Our Experienced Crew
MARK CLARK – PRESIDENT
Mark at the age of 14, bought a life changing 35 minute ride in a
Mustang- an event that set his life’s ambitions in motion. He earned his
private pilot’s license while still in High School and at the age of 18 he began flying T-6s and managed to sell his first of many warbirds.
Mark has been an aircraft broker for over 45 years and has sold in excess of 2,900 aircraft to date with Courtesy
Aircraft Sales. And today, he has logged over 7,500 hours including more than 1,800 hours in high performance ex-military aircraft. In addition to his flying, he also holds an Airframe and Powerplant Certificate.
Having such a well rounded, as well as in-depth and hands-on knowledge of historic aircraft, it has made Mark Clark the “Go-To” person in this specialized aviation field.
DARCY KAAPKE – DIRECTOR OF AIRCRAFT SALES
Darcy joined Courtesy Aircraft Sales in July 2009 to provide sales, marketing, and customer service support. Her
aircraft sales expertise range from
General Aviation aircraft to Warbirds. In addition to aircraft sales, she is
responsible for aircraft background
research, maintaining photographs, writing and updating specifications on all aircraft Courtesy Aircraft has for sale. She is also responsible for the design of all sales and marketing material, as well as the company’s website and its maintenance. Darcy also coordinates public relations, newsletters, press releases, direct mail campaigns, and company sponsored events.
Darcy was first introduced to historic aircraft by her Grandfather, an accomplished Bristol Beaufighter pilot who served in World War II. He and her uncle, also a professional pilot, have
inspired her to pursue a life long dream in the aviation field. Darcy started working in the aviation industry at the age of 16. The choice further strengthened her love of aviation which led to earning a Private Pilot’s license before graduating high school and a year later, an Instrument Rating. The path continued to Lewis University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Administration. Darcy has numerous years of experience in General Aviation airport operations, including airport line service, ground service, administrative support and customer service.
To-date, she has sold over 120 Civilian and Warbird aircraft with Courtesy
Aircraft Sales. She’s looking forward to teaching her daughter about our great aviation history and how to fly one day!
OUR EXPERIENCED CREW
Courtesy Aircraft, Inc. was founded in 1957, by D.M. Clark, as a new Cessna aircraft dealer, and grew through the 60’s to include Piper and Champion (Citabria) dealerships. In addition, Courtesy Aircraft, Inc. was active in the sales of select used aircraft. It was in the success of the used aircraft market that pointed the way to the firm’s current position as a world leader in quality warbird and civilian aircraft sales. In the early 70’s, due to the knowledge and enthusiasm of the founder’s son, Mark Clark, today an accomplished pilot and A&P mechanic, Courtesy Aircraft, Inc. found itself heavily involved in sales of a new market – Warbirds.
This market consisted primarily of World War II and Korean era ex-military trainers, fighters, and bombers such as the T-6/SNJ Texans, P-51 Mustangs, and B-25 Mitchells.
In the early 80’s, Mark purchased the company from his father and relocated to a 13,000 square foot facility conveniently located at the Greater Rockford Airport in Rockford, Illinois. The business continued to prosper and another new market began to emerge.
In 2009, Darcy Kaapke joined the company as Marketing Director and is now the Director of Aircraft Sales.
