew is restoring it, and Motsinger says he is looking forward, after 56 years, to enjoy the treat of once again flying the airplane in which he learned.

Ring sculpted by Stavros Chrysostomides