Congratulations to the 2019/2020/2021 EAA Warbirds of America Inductees

Congratulations to the 2019/2020/2021
EAA Warbirds of America Inductees


(Pictured Left to Right)

2020 Mark Clark – Courtesy Aircraft Sales
2021 Carl Scholl  & Tony Ritzman (not able to attend)– Aero Trader 

2019 Dennis Sanders– Sanders Aircraft Technologies

Thank you for your dedication to Warbirds and paving the way for future generations to come!

EAA’s AirVenture 2022 Is A Wrap!

A special thank you to everyone who stopped by the Courtesy Aircraft display in the Warbird Area. It was great to see old friends and meet new ones. Again, EAA AirVenture broke records. Rare aircraft were the highlight of the show! 

General Aviation ADS-B Rebate Program – Phase 2

As you know January 2020 is fast approaching and that will mean everyone must be equipped with ADS-B Out technology to continue flying in controlled airspace. With that said, I wanted to pass on the below information from FAA regarding the restarting of a rebate program for equipping GA aircraft. Eligible aircraft can receive $500 toward equipping with the necessary technology. Again, please see the below information for more details about the program and as always let me know if you have any questions.

Just wanted to give you a heads up that the FAA announced the restart of the General Aviation ADS-B Rebate Program for the remaining unused rebates from phase 1 of the program. The original rebate program in 2016 – 2017 offered up to 20,000 rebates to eligible general aviation aircraft owners for installing appropriate ADS-B Out avionics. The original program issued 10,208 rebates, therefore the FAA will be re-opening the program to offer the remaining 9,792 rebates to ensure that general aviation aircraft owners have every opportunity to equip and meet the ADS-B Out mandate of January 1, 2020.

Phase 2 of the rebate program will run from October 12, 2018 through October 11, 2019 or until the 9,792 rebates are claimed, whichever comes first. The program will follow the same rules as before, $500 to eligible aircraft owners who have not yet equipped with ADS-B Out. Eligible aircraft for the program are U.S.-registered, fixed-wing, single-engine piston aircraft first registered before January 1, 2016.

As before, there are five steps aircraft owners must follow to meet the mandate and receive the $500 rebate:

1. Purchase the equipment and schedule installation
2. Obtain a Rebate Reservation Code by reserving a position online
3. Install the equipment
4. Conduct the required equipment performance validation and get an Incentive Code
5. Claim the $500 rebate online using the Rebate Reservation Code and Incentive Code

Further information regarding the program will be posted at www.faa.gov/news and https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb/rebate/

Rare and Unique Aircraft Sold!

Courtesy Aircraft Sales recently sold two extremely unique and rare aircraft;  A Ford Tri-motor 4-AT-4 and Fairchild FC-2-W2
Both Aircraft will continue to fly and remain to be a part of our great aviation history. The Fairchild was NASA’s First Airplane and is currently the Only One In the World.  The Ford Tri-Motor is the Oldest Flying Metal Aircraft today and was Flown by Aviation’s Greatest, by Lindberg and Earhart.  The sale of this Tri-Motor marks the Second Sale of a Ford Tri-Motor by Courtesy Aircraft, the first one, N9645. There are only 6 or 7 remaining Tri-Motors in the World.
We were happy to assist both parties in the historic transaction.

20 Under 40 Application

“I have never flown such an amazing airplane!”

Dear American friends,
Some news about N80FS, now registered F-AYSB in France.

She is a lovely bird, I have no words to say how she is amazing….clean, straight, easy, incredible low speed characteristic, fast, powerfull and fore sure so nice.

The French and EU Afficionados are very very happy to see her flying. The French Air Force had been very nice with me, they lend me their airspaces to make the FCF and lend also the Patrouille de France low altitude practice aera to train for my display. End of May I did my first airshow at Orange AFB and I have leaded the French Patrouille de France for two passes just before doing my first solo display…..what an amazing welcome by the French Armée de l’Air for an iconic US AIR FORCE aeroplane. I have flown 4 airshows and I am in love with this beautiful old lady.

