Airway Pioneers Forum

Vintage Aircraft Pilot to Share Adventures at Flight Path

From: Jim Holtsclaw #2738
Date: 13 Apr 2009
Time: 07:29:14 -0400
Remote Name: 66.251.207.152

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The former pilot of a vintage DC-3 now on display at Los Angeles International Airport will share memories of flying the classic aircraft during a special program at the airport’s Flight Path Learning Center and Museum. Bob Beechler, who flew the twin-engine, propeller-powered aircraft as a corporate pilot for Union Oil Co., will present "The DC-3 from the Pilot’s Seat" on Thursday, April 23, at 10 a.m. at Flight Path in the LAX Imperial Terminal, 6661 W. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles. The program is open to the public. Admission and parking are free. Beechler began his flying career in 1959 after training under the GI Bill, according to Rowena Ake, Flight Path president. He logged a total of 15,500 hours in the air, including flying for oil companies in the Sahara Desert followed by more than 27 years with Union Oil. In addition to flying corporate executives and other VIPs on the DC-3, Beechler has piloted C-47 transports and Gulfstream and Lockheed Jetstar business aircraft. He retired in January 1994. "Our Flight Path visitors have seen the DC-3 on the tarmac next to our museum," said Ake. "Captain Beechler will bring this aircraft back to life for us, sharing his memories and adventures as its pilot." The DC-3 was manufactured in 1941 at the Douglas Aircraft Co. plant in Santa Monica. It carried TWA passengers prior to its purchase by Union Oil. It later was acquired by the California Science Center and is on extended loan to Flight Path. The museum is operated by Flight Path in cooperation with Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency which operates LAX. For more information call (310) 215-5291 or visit the Flight Path website at http://www.flightpath.us/