May 2010 covers_Covers.qxd - World Airnews

AIRVENTURE DAKOTA UPDATE
DC-2 WILL LEAD ‘THE LAST FLIGHT...”
ANNIVERSARY FORMATION OF
DC-3/C-47S TO OSHKOPSH
Henry M. Holden reports
This aircraft, reported to be the last airworthy Douglas DC-2 in existence, will lead the
formation of at least 40 DC-3/C-47 Dakotas on the historic 75th anniversary flight to the
EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh at the end of July. The DC-2 was the predecessor to the DC-3.
THEY ARE coming from all over the
United States – some 40 Dakota
aircraft have signed up to take part
in “The Last Time...” 75th anniversary
celebration of the aircraft type at EAA
AirVenture, Oshkosh 2010 (see World
Airnews, April 2010).
Another 12 aircraft are in the queue
waiting for a coveted “slot” should one
come available. Fewer than 100 of the aircraft
remain airworthy in the United
States, meaning that perhaps more than
half of the current fleet will be present at
AirVenture 2010 at Oshkosh at the end of
July.
The other Dakota aircraft attending but
not flying in the formation will allow Air-
Venture attendees to be able to see no
fewer than 50 DC-3/Dakota/C-47 aircraft
on the ground at the same time at
Oshkosh
The 40 Dakotas will stage during the
weekend prior to opening day at Whiteside
County Airport, Illinois (KSQI). The
public, as well as media, are welcome to
visit KSQI to watch the launch of all 40 aircraft,
as the formation will be built in the
skies above this airport before heading for
Oshkosh.
The existing civilian world record formation
flight for the type is currently 27, set
in 1985 in South Africa. This event will represent
the largest gathering of airworthy
Dakotas since World War II.
One of only two Douglas DC-2s, the
predecessor to the DC-3, will join the July
26 mass arrival at EAA AirVenture.
The only airworthy DC-2 is owned by
the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.
It will head the group flight of DC-3s
just before the opening day air show to
usher in the week-long celebration.
Aviation luminary, Clay Lacy, who was a
driving force behind the aircraft‘s restoration,
will pilot the DC-2 from its current
home at Van Nuys Airport, California, to
KSQI, and then on to Oshkosh.
The United States Air Force has
confirmed that the Altus Air base C-17
demo team “Rat Pack” will be present at
Air-Venture this year in support of the DC-
3 / C-47 reunion. This massive heavy airlift
aircraft has been authorised to fly the
“firstin the history of aviation” C-17
heritage flight with three other C-47s in
formation at the same time.
This flight will only occur once, and will
take place at AirVenture pending EAA approval
and sequencing which is expected
shortly.
The week-long festivities at AirVenture
will also include historical and technical
forums/presentations, movies in which
Dakotas played a major role such as the
1953 John Wayne classic, “Island in the Sky,”
fly-bys and a special evening DC-3
programme at the Theatre in the Woods
venue at Wittman Field. Q
AptracAviation
Fixed-wing &
Helicopter Training
PPL, CPL and ATP
Night, Instrument and
Instructor Ratings
Game/Sling Ratings
Type Ratings
Full Groundschool
On-site Simulator
CRM courses
Residential campus
Based at Port Elizabeth
International Airport
South Africa
Tel +27 41 581 0327
Enquiries: info@aptrac.com
www.aptrac.com
ww www.aptrac.co
ww. w om
APTRAC Aviation incorporates
Helicopter Pilot Training Centre,
Airline Pilot training Centre,
& Escape Airtours, Charters & Transfers
Flyer And Aviation cc 2009/04
WORLD AIRNEWS, MAY 2010. 59