I have never flown such an amazing aeroplane, the MK6 seems to be the Pinacle. I try not to fly more than 300 kts during aeros to stay in a small box….which is not easy ! For the first time…I have to train my self to reduce power during a display …just an amazing thoroughbred !

I would need more and more training to make a nice display but I already have very good fun.

One more time thank you very much for all your advises, for your help, maintenance and training.

I wish all of you a very nice and safe airshow season
All the best
Fred Akary from France

2019 EAA AirVenture/ Oshkosh Recap

It was another successful year at Oshkosh! We feel this year’s attendance and overall activity was one of the best!  There were over 400 Warbirds that flew in for the event! A special thank you to all of those who stopped out to the Courtesy Aircraft motorhome- You made our week great! We had 5 of our aircraft available for viewing during the show and met several new prospects ready to keep ’em flying. The “Warbirds 20 Under 40” Award Ceremony was also held on Saturday evening, with 12 of the winners able to attend!  Thank you again and hope to see you again next year!

Touch-and-Go at Oshkosh- 2020

Mark Clark makes a quick touch-and-go at Oshkosh-
“I had to make it 51 years of summer at OSH. Where did everyone go?”

Mark your calendars!

The North American Trainer Association
Formation Training Event Dubuque, IA July 16-19
Castle Formation Clinic Event September 24-27
Click Here to View

The T-34 Association
T-34 Mentor Meetup and Formation Clinic (Cincinnati / Dayton OH area – KMGY) June 13-14
The T-34 Association Member Meeting and Fly-In (Topeka KS – KFOE) July 15-20
Click Here to View Calendar

49th National Stearman Fly-in
September 7nd – 12th – Galesburg, IL
(A new NATA formation clinic will held in conjunction with the fly-in, featuring Stearman, Liaison and T-6’s. Details available soon.)
Click Here to View

TBM Reunion
Moved to Terre Haute, IN July 24-25
Click Here To View

The Commemorative Air Force
Various Open Houses, Airshows and Ride Day Events scheduled throughout the country!
Click Here to View Calendar

Red Star Pilots Association
Basic Formation Training Columbus, IN June 19-21
Social Activities and Flying Terra Haute, IN July 21-25
Click Here to View Calendar

IBDA Platinum Roundup: The Birddog’s 70th Birthday
Tuesday, Sept. 15 thru Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 Gillespie County Airport (T-82) Fredericksburg, Texas
Click Here to View

STIHL National Championship Air Races
Reno, NV September 16-20
Click Here to View

National Warbird Operator Conference (NWOC)
Back for the 26th year! Corpus Christi, TX Feb 25-28, 2021
Click Here to View

*Please check websites frequently in case of any cancellations or date changes.

Heather Penny sponsored by Courtesy Aircraft at the 2017 NWOC

It was a special treat for all of us to hear Heather Penny’s 9/11 story and what she was willing to sacrifice for our great country.  It will be a story that we will never forget.

Heather is also working with the CAF’s RISE ABOVE WASP, a national educational outreach program, inspiring young women by telling the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.   For additional information on this great program, visit: https://riseabovewasp.org/

Working on a newly purchased A-4B Skyhawk to Airworthy Condition

Warbird Heritage Foundation

Working on a newly purchased A-4B Skyhawk to Airworthy Condition

Click here to view the Warbird Heritage Foundation’s thread. They will be sharing progress on this project and welcomes questions or any information to help

The Warbird Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation created for the purpose of acquiring, restoring, displaying, and demonstrating various antique aircraft of historic military significance. The Foundation’s focus is on preserving it’s aircraft in flying condition, demonstrating these aircraft at air shows and other special events, and promoting public interest in historic military aircraft.

Congratulations to Jan van der Flier and his new North American TF P-51 Mustang!

