June 11, 2018 - No. 046 In This Issue VT MAE holds grand opening in Pensacola Asia's First Large-scale Aircraft Recycling Facility. Hainan Airlines plans to buy aviation assets worth $1.6 bln via share issue Textron Aviation, Wichita Public Schools Form Partnership for Aviation Pathway Program Gulfstream's Support Organization Gets New Name Czech Airlines Technics Announces New Line Maintenance Customers Qualification packs to boost skills in aero sector. The Air Force Has Grounded All Of Its B-1Bs Over A Fault In Their Ejection Seats Clark seen as Asia's next 'aerotropolis' Museum preparing to take historic plane to Normandy in 2019 VT MAE holds grand opening in Pensacola Hundreds of people gathered Friday to cut the ribbon on a new aircraft maintenance facility that will bring approximately 400 jobs to Pensacola. The facility - VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc.'s new Maintenance, Repair Overhaul Hangar at the Pensacola International Airport - was a $46 million project established through a partnership of the city of Pensacola, Escambia County, VT MAE, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Industry Recruitment, Retention and Expansion Fund. Officials said the grand opening was not the finish line, but rather a starting point in Pensacola's journey to become a new hub for the aerospace and aviation industries. Gov. Rick Scott flew into Pensacola for the grand opening, and he said the facility was another big win in the effort to create more quality jobs for Floridians. "There are 400 more families in the city and in Escambia County that are going to be able to live the dream of this country, which starts with being self-sufficient and being able to have a good job," Scott said. Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, who has championed the project, said the facility would be life- changing for not just for VT MAE employees, but for the whole community. "Having 400 people coming here that are going to be working and changing their lives and having a job, it's everything that we work for as citizens and it also helps our tax base," Hayward said. "It helps all the small businesses in Pensacola. As I've always said, whether it's the dentist, the doctor or the car dealer, everybody is going to participate in these folks being in Pensacola, and the return on investment is going to be huge." All told, the city of Pensacola put in about $3.2 million for the project, while Escambia County contributed about $4.8 million, according to county documents. VT MAE contributed about $7.25 million, the Industry Recruitment, Retention and Expansion Fund - a pot of money tied to the BP oil spill settlement - supplied $7 million and the Florida Department of Transportation kicked in nearly $24 million. Per the terms of the project, the city of Pensacola constructed an aircraft hangar complex on nearly 19 acres at the Pensacola International Airport and leased the facilities to VT MAE for a 30-year term. The 173,452-square-foot facility has the ability to accommodate either two Boeing 777's, four Boeing 757's, or six Airbus A-320 sized aircraft. UPS is the hangar's first client, and Ed Walton, UPS director of engineering, said 75 of the company's 757s were slated to have Pensacola's VT MAE facility become their "maintenance home." "We're thrilled to be in Pensacola with all the aviation heritage, with the Naval Air Station here," Walton said. "The work ethic we've gotten out of Mobile (Alabama) has been fantastic, and I think we're going to get the same or better work ethic here in Pensacola." VT MAE has announced plans to hire in a variety of skilled positions such as aircraft inspectors, master airplane technicians, sheet metal mechanics and more. Local economic development agencies, local educational institutions, and VT MAE have worked together to implement training programs to create a sustainable workforce to fill these positions. "We're looking forward to growing here," said Bill Hafner, president of VT MAE. "We want to reach out to the community, we want to reach out to the school system, we want to make kids aware there are opportunities in aviation maintenance for good careers, good incomes and we're gong to do that soon." https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2018/06/08/vt-mae-opens-business-pensacola/684423002/ Back to Top Asia's First Large-scale Aircraft Recycling Facility HONG KONG, June 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CALC (the "Group", SEHK stock code: 01848), a full value-chain aircraft solutions provider for global airlines, is pleased to announce that Asia's first large-scale aircraft recycling facility, China Aircraft Recycling Remanufacturing Base (the "Base"), owned by Aircraft Recycling International Limited ("ARI"), a member company of the Group, has formally commenced operation today. The Base is equipped with modern facilities and devices that utilize advanced technology. These consist of various systems for aircraft maintenance, conversion, dissembling, installation of aircraft parts, as well as aircraft materials management and sales. The Base covers seven areas of business operation, including aircraft purchasing, selling, leasing, dissembling, replacing, conversion and maintenance, providing dynamic aircraft recycling solutions to airlines, MROs, lessors, as