After 13 years of restoration work, an engine upgrade, replacement wings, and countless hours of volunteer work, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Houston Wing’s L-17 Navion is back in the air.
On Sept. 8, 2026, pilot Matt Brzostowski took the aircraft up for its first flight following the lengthy restoration, marking a milestone for the unit and the volunteers who worked to bring the aircraft back to flying condition, according to CAF officials.
Brzostowski completed a short initial flight, followed by two one-hour flights to begin breaking in the upgraded engine. After a few minor adjustments, the L-17 is ready to continue its break-in flights, CAF officials noted.
The Navion was donated to the Houston Wing in 2013, and restoration work began soon after under original project manager Ulf Brynjestad, who recently flew west.
One of the team’s biggest challenges came when they discovered that the aircraft’s original wings were corroded beyond repair. Rather than abandon the project, the unit acquired a donor aircraft to provide replacement wings. The team also decided to upgrade the engine and propeller to give the Navion additional horsepower and speed.
Work continued over the years, but by 2020, competing priorities and the loss of several project team members slowed progress. The restoration gained momentum again in 2024, when volunteers addressed fuel system issues, and moved into high gear in early 2025.
Over the past 21 months, volunteers have tackled an extensive list of tasks, including work on the brakes, engine baffling, landing gear, cabin interior, and instrumentation. They also repaired sheet metal on the nose and belly and added ballast to achieve the proper center of gravity.
With the L-17 flying again, the Houston Wing is looking ahead to the next phase of the project. Once the engine break-in flights are complete and additional pilots have been checked out, the aircraft is expected to return to the shop for a new paint scheme.
The Wing plans to finish the Navion in semi-gloss, Korean War-era U.S. Army olive drab, complete with period-appropriate markings. The team hopes to unveil the aircraft’s new appearance and announce its official name in early 2027.
For more information: HoustonWing.org
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