Flagship Detroit touches ground in Toccoa

One of American Airlines’ original DC-3 aircrafts descended from the sky and taxied the runway at the Toccoa Airport Tuesday morning.

The Flagship Detroit is the oldest DC-3 aircraft still in service.

Built in 1937, the Flagship Detroit has since gone through at least 18 different owners, including a short time as a ward of the U.S. Government, prior to her purchase by the Flagship Detroit Foundation.

Pilot Blake Butler tells WNEG News, shortly after the aircraft had landed, about the aircraft’s rich history.

“This is the oldest, flying, Douglas C-3,” Butler said. “It was delivered to American Airlines on March 2, 1937, just as it looks today. American Airlines named it the Flagship Detroit; they liked to name their aircrafts, in those days, after cities and states. This is the real Flagship Detroit. You’ll see inside is restored with the original 1937 seats. The paint is the same as it was in 1937. It’s a very famous aircraft with lots of history. There are many documented times of Eleanor Roosevelt riding in the airplane during war time. The aircraft was never drafted in the military, it served as an airliner with American Airlines all the way through the war. American Airlines finally retired it in 1947.”

FAA Designated Examiner Bill Mercure, who also serves on the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport Authority, is one of only eight in the nation who is an FAA Designated Examiner for the DC-3 aircraft.

Mercure told WNEG News that the reason for the visit was for one pilot to complete a flight test and become rated in the DC-3.

Throughout the test at the airport, there were many approaches, landings, and go arounds.

According to Mercure, it has been several years since the Flagship Detroit has been at the Toccoa Airport.

Butler added that it has been a privilege to be able to pilot the Flagship Detroit.

“All of the pilots from the foundation feels like it’s an honor to be able to fly this unique piece of history. Our organization exist to promote civil aviation, general aviation and the history of the DC-3,” Butler said.

For more information regarding the Flagship Detroit visit www.flagshipdetorit.org/fsd/history.