well as manufacturers and distributors of aircraft materials. Around 200 people joined the launch ceremony, including municipal and provincial officials from Heilongjiang, together with senior representatives from ARI's shareholders CALC, China Everbright Limited, Friedmann Pacific Asset Management Limited and Sky Cheer International. They were also joined by other leaders from various sectors in the aviation industry. During the event, participants shared their views on the prospects of and development opportunities within the aircraft recycling and remanufacturing industry. Mr. Hao Huilong, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Provincial Committee, said, "Heilongjiang's solid industrial foundation, cutting-edge technology, professional experts, and favorable policies play a significant strategic role in the strategic development of the aircraft recycling industry. The Base's commencement of operations not only capitalizes on the rapid growth of the civil aviation market and the opportunities arising from industrial consolidation, but also promotes international collaborations within the industry. Furthermore, it facilitates the development of a wide range of related sectors, such as new materials, electronics, telecommunications, energy and high-end equipment manufacturing. All in all, it helps create a new pillar for Heilongjiang's industrial development and provide strong support to the traditional heavy industry in Northeastern China." China Aircraft Recycling Remanufacturing Base is located on the south side of China's Harbin Taiping International Airport. It has a gross floor area of 300,000 sqm. With the construction of Phase I completed, the Base has had an effective handling capacity of 20 aircraft per year. It has China'slargest bonded warehouse for aircraft parts. Its hangar can hold three narrow-body aircraft simultaneously or one wide-body aircraft and one narrow-body aircraft together. When an aircraft enters the Base, it is placed under visualized management throughout all procedures, including dissembling, maintenance and recycling, free from hazards. The Base adopts optimized techniques to minimize energy consumption and execute the recycle and reuse of aircraft materials and parts to participate in the green recycling economy with added value. The Base will also improve the development of various industries in China, including aviation materials' recycling and reuse, and aircraft parts maintenance. Mr. LI Yuze, General Manager of China Aircraft Disassembly Centre, said, "Upon commencement of operation, the Base will complete the final link in China's aerospace manufacturing value chain. As there are yet no comprehensive aircraft recycling and remanufacturing systems in China, aging aircraft are usually dissembled and disposed of by companies in Europe and the Americas, involving high costs and long waiting times. More and more civil aircraft in China are set to retire soon, offering extended market opportunities to the emerging aircraft recycling and remanufacturing industry. With our high standards and stringent technology requirements, the Base is set to become China's leading platform of aging aircraft solutions with business presence in Greater China and Asia as a whole. We strive to maximize the value of used aircraft for our clients and set up a new growth pillar for the aviation industry chain." When the Base commences operation, the strategic portfolio of Aircraft Recycling International's (ARI) business will also be further optimized. Its subsidiary in the US, Universal Asset Management Inc. ("UAM"), is a well-established operator with extensive experience in aviation asset management, high-tech aircraft disassembly, commercial aviation aftermarket solutions and extensive customer networks and relationships. The two companies synchronize and complement each other. By integrating the aircraft and engine leasing platform and aviation investment and financing platforms established by ARI, the two companies will work together to build the world's most advanced aging aircraft solution platform. With its comprehensive aging aircraft solutions, ARI will also further improve CALC's aircraft full value-chain. CALC's unique business model offers services covering an aircraft's full life cycle to meet airlines' fleet management requirements, including services for new aircraft, aging aircraft and aircraft coming to the end of their lives. By leveraging the comparative strength of their respective expertise, the synergy between CALC and ARI will optimize aircraft asset allocation effectively, as well as maximize their overall economic benefits. Mr. CHEN Shuang, JP, Chairman of CALC, said, "Aircraft recycling is the natural extension of the aviation value chain. The Base is part of CALC's major initiative to develop into a full value-chain aircraft solutions provider for the global aviation industry. Over the years, CALC has built an efficient capability for aircraft asset management, close partnerships with its aviation partners, and flexible and diversified financing resources. ARI's swift and steady development in aging aircraft value chain will further enhance CALC's diversified asset management capability, maximizing value for our aviation partners." Mr. Mike POON, Chief Executive Officer of ARI, said, "ARI