Mr. Douglas Flies Again

Photo above: Mr. Douglas takes off from the Tullahoma Regional Airport.

On November 13, the legendary jump plane Mr. Douglas took to the skies for the first time in over two decades, returning home to DeLand Municipal Airport in Florida, home of Skydive DeLand. The DC-3 had been grounded at Tullahoma Regional Airport—home of Skydive Tennessee—for the past 23 years, but for the last five years has undergone an extensive community-driven restoration process led by Cliff Alfinche, Mark Borghorst, Tom Hayes, Dick Higley, Joe Nepute, Gary Parham, Eddie Phillips, Clayton Rees, John Rostoks and Mike Rouse. Borghorst flew Mr. Douglas to DeLand alongside co-pilot Dan Gryder and Hayes, who served as flight mechanic.

The Mr. Douglas Society Inc., the non-profit organization that owns the plane today, says the plan for the DC-3 is “to become a flying, living museum for America’s future aviators and parachuting enthusiasts,” and will continue outfitting the plane with modern avionics and controls in DeLand. The hope continues to be for Mr. Douglas to travel to special boogies and events to operate as a jump plane in a limited capacity. More information can be found at mrdouglas.org.