During WWII, Gene enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet and graduated as a full fledged P-47 Fighter Pilot.  After the war, he taught flight instruction in southern Michigan. In 1951, he graduated from the Aeronautical University with a degree in aeronautical engineering.  He went on to have an exemplary aviation career in both government and private sectors, as well as owning and operating his own aircraft company, Turner Aircraft, Inc.

In 1962, Gene won 2nd place with his original design T-40 aircraft, N115ET, in the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) design competition for a folding wing airplane. (See EAA's Sport Aviation Magazine, July 1965 for details.)  He further developed this design into the ever popular 2 seat T-40A series and this design has enjoyed much popularity over the years.  Gene's original T-40 which he named Ophelia Bumps, is now retired and on display at the Saxon Aerospace Museum in Boron, California where Gene is active as a Docent. 

In 1982, Turner Aircraft, Inc. ventured into the ultralight aircraft arena with the Model T-100 aircraft Gene called Mariah.   Gene saw the need for a light weight airplane designed to meet the needs of pilots who wanted to fly, but did not have an FAA flight physical or who could not afford to fly certificated airplanes. With this criteria defined, the idea for Mariah was developed and implemented in the T-100 series of ultralight aircraft.

Visit Gene's web site by clicking on the T-40 airplane picture below to see what he is working on now. Also, we highly recommend buying a copy of his book "Fabulous Affairs With Aircraft and Federal Aviation Airheads".  Click on the book icon below to go directly to the information page.

Source: Personal conversations and e-mail with Gene, his web site, and his book.