is committed to customizing asset management solutions for aging aircraft. The operation of ARI's aircraft recycling facility is bound to enhance our unique advantages in full-value chain by connecting the local and international aviation industries. Given the surging demand for aging aircraft management in the global aviation market, ARI will efficiently increase the residual value of aging aircraft by providing holistic solutions and completing a full value chain in each stage for aircraft, contributing to the global aviation industry's sustainable development." Currently, ARI's aircraft recycling base has been granted the Maintenance Certificate in compliance with CCAR-145-R3 required by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The Base has been certified by the Civil Aviation Maintenance Association of China as a qualified Civil Aircraft Parts Distributor and obtained the Approval Certificate of Foreign-Funded Enterprises of the People's Republic of Chinaissued by the PRC Ministry of Commerce. http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12416132/asias-first-large-scale-aircraft-recycling-facility Back to Top Hainan Airlines plans to buy aviation assets worth $1.6 bln via share issue HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hainan Airlines (600221.SS) (900945.SS), China's fourth-biggest carrier, plans to acquire aviation assets valued at 10.48 billion yuan ($1.64 billion) in five firms to boost its route network and competitive edge, it said on Friday. The carrier, affiliated with embattled HNA Group, said it would issue shares to up to 10 investors, including Singapore's Temasek Fullerton Alpha Pte Ltd, to raise up to 7 billion yuan to fund aircraft purchases and six other projects, such as engine maintenance and pilot training. Hainan Airlines hopes to upgrade its flight network and develop its aviation expertise with the acquisitions. "With the acquisitions, the airline will be able to expand the routes, strengthen development in aviation maintenance, flight training and other services," the airline said in a filing to the Shanghai stock exchange. Hainan Airlines said the acquisition would result in an ownership change in the company, which is now controlled by a Chinese provincial regulator. Hainan's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) controls the carrier through SASAC's stake in Grand China Air Co Ltd. It said after the transaction, its owner will become Hainan Province Cihang Foundation, which is connected to HNA Group. HNA, the aviation-to-financial services conglomerate, has been selling overseas real estate and some of its biggest financial and strategic investments following a $50 billion acquisition spree over the past two years. In a separate announcement, Hainan Airlines said it would scrap an A-share convertible bond issue announced in May due to changes in capital market conditions. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hainan-airlines-m-a/hainan-airlines-plans-to-buy-aviation- assets-worth-1-6-bln-via-share-issue-idUSKCN1J42DJ Back to Top Textron Aviation, Wichita Public Schools Form Partnership for Aviation Pathway Program Aviation Pathway, an innovative, new high school aviation curriculum proposal, was announced by Wichita Public Schools and WSU Tech at the Textron Aviation Citation Longitude line. If the program is approved, it would be Kansas' first aviation technical education pathway and allow high school students to receive their high school diploma and technical certificate at graduation, creating the potential for immediate employment within the aviation industry. "We applaud the leadership of Wichita Public Schools and WSU Tech along with the interest and support of the Kansas State Department of Education," said Jim Walters, senior vice president of human resources at Textron Aviation. "With educators and business working together, this new program will match industry needs and students with knowledge and career opportunities," he added. "We have been impressed with how responsive and thoughtful Wichita Public Schools and WSU Tech have been. They have accomplished in weeks and months what could require years." The Aviation Pathway program would have two paths - aviation production and aviation maintenance - each featuring sub-sections for students to choose from to allow them to specialize their training. The program comes at a time when there is increasing demand for workers with the skills and training to succeed in aviation. It is expected that thousands of jobs in advanced aviation manufacturing will be available in Kansas during the next five years, especially with increased production as the number of employees eligible to retire continues to increase. The fact that business aviation produces thousands of high-skills, high-paying jobs is central to the No Plane No Gain campaign. There are plans to expand the program to other districts, and full implementation is expected to be complete for the 2019-2020 school year. