The world’s largest reunion of Douglas DC-3s since World War II, dubbed “The Last Time”, has appointed eight industry experts to assist in the planning for an historic and world record-setting formation flight. Not since D-Day in 1944 and the invasion of France have this many vintage aircraft planned to operate together in flight, organizers say.
Overseeing the flight operation to ensure the highest level of safety are Mike Filucci, Project Lead, Terry Calloway, Jim Goolsby, Dave McGirt, Ken Terry, Sherman Smoot, Pat McGinn, and Jon Goldenbaum. Together, these individuals have logged more than 163,000 hours.
“It is an honor for all of us to have been asked to assist in an event of this magnitude,” said Filucci. “It is of great importance that this historic flight will be conducted as safely as possible and we intend to work to that end.”
Due to the age of these aircraft and the people that they represent, it is likely that this effort truly will be “The Last Time” that it will be possible to observe such a flight of this magnitude, organizers note. The 75th anniversary of the Douglas DC-3 will also be celebrated this summer by the people associated with the legendary DC-3 and C-47.
The mass of vintage aircraft will assemble at the Whiteside County Airport (SQI) in Rock Falls, Ill., July 24-26 and prepare for their departure during the afternoon of July 26 for EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
For more information: TheLastTime.org. Those individuals planning to attend should register at the interactive Virtual Reunion Board
