2008 proved to be an incredibly productive year for The Walter Mobility Group. We are pleased to be able to share with you a review of 2008 and our plans for 2009.

Early in the 2008, Engineering Systems Specialist Matthew Doyle (bio, contact), created the entire “As Built” HybriCraft™ as digital CAD CAM drawings, and also provided the Design Review Committee with the ability to review, edit, and share drawings.

In Florida, Director Glenn Culver (bio, contact) and in California, R&D Director Fred Kent (bio, contact) drove successful testing and analysis throughout the year on another HybriCraft, providing fruitful data on props and engines.

Matthew Doyle entertained the request from a prospective customer for the Group to produce a mobile, wireless video system to fulfill a need that remains unmet in law enforcement. Matthew performed an in depth assessment and concluded that The Walter Mobility Group is specially qualified to produce a mobile prototype and integrate the required solution suite for this digital remote monitor, accessible from varied information systems. Today, the Group continues work toward the development of a specialized vehicle to fulfill this unique need.

Mid Summer, Executive Vice President Steve Doyle (bio, contact), founded and volunteered to chair an Innovation Committee within The Walter Mobility Group to incubate new ideas and help in the assessment of them. Steve also became a member of the Placerville EAA and joined Fred Kent, who is also an EAA member to speak about The Walter Mobility Group at an EAA event. Steve and Fred received some interest from aerospace experts who wished to become involved in The Walter Mobility Group.

Fred Kent’s work on delivery of the largest composite HybriCraft ever created in-house continued at a fast clip, with the successful creation of in-house fabrication equipment and the end of the year seeing delivery and successful testing of the craft’s brand new engine and props. Throughout the year, Fred Kent and Matthew Doyle held many meetings with various aerospace and industry specialists to unearth the best materials, methods, and expert advice, and applied that knowledge to the selection of the materials and engine for this HybriCraft. We’re delighted with the advances in engineering and design this new HybriCraft represents.

In 2009, the Group looks forward to:

• demonstration flights of our brand new HybriCraft
• ongoing exploration by the Innovation Committee of the market place, technology, and processes
• launch of a brand new Walter Mobility Group website in early 2009 to better illustrate market applications
  
• potential to participate in air and trade shows with our new demonstration vehicle

All of us at The Walter Mobility Group greatly value your support and want to thank all who contributed to our impressive progress this year. We wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2009.

Happy New Year!

The Walter Mobility Group