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12416134/textron-aviation-wichita-public-schools- form-partnership-for-aviation-pathway-program Back to Top Gulfstream's Support Organization Gets New Name Gulfstream is rebranding its Product Support organization to Customer Support, a move that the Savannah, Georgia manufacturer says better emphasizes its focus on the customer. "This shift underscores the tremendous degree to which we prioritize and value our customers," said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Customer Support. "This rebranding puts our focus squarely where it should be." The organization encompasses more than 4,700 people, 30 factory-owned and authorized maintenance facilities worldwide, and a spare parts inventory valued at more than $1.6 billion. Customer support has long been an emphasis at Gulfstream, so much so that the most recent two Gulfstream presidents, currently Mark Burns and before that Larry Flynn, stepped into those roles after leading the formerly named Product Support organization. "The commitment to putting our customers first has been a part of our heritage since the initial Gulfstream I entered service in 1958," Zimmerman said. Gulfstream notes its continual expansion in this arena with new products, pointing to the recently introduced Aircraft Ownership Service maintenance and operations program. This program is tailored to the customer's requirements, and could include support, operations, and maintenance. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-06-08/gulfstreams-support- organization-gets-new-name Back to Top Czech Airlines Technics Announces New Line Maintenance Customers Czech Airlines Technics (CSAT), a daughter company of the Czech Aeroholding Group providing aircraft repair and maintenance services, has won five new line maintenance customers, including American Airlines, Cyprus Airways, Air Cairo and Go2Sky, all of which operate their flights from Václav Havel Airport Prague. CSAT mechanics will also provide line maintenance services for the Russian's Pobeda aircraft servicing the airline's route to Moscow from Airport Karlovy Vary. "I am glad that airlines which decided to offer flights to Prague have chosen Czech Airlines Technics to service their aircraft. It proves that air carriers value the quality and experience of our employees, supported by fast and expert reactions in cases where aircraft defects must be repaired quickly to ensure a speedy return to operations. We have recently expanded our customer portfolio and we also provide on-call line maintenance at Airport Karlovy Vary, located within reasonable travel distance," said Pavel Hales, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Czech Airlines Technics. American Airlines, the largest air carrier in the world, has also decided to start using the services of Czech Airlines Technics. The airline has operated regular scheduled flights from Prague to Philadelphia on a daily basis since 5 May 2018 and CSAT's Line Maintenance consists of checking Boeing 767-300 aircraft. "Prague is an exciting new addition to American's global network," said Oliver Barnes, Senior Manager, Contract Line Maintenance UK, Ireland, Europe & Middle East for American Airlines. "It is essential that we have strong partners such as Czech Airlines Technics in place to ensure American's success in new markets and we look forward to working closely with them going forwards." Other customers with whom Czech Airlines Technics has recently entered into line maintenance agreements are, for example, Cyprus Airways, which launched regular scheduled flights from Prague to Larnaca in Cyprus this June using Airbus A319s, Air Cairo, operating its routes to more destinations in Egypt with Airbus A320 and Go2Sky, which has leased Czech Airlines one of its Boeing 737-400 for the whole summer season. Moreover, the company has recently received two new certificates allowing it to confirm aircraft post- line maintenance operational readiness. The first certificate was awarded to CSAT by the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority regarding Egypt Air aircraft. Until now, permits were always issued only ad hoc. The second certificate was issued by Mongolian authorities for MIAT Mongolian Airlines. CSAT will perform A-checks for its aircraft this summer, i.e. the highest level of line maintenance checks. Line maintenance of aircraft is performed either on a regular basis (e.g. daily or weekly) or ad hoc. It includes a thorough aircraft check, the refilling of all fluids, the completion of minor repairs, the checking of individual aircraft parts and an evaluation of whether or not an aircraft is fully functional and ready for another flight. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12416107/czech-airlines-technics-announces-new-line- maintenance-customers Back to Top Qualification packs to boost skills in aero sector BENGALURU: The Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) on Friday said it has developed qualification packs for 70 jobs across five sub-sectors which could benefit lakhs of people. The AASSC is promoted by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the Society for Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries. "The qualification packs were developed through extensive industry engagement and skill development programmes are being launched across India. One of the biggest is the Aviation Multi- Skill Development Centre in Chandigarh where five batches have passed out. The Centre plans to train around 2,400 persons over the next three years," the council said after a board meeting here. To ensure availability of qualified trainers and assessors, AASSC has run programmes along with the Department for International Development, UK and more schemes are in the pipeline. It may launch skill development programmes through universities and the AICTE and it's working actively with industry, NSDC and the government. The ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship said India will take part in aircraft maintenance in the world skills competition in August 2019 at Kazan, Russia. