AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 71
" Most people say I don't do anything, " he laughs
when asked what he does. But it's clear that this toy airplane company is more than fun and games. Guillow's
gliders and model aircraft kits are sold around the
world, finding sources for the all-important balsa wood
is increasingly difficult, and the COVID-19 pandemic
has seen a bump in sales that the company wasn't quite
prepared for. Like puzzles, books, and other hobbies,
building model aircraft has become a way to fill in the
hours while quarantined at home.
" Our kits-we call them authentic scale models-
have a couple of hundred parts and might make you
busy for 40 hours or so building one, " said Barker.
" They also fly with rubber band power, which means
you wind up the propeller and throw them. "
Barker is not a pilot, nor is long-time designer Mark
Tennant (although he is a radio-controlled airplane
enthusiast and flies often with friends who are pilots),
but both men have deep appreciation for aviation and
respect for the aviation industry and the history their
models carry. You'll find detailed information on every
model Guillow's makes, as well as attention to details in
the markings and paint. Some of the models look almost
art-like, especially before the tissue wrapping, dope,
and decals are applied. Tennant displays these " naked "
balsa wood structures throughout his design studio, the
fine bones and details of a 1:20 scale 1903 Wright Flyer a
marvelous testimony to the legacy of fine model building Paul Guillow started more than 90 years ago.
The employees are long-term too. Many are in their
70s and 80s. With the pandemic, Barker closed for a
couple months but then offered employees the opportunity to come back if they felt comfortable. Most did.
" I love working with our people; most are long term
and are like family, " he said. Guillow's employs nearly
50 people at peak production times.
" Paul Guillow's dream still lives on in the company
today as we continue to strive to keep young and old
happily building and flying toy and hobby airplane
models. For the past 90 years nearly every American
boy, girl, and young at heart have enjoyed the inexpensive balsa wood gliders of the Paul K. Guillow Company.
Sunny afternoons flying Guillow gliders have created
fond memories and helped imaginations soar, " states
the company website.
AOPA
TOM BARKER
is president of
Paul K. Guillow
Inc. He started
working at the company when he was in high
school. Models without tissue
and dope are displayed around the headquarters building.
guillow.com
EMAIL julie.walker@aopa.org
aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 71
http://www.guillow.com
http://www.aopa.org/pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021
Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 10
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 20
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 22
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 24
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 26
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 28
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 30
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 32
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 34
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 50
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 58
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 81
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 83
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 85
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 86
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 87
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 91
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 92
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 93
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 94
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 95
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 96
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 97
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 98
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 100
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 101
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 102
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 104
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 106
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 107
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 108
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 112
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201103_test
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011demo
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/pilot0308
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com