"Slot 30" Aircraft To Be Revealed Friday

Organizers of the mass gaggle of DC-3 and C-47 aircraft flying in to Airventure 2010 tell ANN the airborne formation is set at a firm 40, with 12 other aircraft in que standing by for a coveted "slot" should one come available. Other aircraft also attending but not flying in the formation will allow Airventure attendees to be able to see no fewer than 50 total DC-3 and C-47 aircraft on the ground at the same time at Oshkosh.

The gaggle of 40 will assemble during the weekend prior to opening day at Whiteside County airport (KSQI), where the entire gaggle is being welcomed by M&M aviation and the entire Rock River Valley. The public as well as media are welcome to visit this gathering and subsequent launch of all 40 aircraft, as the formation will be built in the skies above this airport heading for Oshkosh. The existing world record formation for the type in formation is currently set at 27, set in 1985. Media inquiries and interest has been strong even in these early months as plans are in progress to capture both the launch, the recovery, and the people of the DC-3.

The United States Air Force has now confirmed that the Altus Air base C-17 demo team "Rat Pack" will be present at Airventure this year in support of the DC-3 / C-47 reunion.  It is now confirmed that this massive heavy airlift aircraft has been authorized to fly the "first ever in 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.

Lastly, negotiations are now complete regarding the aircraft and the pilot to occupy SLOT 30. To date, this slot has been labeled "TOP SECRET" as logistics were sorted through regarding this aircraft, and the respective Captain that will fly this position.

The aircraft now confirmed to fly this slot is one of the most rare aircraft in the world. It is rarely seen in flight, and has never before been seen at Airventure. Information about what aircraft this is and who will be at the controls will be posted on the organizers web site, www.TheLastTime.org not later than 1200 CST March 5, 2010.

HERO FBO's across America are joining in the effort by offering the travelling DC-3's and their crews discounted fuel and food!  See the HERO FBO section of the website if your airport can help.

The public is also invited to tell the world how you know the DC-3 by signing the DIARIES section. More than 100 people have already done so, telling some compelling stories. Here's one such story:

"I flew DC-3s from 1975 to 1980 with Intra Airways based in Jersey UK. Intra operated passenger and freight flights throughout Europe, in fact Intra were the last scheduled passenger operator of the DC-3 within Europe. I flew the fist year as a First Officer and the remainder as Captain.this allowed me to not only fly the worlds greatest aircraft but also fly with some of the greatest characters of UK and European aviation, including "Old Joe" Joe Rechka who escaped from Czechoslovakia in 1939 with a DC-2, the worlds first hi-jacking."

Another person writes: "One DC-3 we operated was G-AKNB CN9043 later to become N59NA. G-AKNB appeared in the movie A Bridge to Far and for a year we flew the aircraft within Europe in camouflage. Shame its not on the list of aircraft, however I'll be there on the 26th July, traveling across from the UK, wife permitting, an event not to be missed and an opportunity for me to meet an old friend again."

FMI: www.TheLastTime.org