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/qualification-packs-to-boost-skills-in-aero- sector/articleshow/64514424.cms Back to Top The Air Force Has Grounded All Of Its B-1Bs Over A Fault In Their Ejection Seats The U.S. Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of B-1B Bone bombers due to unspecified concerns about the aircraft's ejection seats and has no fixed timeline for when it will clear the planes to fly again. The decision comes as an investigation continues into an emergency landing involving the type in May 2018 and amid growing concerns about the readiness of the U.S. military aviation communities as a whole. U.S. Air Force General Robin Rand, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees all of the service's combat-coded bombers, ordered the so-called "stand-down" on June 7, 2018. On May 1, 2018, a B-1B bomber assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base made an emergency landing at Midland International Air and Space Port in Midland, Texas after declaring an in-flight emergency. The incident involved a fire in one of the aircraft's engines and resulted in an emergency exit hatch coming off in mid-air. "During the safety investigation process following an emergency landing of a B-1B in Midland, Texas, an issue with ejection seat components was discovered that necessitated the stand-down," Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees all over the service's combat-coded bombers, said in a brief statementon June 8, 2018. "As issues are resolved aircraft will return to flight." As of May 18, the service continued to decline to say whether it had recovered the hatch or if there had been any actual malfunction in one or more of the plane's ejection seats, according to a report from Defense News. The bomber had a standard crew of four on board during the mishap, none of whom suffered any injuries. The swing-wing bomber was not carrying any weapons, the Air Force told the Midland Reporter-Telegram at the time of the accident. Unconfirmed posts on the unofficial Amn/Nco/Snco Facebook Group said that the aircraft's Offensive Weapon Systems officer tried to eject, which caused the hatch to come off, but that their Advanced Concept Ejection Seat (ACES) II ejection seat failed. Additional notes indicated that the decision to make the emergency landing at Midland came after that individual became stuck and it remains unclear if the aircraft's pilot had ordered any of the crew to eject. The United Technologies Corporation (UTC) seat is also found on the Air Force's A-10 Warthog, B-2 Spirit, F-15C/D Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Viper, and F-22 Raptor aircraft. There is no indication yet about whether or not the issue on the B-1s extends to the seats on any of those aircraft. The Air Force itself has been especially tight-lipped about the incident. Before announcing the stand-down, the last official statement had come from Dyess Air Force base on May 21, 2018. That "update" only restated information that service had already released and reiterated that the official investigation was still ongoing. But the grounding could have a significant, immediate impact on U.S. military combat operations and other activities. In April 2018, some of the Air Force's more than 60 B-1Bs touched down at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to take over for B-52 bombers that had been flying missions from that base. From there, the Bones have been supporting operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the continuing campaign against the Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan. The B-52s had themselves taken over for the B-1Bs in 2016 when the Bones returned to the United States to receive the Integrated Battle Station upgrade. This package included updated avionics and data links, as well as a self-diagnostic test system. The Bones also regularly take part in drills and other security cooperation activities around the world, as well, including recently deploying to the United Kingdom to take part in the annual Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise. This event includes air and sea training missions in and around the immensely strategic Baltic Sea. The B-1Bs, as they typically do during this drill, trained to employ air-dropped Mk 62 Quickstrike naval mines, which could be essential in limiting a hostile navy's ability to move freely in the area during a crisis. But the in-flight emergency over Texas and the subsequent grounding has come as the U.S. Air Force, as well as the rest of the services, continue to struggle with a serious spike in aviation mishaps. So far, in 2018 alone, accidents have killed more than two dozen U.S. military aviators. There has been a slew of in-flight emergencies across the Air Force for various different reasons since the incident