About Ultralight Airplane Workshop

Leon S. Searl

Chief Engineer

Software and Electronics Experience - Although trained as an electrical engineer with a Bachelors and Master of Electrical Engineering degrees from the University of Kansas (1987), Leon spent the bulk of his career writing software for communications simulations, mini-supercomputers, satellite testsets, computer networking, communications research, RFID and electric vehicles. Leon has also designed electronics hardware for digital radios, pyro firing systems, power supplies, RFID and other systems.

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Aviation Experience - Leon had planned to become an Aeronautical Engineer as a freshman at the University of Kansas but switched to Electrical Engineering because aerospace companies where having mass layoffs in the summer of 1981 when it was time to make the decision for college course work. Leon never lost a passion for aviation that was instilled in him from an early age while flying with his family in their Piper TriPacer 4 place plane flown off a grass stip (a cow field). While working for an aerospace company in the Los Angeles area in the early 1990's Leon took lessons for a private pilot's license. In the mid 1990's Leon started an ultralight company, restoring a Weedhopper and flying a Quicksilver MX while designing a new ultralight. He had to return to writing software for an electronic design automation company when finances grew tight and he married his wonderful wife. Leon is very happy to get back into aviation with the Ultralight Airplane Workshop.