William Vergonet submitted this photo and note: “My wife and I work for Fullard Flight at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) in Georgia and, as I love to say, ‘together we keep humans safe while they pretend to be birds.’ We installed this IO-550 with a scimitar propeller together. This photo just screams power to me.”
A famed Mustang takes to the air again
The P-51C “Thunderbird,” one of the most recognizable Mustangs from the post-war era, recently had its first flight after its restoration. Warren Pietsch, a founding board member of the Dakota Territory Air Museum and a famed warbird pilot, hired AirCorps Aviation to complete the restoration of his P-51C. Pilot Bernie Vasquez returned the 1949 Bendix race winner to the air in early June 2023.
Georgia high school team wins Aviation Design Challenge
“GAMA continues to be inspired by the effort and creativity we see put forth by all the teams competing in the Aviation Design Challenge,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “We congratulate McIntosh High School and Gonzaga College High School for the insightful work they put into the challenge, especially as both teams were first time entrants.”
New owner for Finnoff Aviation Products
The private equity firm that also owns Blackhawk Aerospace and AVEX Aviation is the Broomfield, Colorado-based company’s new owner.
Picture of the Day: Pitts Special
Joe Fernandez submitted this photo and note: “Andrea McGilvray and her Pitts Special at South Texas Regional Airport (KHDO) in Hondo, Texas.”
First flight for Diamond’s aerobatic trainer
The maiden flight lasted 30 minutes and covered all basic maneuvers, including performance and handling checks.
Grant funds upgrades at 95IL
According to Recreational Aviation Foundation Illinois Ambassador David Warner, volunteers are using the funds from the grant to install a new windsock, a RAF fire ring, apply lime, and roll the runway to improve the surface of the 2,410-foot runway at the private airfield.
Work begins on new Signature FBO at KHSV
At Huntsville International Airport in Alabama.
Picture of the Day: Evening colors
Clint Gosch submitted this photo and note: “Taxiing out for a beautiful evening flight in my plans-built Zenith CH750 STOL. The plane was plans built over seven years in my basement workshop. It’s been taking me on many flying adventures since completion in 2018.”