DAMF Flight Training Program - Photos & Comments

It was 78 years since my father’s last flight in a B-25J in WWII, and now my first flight in “Panchito” a TB-25N in Georgetown, DE. I knew my dad flew combat in the B-25; but as a pilot myself, how could I hope to understand that part of his life? I had to try, and that’s why I enrolled in the SIC training at the Delaware Aviation Museum.

The course is two days with day one allotted for aircraft systems. Sabrina Kipp is the Chief Instructor, and she, along with Paul Nuwer and Syd Jones, completed the instructional team. Their presentations were clear, concise, and interesting. On two occasions in the day, time is spent in the hangar to get hands-on with Panchito. The bonus is that lunch is provided on both days. 

Day two finishes out with a 3 hour flight, allocating 1.5 hours per student. After a thorough briefing from your assigned instructor, then it’s time to go flying. I could write a book about our 3 hour flight, but it is something you’ll just have to experience for yourself. I can promise you, it will be one of the most exciting and memorable flight experiences of your life.

Enjoy the flight!

Paul Sanchez

FedEx Pilot

08-12-2022

I was thoroughly impressed with the entire operation or the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation when I first arrived. The program is so very well organized and all questions were answered in detail. The people and training environment is one of the best I’ve seen in my aviation career and would highly recommend it.
 
Fredric Jeanes 
American Airlines 
B777 Captain

12/14/2021

I want to thank the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation, its instructors, Syd, Paul, Sabrina, and Calvin, ground crew, and benefactor, Larry Kelley, for providing us an opportunity to experience the living history of flying the B-25 Panchito and earning a SIC Type Rating. The ground classes provided a thorough understanding of the history, systems, flight characteristics, and idiosyncrasies of the B-25, and the flight experience as the culminating event was truly sublime. I came away with a greater, more thorough understanding of the engineering design and operation of our World War II aircraft, and a greater appreciation for experiences of the Airmen that crewed them. It was a true "once-in-a-lifetime" experience that will never be forgotten. Thank you to everyone.

Ron Torgeson
11/15/2020

This past weekend, I had the extreme pleasure of obtaining my SIC Type Rating in the B-25 at the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation. It was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my long career (both military and airline) in aviation.

Panchito is a beautiful and remarkable aircraft, having been restored and maintained by its owner, Larry Kelley, and the Foundation. The instructors are all world class... rest assured that you will be trained to airline standards when you train with these folks. The training environment is very professional yet still relaxed and friendly.

This is a truly outstanding experience which I highly recommend for any proficient multi-engine pilot.

Ricardo "Rick" Joseph, MD
787 FO
American Airlines
10/21/2019

My two days at the Delaware Aviation Museum flying Panchito will go down as one of the highlights of my over 41 year flying career. The training was professional, challenging and most importantly fun. Top notch instruction, a one of a kind aircraft and that family atmosphere that we so often miss in aviation. The experience goes way beyond a bucket list checkoff. It is a chance to fly an aircraft that changed the direction of US history.

Fredrick (Rick) P. Johnson
ATP AMEL Commercial ASEL ASES Glider, Gold Seal CFIIMEIG, SIC DC 3, Citation, B-25 AGI IGI 14,000+ hours