Innovator
As one of his major achievements, Dr. Windecker developed the Windecker Eagle – the first FAA certified (1969) all-composite airplane.
A pilot, dentist and pioneer in aircraft construction, Leo “Doc” Windecker took note of the high cost of airplanes as well as the limitations on design and safety innovations imposed by the materials then being used in aircraft construction. He began building sample aircraft wings from Styrofoam and fiberglass and proved that composites could be stronger than conventional materials. Leaving dentistry, Windecker devoted himself full time to the improvement of composite materials and established a research center in Midland, Texas. He later developed the Windecker Eagle, the first FAA-certified all-composite airplane that would influence not only the development of lighter, stronger materials for constructing aircraft but also stealth technology.