David Fulton

David Fulton was born in Evansville Indiana in 1941. He liked taking mechanical things apart at a young age to see how they worked. As a teenager, he and his friends spent many hours working on their cars. When he was 16 he and a friend rebuilt his 51 ford engine. After high school graduation, he entered the US Air Force, working on KC-135 and B52 aircraft. He worked as a Crew Chief and Assistant Crew Chief during his 4 years in the Air Force; completing his service as an Airman First Class. David’s commander wrote him a letter of aircraft experience recommendation so he could take his test for Aircraft Maintenance Technician. David attended Pittsburgh Institute Aeronautics and got his Aircraft Maintenance Technician license. His first job was with United Airlines in San Francisco. Later he moved to Indianapolis where he worked for Lake Central Airlines before getting a job with Trans World Airlines where he spent the next 13 years. During his time at TWA, he was qualified to be a Lead Mechanic and also qualified to taxi aircraft for maintenance and repositioning. I worked one year for Amtrack overhaul facilities as an electrician in Beech Grove, Indiana however, I missed aviation, and in January 1981 I got back in aviation with American Trans Air in Indianapolis. I worked as an Inspector for American Trans Air (ATA) for 27 years until April 2008 when they went out of business. Because of David’s education in aviation, he could work on anything in his house from electrical to mechanical and woodworking. He built a lot of furniture in his house and his kitchen cabinets. As his family grew, he became active in coaching baseball, basketball, and other sports with his 3 sons. In 1978 his oldest son, Michael became interested in racing Soap Box Derby cars. His first race was the qualifier for a trip to the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron Ohio. Michael won the Indianapolis Soap Box Derby race but lost his second race in Akron. In 1980 David’s second son, Christopher won the local and went on to be the first and only person from Indianapolis to win the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship. Chris won in what was called the Junior division at that time. Since 1978 David has volunteered with Indianapolis SBD as Director, Race Day Preparation Director, and put on Clinics and Inspections. He also kept the starting gates and other electrical items in repair. In 1993 David published his first book, “Winning Ingredients for Soap Box Derby Racers.” He wanted to help others get a head start in Derby racing. This book explains what forces the SBD car is subject to during the race and how to minimize these forces to win the race.