There are dozens—probably scores—of volunteers who make AirVenture work, and in the homebuilt world the man who ensures that just about everything happens is Mike Dooley, Homebuilt Convention Management Chairman. It’s an awkward title that represents a tremendous amount of responsibility and work. Many of us know him as head of Homebuilt Headquarters, where we register our airplanes and ourselves. But there is so much more within his “HB” domain.
Dooley is a retired Army colonel whose military career, from 1976 through 2006, included working with—and often leading—transportation, logistical and computer units, as well as the Army’s Peacekeeping Institute, which morphed into the Peacekeeping and Stability Institute under his direction. Thus, he brings lofty credentials to this retirement volunteer gig for the EAA. Initiatives under Mike’s purview include:
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The HB Welcome Wagon, which hauls homebuilt pilots and their passengers around the entire AirVenture grounds, making life much easier for those who fly in. After you arrive on the field in your homebuilt, dial 920-230-7906 and request a pickup and transport around the airport—a great service.
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The HB Hospitality Team (HBH) functions as the catering/food-service division of the homebuilt world. While AirVenture provides sandwiches for the volunteers throughout the show, HBH picks up those sandwiches and then adds a special side dish each day to ensure the HB volunteers are well taken care of. The team also does the lion’s share of work on the “Windup Dinner” (previously called the Early Volunteer Dinner) held before the show to thank volunteers who come in days and even weeks early to set up. HBH also buys and distributes donuts every morning to HB volunteers and, on Wednesday morning, to all homebuilders in the HB Haven. They’re also the folks who provide coffee in front of HB Headquarters, organize food for the Homebuilders Dinner on Thursday evening, run the Homebuilders Store (one of the few volunteer-run stores on the grounds) and work with the HB campground hosts to put on the Wednesday-evening corn roast at the Dick VanGrunsven Pavilion.
The name tag tells much of the story. Mike Dooley, Homebuilt Convention Management Chairman. -
The HB Patrol provides volunteers who walk the show lines during the airshows to protect the planes from spectators who don’t know better—like those who use a wing to change a diaper!
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The HB Fly-By on Tuesday is organized by a small team that identifies 10–12 interesting planes and willing pilots to fly past the AirVenture crowd in an aerial parade. A lot of work goes into coordinating the briefings, paperwork and communication with the Air Boss.
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Homebuilts in Review happens twice a day, Monday through Saturday morning, and falls under the HB community and Dooley’s responsibilities. Another small team lines up speakers for the two daily sessions. Because planes have to be moved into the forum area, this group coordinates with the parking folks during the most active times of the show.
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HB Workshop showcases demonstrations of homebuilding techniques throughout the week.
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HB Hangar displays past AirVenture Grand Champion planes and other interesting homebuilts. The building also hosts homebuilding-related talks twice each day and the Builder Awards ceremony at the end of the week.
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HB Pavilion also falls within Dooley’s realm.
Dooley grew up in the Midwest and fell in love with flying during his first flight at age nine. He delivered newspapers and repaired bikes and lawn mowers to pay for lessons. In college, on an Army scholarship, Mike finally had enough money for instruction. He joined the EAA soon after retiring in 2006. His first AirVenture was in 2007—he was hooked. He bought tools from Cleveland and soon started an RV-8 project. He finished the plane in 2019, completed the test program, and then developed a medical issue that forced him to quit flying, so he sold the airplane.
His many other interests, particularly volunteering, have filled the void. Mike started volunteering at registration in 2010, the year of “Sloshkosh.” He found working the show to be a blast; the flooding that year forced volunteers to find creative solutions to unique problems. He went on to become co-chair of Homebuilt Operations in 2012. The powers that be recognized Mike’s talent and began grooming him to take the lead, which he did several years ago—now caring for all of us homebuilders at the greatest aviation event in the world.
Recognizing Dooley’s immense contributions to the EAA, he was honored last Sunday with the Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by EAA President Jack Pelton.
