Harlan Durham
Aviation Mechanic
Federal Aviation Inspector
Chief of Maintenance Delaware State University Airway Science Program
Harlan Durham was born in Dover. As a young boy he was attracted to mechanical things, assembling model cars and proudly displaying them. When he was 10, his father flew an airplane off the back lawn which was to eventually become the home of Diamond Aviation and Delaware Air Park. At age 14, Harlan purchased a 1938 Chevy, and continued to expand his mechanical skills by completely overhauling it. He still drives it.
After three semesters studying mechanical engineering at the University of Delaware and 4 years in the Air Force, he returned to his father's airport and aviation facility, where he soon obtained his certification as a full-fledged aviation mechanic, followed by his certification in 1978 as a Federal Aviation Inspector. He soon joined the United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) unit at Dover Air Force Base, servicing the C-5 aircraft for the next 18 years.
After his retirement from the USAFR as a Senior Master Sergeant, he became Chief of Maintenance at the Delaware State University's Airway Science Program that turns out fully trained pilots. He recently retired from that program but still works part-time to help solve special maintenance problems and to deal with back logs. He still continues his love of his first car which is incorporated into his Email address---"D1938 [email protected].
In addition to these activities, Harlan has served on the Board of the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base. He holds a commercial pilot's certificate for both single and multiengine aircraft. He is a past governor and keyman for the Wilmington Hangar of Quiet Birdmen, a national association for outstanding pilots. When not busy with these activities, he has made similar contributions in the Hot Rod Automobile Community of Delaware.
Harlan follows in the footsteps of his father, who was inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000, the first class inducted into the Hall of Fame.
