An Amazing Restoration Is The Dream Of A Lifetime

One of the prettiest sights to be had at the 2009 AAA/APM Fly-In and Convention was a stunning Waco UEC brought back to life by its owner, pilot, and caretaker, John Swander. This rare cabin WACO is one of the oldest of it's type and calls DeSoto, KS, home. John has been rebuilding antique airplanes since 1979 and the his 1932 Waco UEC Cabin Biplane came together after a decade long rebuild, taking to the skies, once again, in 1999 and winning Grand Champion kudos at Oshkosh 2000.

And it was but one of the MANY amazing sights at AAA 2009. Founded in August of 1953 by Robert L. Taylor, the Antique Aircraft Association is the world’s oldest organization specifically devoted to antique and classic aircraft. Committed to “keep the antiques flying,” the AAA has dedicated its fifty-six years to the preservation of this “Golden Age of Aviation.”

AAA members have access to the organization’s vast historical library, as well as its large assortment of spare engine and aircraft parts available to assist in restoration projects. With twenty active chapters across the U.S., the AAA works closely with many type clubs including the Interstate, Culver, Corben, Fairchild, Great Lakes, Pietenpol, Rearwin, Parakeet, Hatz, and Travel Air clubs. The organization’s headquarters, located near Blakesburg, Iowa, at Antique Field, serves as a site for numerous type club fly-ins throughout the season.

Antique Field is also the home to the Airpower Museum, Incorporated (APM). Featuring a large collection of aircraft, the facility has over 20,000 square feet of display and storage space. Every year over Labor Day Weekend, the Antique Aircraft Association holds its annual AAA/APM Fly-In and Convention.

This year, the event celebrated the early days of corporate aviation, themed as “Corporate Wings.” In all, over 360 aircraft, including an impressive turnout of Howard aircraft, visited Antique Field during the fly-in.

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