Main Site : Our Project : Project Managers and Faculty Advisors : Mr. Wayne C. Larsen

Wayne C. Larsen
Test Pilot for the USU Wright Flyer

Wayne was raised in Tremonton, Utah. He took flying lessons from his Dad at the Tremonton Airport where Wayne Sr. was airport manager and FBO (Fixed Base Operation) owner. Wayne attended Utah State University in the early 1970’s obtaining his airframe and power plant licenses in 1972 and graduating from the College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Technology in April 1974. He went into partnership with his Dad, C. Wayne Larsen, in late 1972. Wayne bought the family business, Airmotive Service, on January 1, 1978 when it was based in Tremonton, Utah. He moved the business to the Brigham City Airport in November of 1999 because of the closure of the Tremonton Airport on January 1, 2000.

Airmotive Service is an FBO where Wayne is involved with aerial application (spraying and seeding), aerial photography, flight instruction, aircraft rental and aircraft maintenance. His mechanic license includes an IA (Inspection Authorization). Pilot Certification is for ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) airplane multi-engine land, Commercial privileges airplane single engine land and Experimental/Limited Aircraft: T-33. Flight instructor privileges are for Airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. He has over 15,000 flying hours with at least half of those hours spent in tail wheel airplanes and includes flight time in single and multi engine turbine and multi engine turboprop aircraft. Wayne has been a pilot for 30 years and has owned his own business for 25 years. He has spent a lot of his time flying 3 feet above the ground at 100+ mph.

Wayne is married to Kara Johnston. They are the parents of five children, one daughter and four sons. Wayne’s hobbies include winter sports, golf, pool, racquetball and shooting sports. He flies nearly every working day, 6 days a week. He loves to fly and has had the opportunity to fly many different airplanes over the years. He also loves to teach other people to fly and discover the wonder of flight. The opportunity Wayne has to fly the USU Wright Flyer has given him a great appreciation for all that the Wright Brothers learned and accomplished.