in Texas, but thankfully without any injuries. Many more never get reported publicly. There has been a surge in crashes, too. On May 23, 2018, a T-38C Talon jet trainer also crashed in Mississippi, but the crew was able to safely eject. This was the first Air Force crash after a WC-130H from the Puerto Rico Air National Guard came down in Georgia on May 2, killing all nine individuals on board. The Air Force says it is taking steps to investigate whether there are systemic problems at play across the service and it completed a service-wide safety review on June 6, 2018. According to Military.com, the Air Force said at least some airmen used anonymous "safety channels" to submit information, which individuals typically do out of fear of retaliation from their superiors. Air Force active-duty units have completed the Operational Safety Review announced in May, while Reserve and Guard units still have until June 25 to complete the review," Erika Yepsen, an Air Force spokesperson, told Military.com. "The feedback will be reviewed across Air Force organizational levels - wings, major commands, as well as Headquarters Air Force." There was no clear indication of what the review had concluded and what recommendations it might have for units across the Air Force. The Pentagon and the individual services have all repeatedly insisted that the surge in mishaps is not a broad crisis and that each individual incident is a unique confluence of factors. However, there is significant evidence to show that the Air Force and other services responded to years of budget cuts and caps by pulling funding from operations and maintenance accounts, which has had a cascading impact on readiness throughout the U.S. military. In addition, the Air Force, in particular, has been experiencing an unprecedented shortage of pilots and maintenance personnel, which can only have exacerbated the issues. "The safety of Airmen is the command's top priority," Air Force Global Strike Command said in its June 8, 2018 statement. "The Air Force takes safety incidents seriously and works diligently to identify and correct potential causes." Hopefully the issues with the B-1Bs ejection seats, and any other problems the investigation into the May 1 mishap turn up, will be easy to fix and those Bone crews can get back flying safely soon. http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20995/the-air-force-has-grounded-all-of-its-b-1bs-over-a- fault-in-their-ejection-seats Back to Top Clark seen as Asia's next 'aerotropolis' CLARK, Pampanga - An official of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) cited the huge potential of Clark as Asia's next aerotropolis as development of the Clark International Airport and New Clark City go into full swing. Joshua Bingcang, BCDA Senior Vice President for Business Development and Operations Group, said during the kickoff of the first Aeromart Summit held in Quest Hotel here, that construction of both the Clark airport and New Clark City are already underway. Aerotropolis is the concept of developing a city with an international airport at its center. Bingcang also said that the New Clark City is being built as a "thriving city" with mixed-use of residential, commercial, and educational institutions, and other information technology developments. DOTr undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Tamayo also cited that the Clark International Airport registered an all-time high of 1.5 million passengers in 2017, making the airport the country's next premier gateway. Meanwhile, Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the Philippines' hosting of this summit launches the country's aerospace industry as "we showcase our readiness and capabilities to absorb the global demands and highlighting the emerging aerospace cluster in Clark." The local industry's capabilities include aerospace manufacturing, aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and aviation training. "Our vision is for the local industry to be a recognized partner in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and aerospace manufacturing in the Asia Pacific Region," Rodolfo said. The three-day Aeromart Summit Clark 2018 gathered hundreds of aerospace and aviation industry authorities, suppliers, sub-contractors, exhibitors with selling capabilities or services in sales, marketing, business development, and technical promotion, as well as buyers, contractors, decision makers seeking commodities or capabilities for the supply chain, procurement, purchasing, engineering, fabrication and research & development. (PNA) https://www.panaynews.net/clark-seen-as-asias-next-aerotropolis/ Back to Top Museum preparing to take historic plane to Normandy in 2019 MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) - It seems preposterous. Take an historic, over-the-hills smokejumper plane that was last airborne in 2001, fix it up to federal standards, and fly it to Europe next year for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Maybe even drop jumpers into France, pulling ripcords of old-fashioned round parachutes and wearing suits their grandfathers used during the Normandy invasion in France on June 6, 1944. And while you're there, hit Germany to take part in the 70th anniversary commemoration of the Berlin Airlift (1948-49). That's the dream