Paul Workman attaches the instrument panel to a 1936 Aeronca LB in the hangars of Workman's Bedrock Aero. Headquartered at Zanesville's Parr Airport, Bedrock restores vintage aircraft from the wheels up, often from planes that have not flown in years, if not decades.
ZANESVILLE — Paul Workman, owner of Bedrock Aero Ltd. grew up around airplanes.
His childhood home was adjacent to a small country airport. Most of the people he knew either flew or restored older airplanes. His father and his brother owned and operated Zane Auto Top and restored vintage aircraft as a hobby.
Workman joined the family business and ran it after his father retired. In 1996, the business and construction techniques had changed. He decided to switch careers. “I wanted to work my way out of the auto business and started doing aircraft interiors,” he said.
His hobby evolved into a business. Workman specializes in the repair and restoration of antique and classic aircraft, particularly those with wood, steel tube and fabric construction. “It has been a constant evolution,” Workman said.
Now he does everything from cosmetic repairs to stripping the old airplanes down to the last nut and bolt. His company is located next to Parr Airport on Fairview Road.
“Some aircraft fly in and others come in on trucks and trailers,” Workman said. “We generally like it better if they can fly in, but we get what we get.”
The vintage airplanes date from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and it can be difficult to find parts.
“We either have to find parts or fabricate them,” he said. “It depends on the age and make of the aircraft. Some of the common ones we can get off the shelf others we have to put together.”
Some of the airplanes he has restored include Piper Cubs, Aeroncas, Taylorcrafts, Funks and Mooneys. He also restored his company plane, a 1959 Bellanca. Workman began flying when he was 14 and solo flew at 16. He eventually went on to get his private pilot’s license. He has a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic License and an Inspection Authorization License.
“Safety and quality are the two most important parts of our work,” he said. “Everything we do has to be compliant with FAA regulations. But safety and compliance are two different things. As an inspector, it is my job to make sure an aircraft is FAA compliant, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe. I make sure it is both.”
It is not uncommon for one of Workman’s complete restoration and repairs to take one and a half to three years.
“It depends on how busy we get with other smaller jobs,” he said.
Restoring antique airplanes can be a complex and tedious job.
“You really have to have a passion for what you do,” Workman said.
So what does he do for a hobby since his hobby became his work? Workman travels to do volunteer work on B-17 bombers.
“It is the most rewarding and, at the same time challenging, aircraft to repair,” he said. “It is somewhat complex, but it is rewarding because of its history.”
His childhood home was adjacent to a small country airport. Most of the people he knew either flew or restored older airplanes. His father and his brother owned and operated Zane Auto Top and restored vintage aircraft as a hobby.
Workman joined the family business and ran it after his father retired. In 1996, the business and construction techniques had changed. He decided to switch careers. “I wanted to work my way out of the auto business and started doing aircraft interiors,” he said.
His hobby evolved into a business. Workman specializes in the repair and restoration of antique and classic aircraft, particularly those with wood, steel tube and fabric construction. “It has been a constant evolution,” Workman said.
Now he does everything from cosmetic repairs to stripping the old airplanes down to the last nut and bolt. His company is located next to Parr Airport on Fairview Road.
“Some aircraft fly in and others come in on trucks and trailers,” Workman said. “We generally like it better if they can fly in, but we get what we get.”
The vintage airplanes date from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and it can be difficult to find parts.
“We either have to find parts or fabricate them,” he said. “It depends on the age and make of the aircraft. Some of the common ones we can get off the shelf others we have to put together.”
Some of the airplanes he has restored include Piper Cubs, Aeroncas, Taylorcrafts, Funks and Mooneys. He also restored his company plane, a 1959 Bellanca. Workman began flying when he was 14 and solo flew at 16. He eventually went on to get his private pilot’s license. He has a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic License and an Inspection Authorization License.
“Safety and quality are the two most important parts of our work,” he said. “Everything we do has to be compliant with FAA regulations. But safety and compliance are two different things. As an inspector, it is my job to make sure an aircraft is FAA compliant, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe. I make sure it is both.”
It is not uncommon for one of Workman’s complete restoration and repairs to take one and a half to three years.
“It depends on how busy we get with other smaller jobs,” he said.
Restoring antique airplanes can be a complex and tedious job.
“You really have to have a passion for what you do,” Workman said.
So what does he do for a hobby since his hobby became his work? Workman travels to do volunteer work on B-17 bombers.
“It is the most rewarding and, at the same time challenging, aircraft to repair,” he said. “It is somewhat complex, but it is rewarding because of its history.”