From Courtesy Aircraft’s Hanger to the Netherlands

“Hello Mark, Sorry for my late reaction but I did spend four days in the Mustang. I am very happy she has arrived and we worked hard to assemble her. She is in marvelous condition and built with enormous craftsmanship. We all are impressed about the rebuilding job that has been done. We had to trust you about the aircraft and it was worth it, we only had some internet photo’s to decide the sale. We got a wonderful restored Mustang from you. Thanks Mark.”

-Jan van der Flier, Owner

“Scat VII is now operational. Last Friday I did two test flights. They went very smooth. Saturday I few with Jan for the first time. We went on a 2 hour navigation flight and ferried Scat VII to Antwerp in Belgium. Jan was very impressed by the performance of the Mustang. He is very happy to have flown his new aircraft! Attached are some pictures of the assembly and engine run.”

– Marcel Peerlkamp, pilot

Testimonial from Jens

Mark, Just a brief update. I just flew my 50th hour in the Bearcat last night. The plane is doing well. Attached are some pictures. The plane is an amazing performer and the Mustang folks do not enjoy taking off with me. Give your staff my regards and tell them that she is in good hands and flown 2-3 times per week.

Best regards, Jens

NATA T-28 Formation Clinic

Sponsored by Courtesy Aircraft

Hi Mark, Just a quick note to say “Thank-you” again for your help in sponsoring the NATA T-28 Formation Clinic in Conord, NC. The weather was wonderful, everyone flew a lot and had a great time! Thanks again for your help!

-Anggie Mitchard

Rare B-17 Flying Fortress!

At Courtesy Aircraft’s home airport in Rockford, IL, we had the privilege to have EAA’s “Aluminum Overcast” visit on it’s tour around the United States.

Check out our photos of the Flight in the Fortress! It was a flight to remember!!

Did you know?

– The B-17 dropped more bombs than any other United States aircraft during WWII

– 12,726 B-17 Aircraft were built and only 15 remain airworthy today

– EAA’s “Aluminum Overcast” was purchased in the mid-40s as surplus for only $750!

Click here to view “Aluminum Overcast’s” Tour Schedule and Pricing

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Douglas DC-3

Courtesy Aircraft had the opportunity to participate and several activities celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the DC-3. Our very own N1944H “Spirit of Alaska” flew to Whiteside Airport in Sterling, IL for the gathering of over 32 DC-3s and C-47s. We couldn’t ask for better weather or a greater turn out!

The following day, it was off to AirVenture in Oshkosh! N1944H participated in the formation flight over the airport on opening day!

Then, a DC-3 Party at Basler Turbo Conversions with all participating DC-3 Crews! Food, drinks and their impressive facilities were open for viewing. We all had a great time- Thank you for your hospitality Basler!

On Thursday, our DC-3 was able to participate in the AirVenture Airshow!

Photos by Darcy Kaapke, Mike Carlson and Jim Rezich.

Help bring Embry Riddle to RFD!

The Rockford region has an excellent opportunity to land the world’s leading aerospace and aviation university.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is searching for the site of its third residential campus, and a prime spot at Chicago Rockford International Airport is the perfect place (Courtesy Aircraft Sales Home Airport). A campus would help our regional aerospace industry soar, bringing more jobs, money and people to this area.

Sign the petition at http://www.rocktheair.com/

Family History Honored on Customer’s New Warbird

“If you noticed the names below the forward canopy widow, they are my Uncle, Al Kinder, my Dad’s younger Brother, who flew B-17’s during WWII over Europe after his pilot training was finished and my Dad who was an instructor during the war.

My Dad, eventually went on to fly for Eastern Airlines during the war. Both lived into their 80’s. I felt an emotional obligation to put their names on my aircraft to honor them as aviators and to honor their lives. Both were strong influences on my and my brother’s lives and aviation careers.”

Congratulations Lou! N3753G Looks Great!