of the Museum of Mountain Flying at the Missoula airport, where the historic Johnson Flying Services C-47, known by many as the Mann Gulch plane, sits as the centerpiece. In just a few weeks the dream, bolstered by devotees of old planes, smoke jumping and World War II, among others, has assumed a tangible air of reality. "It's not a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It's not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's a one- time opportunity," said Bryan Douglass, a local pilot and engineer who's heading up logistics for the Miss Montana to Normandy project. D-Day is commemorated every year on the French coast, an annual event that touches all who take part. Because June 6 falls on a Wednesday this year, many of the parades and historic marches, sightseeing tours, military fairs, camp reconstructions, parachute drops and exhibitions are taking place on the weekend. But the 75th anniversary in 2019 promises to be unique. "This will probably be the last major D-Day anniversary where veterans are alive to attend, so it just won't ever happen again," Douglass said. "We've got this remarkable airplane here. It's just got to be there." "There" will first be Duxford Field in England, where Douglas C-47 Skytrains, or Dakotas, from around the world will meet and practice for "Daks Over Normandy." The workhorse transport planes dropped most of the 24,000 Allied troops who landed by parachute or glider in German-held territory in Normandy on those fateful nights and days in 1944. It's been called the boldest and most successful large-scale invasion in military history and resulted, after months of intense fighting, in the liberation of France. The final domino to fall was Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany the following spring. The formal launching of the Miss Montana to Normandy campaign isn't until June 15-16 at the regional Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) fly-in, the largest gathering of aircraft Missoula has ever seen. But already support from around and outside Montana is pouring in. "It's unbelievable," said Eric Komberec, a pilot and trainer of pilots for Neptune Aviation of Missoula, who's the project chairman. "Everybody you talk to and mention it to is on board and very interested in it." In aviation circles, Montana's prize C-47 is referred to as N24320. She's been redubbed "Miss Montana" and will wear that name on her nose to Normandy. "It reflects really the representation of the whole state," Douglass said. "It's the only one in the state, as far as I know of, and it's historic to the state, Mann Gulch and to Johnson Flying Service." Komberec and Douglass head a 10-person committee that includes Missoula businesswoman Kathy Ogren, a longtime aviation enthusiast; Travis Booher, graphic, website and social media designer; Randy Schonemann, director of maintenance; Michael Anderson, marketing and logistics; and Katy Anderson and Crystal Schonemann, fundraising and public outreach. Dick and Barb Komberec are directors of operations. Katy Anderson said a website and Facebook page with the brands "Miss Montana to Normandy" will go up over the weekend. Many others have expressed interest in helping out in what will be a yearlong process to make Miss Montana airworthy. "All these people that we know have said, 'Count me in, I'll move to Missoula to work on the airplane,' " Dick Komberec said. "That's how they feel about it." "With everyone's help and support we will be managing this project with very structured and organized trained professionals with Part 121 airline expertise and safety culture backgrounds," Eric Komberec said. Empire Airlines in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, has agreed to take on the role of aircraft airworthiness and regulatory compliance. Neptune Aviation is lending full support. A number of banks and local businesses are on board or have promised they will be. Come mid-June, after the AOPA fly-in, Miss Montana's propellers will be removed and sent away to be overhauled. An expert in Grangeville, Idaho, will tear into and rebuild what needs to be rebuilt of the engines, one of which has only 30 hours on it. "We're going to do this right," Eric Komberec said. "It's going to be first class. Then we'll be able to fly the airplane for years to come." Still there'll be room for interested volunteers, who can help streamline operations under the watch of seasoned mechanics. The committee is on the lookout for Normandy survivors, several of whom lived in western Montana until passing away in recent years. Dick Komberec said the flight can be a way of honoring the likes of Dennis O'Loughlin, who as a "pathfinder" was among the first to parachute into Normandy and later wrote about his experiences. O'Loughlin died in 2008. Miss Montana came off the assembly line in Long Beach, California, on May 3, 1944, a month before D-Day. A military plane, she wasn't part of the invasion, and the war was over before she could be deployed overseas. "She was commissioned to fight and she didn't have the opportunity to fight, and so we're taking her back to Normandy," said Katy Anderson. "She gets to finish her mission." https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/texas/article/Museum-preparing-to-take-historic-plane-to- 12980571.php Curt Lewis