The upcoming “31 Hours for Tango 31” will raise funds for the youth aviation club founded by the late Airplane Repo star Kevin Lacey.
Lacey was instrumental in forming Tango 31 Aero Clube, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth aviation organization at Aero Country Airport in McKinney, Texas, that introduces high school students to the aviation industry through hands‑on aircraft restoration, flight training, and technical education — offering participants a pathway toward earning pilot certificates and A&P licenses, and ultimately careers in aviation maintenance, operations, and flight.
Lacey’s unexpected passing in February 2025 created significant financial challenges for Tango 31 Aero Clube. Despite its all‑volunteer staff and continued student participation, the organization urgently needs funding to maintain operations and preserve its role as a critical access point for young people seeking an alternative path to success.
To secure Lacey’s legacy, longtime friends Chris Holder of Concorde Battery Corporation, and Charlie Duffie are undertaking an ambitious fundraising challenge known as “31 Hours for Tango 31.”
Beginning May 1, 2026, Holder and Duffie will attempt a nonstop, 31‑hour Cannonball‑style run from Patty Wagstaff’s Aerobatic School at St. Augustine Airport in Florida to San Diego, California, racing the clock to raise awareness and funds for Tango 31 Aero Clube.
The cross‑country drive will be completed in a Factory Five Daytona powered by a Coyote engine. The team will meet up with the Tango 31 Aero Clube in McKinney, Texas, and race against Tango 31’s aircraft out of the state.
Every dollar raised through “31 Hours for Tango 31” will go directly to the club, according to Holder and Duffie.
To support the effort, you can donate today at Zeffy.com
Meet the Drivers at SUN ’n FUN
If you are at the 2026 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, you can meet Holder and Duffie throughout the week. The duo will appear at the Concorde Battery Corporation Booth B050, signing free posters, meeting fans, and appearing alongside the aerobatic stars of SUN ’n FUN’s air shows. The car will be on display at the grounds of SUN ‘n FUN, including at the exhibits for Goulian Aerosports and the Titan Fuels Titan Aerobatic Team on the Warbird Ramp.
I use a Concord battery in my airplane. The thing is amazing. I’ll never buy another brand after having this one. Kevin Lacey seemed like a cool guy.