Story and photos by Scott Jankowski
AirVenture 2025 also featured several unique and special livery commercial airliners which could be found around the grounds, with the larger aircraft parked on Boeing Plaza. The aircraft featured this year including aircraft used by major commercial airlines, used as flying test beds, used on humanitarian missions, freighters and give rides. There are few air shows that have such a varied mix of aircraft on display as AirVenture.
Welcome visitor and making its airshow debut in the United States was C-GTFF, a 1981 manufactured Boeing 747SP (Special Performance) operated by Pratt & Whitney of Canada. Boeing only manufactured 45 of the 747SP, this particular airframe, serial number 22484 was initially delivered to Korean Airlines in 1981, they would operate the aircraft until 1998. Pratt & Whitney would take possession of the aircraft in 2007; they modified the aircraft to become a flying test bed for their engines. This 747SP is powered by 4 of their JT9D-7 turbofan engines that generate up to 50,000#’s of thrust each, giving the aircraft a top speed of 624 miles per hour and a maximum range of 7,650 miles. The 747SP is a modified version of the Boeing 747 which is 47 feet shorter than the 747 and was designed for long range travel, it is also the highest-flying subsonic passenger airliner with a service ceiling of 45,100 feet. This flying test bed features a 5th engine mount on the right side of the fuselage to allow engine testing in real life weather conditions. Look for a feature article to come on this special aircraft.
Making a return and final appearance this year is the world’s last flying passenger carrying DC8 in the world, N782SP, a Douglas DC8-72 operated by Boone North Carolina based Samaritan’s Purse. This DC8 manufactured in 1969 as serial number 46013 was originally delivered to Finnair as a DC8-62. Finnair would pass this aircraft along to the French Air Force, who converted it to a DC8-72 with the more fuel efficient and quieter CFM56-2 engines. Air Transport International (ATI) would acquire the aircraft in 2005 and operated it as a “combi” version carrying 32 passengers and 10 pallet positions of cargo with a payload of 74,000#’s. In 2015 Samaritan’s Purse would take ownership of the aircraft after ATI retired it to the desert. They operate it around the world performing humanitarian missions spreading the love of Jesus and providing aid to people in physical need. This aircraft has been to locations all around the world and within the United States performing this mission. The DC8-72 was to spend the entire week at AirVenture but departed early as they were called on a real-world mission and departed on Thursday. The plan is to operate the aircraft to the end of 2025 when it will be replaced by the Boeing 767-300. Look for a feature article to come on this special aircraft.
Delta Airlines is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, in honor of that occasion they brought N589DT, a 2025 Airbus 321-271NX, wearing a special 100 years color scheme. This Airbus was manufactured in Hamburg Germany as MSN12417 and arrived and departed to their Atlanta hub/headquarters on 7/22. Delta’s A321neo’s are powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PW11336A-JM engines giving the 194 passenger 321neo a cruising speed of 525 miles per hours and a range of 3,370 miles. Delta currently flies 76 of this model of Airbus 321. Delta uses this type of aircraft on routes like New York JFK to Seattle, Los Angeles California to Orlando Florida and Salt Lake City Utah to Las Vegas Neveda.
American Airlines once again provided the aircraft for the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington D.C. The Yellow Ribbon honor flight flew 100 Vietnam War Veterans to tour their memorials and monuments. When they returned from their day, they were greeted with a Hero’s welcome at Boeing Plaza. American Airlines originally had planned to use Airbus 321-231 N167AN, which wears the Flagship Valor livery however this aircraft was unavailable due to maintenance issues, they subbed Airbus 321-231 N162AA instead. This A321, MSN 6621 which was manufactured in 2016 is configured to carry 190 passengers and is powered by a pair of IAE V233A5 engines which give the aircraft a top speed of 544 miles per hour and a range of 4,026 miles. This A321 is painted in a special livery titled Stand Up To Cancer, it features the names of customers and employees loved ones that have been affected by cancer. American Airlines currently flies 302 of the Airbus 321’s.
**Please note that these are file images, these are not from AirVenture. **
Alaska Airlines flew Boeing 737-8MAX, N806AK, in from Seattle Washington and had the aircraft displayed on Boeing Plaza. This 737 was delivered in 2024 as MSN 67806 and wears the Honoring Those Who Serve livery, this is the 4th aircraft in the Alaska Airlines fleet to wear these colors. This special livery is dedicated to the brave service members of the U.S. Military and their families. The design includes a red stripe and blue fuselage to incorporate elements of the American Flag, symbolic crests representing Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program and an Alaska Airlines salutes medallion with 6 stars (6 strips on the engine cowlings) representing the 6 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The aircraft also wears the following quote “To those in uniform serving today and those who have served in the past, we honor you today and every day.” Alaska’s 737-8MAX’s seat 159 passengers and are powered by a pair of highly fuel-efficient CFM International Leap-1B engines giving the aircraft a cruising speed of 521 miles per hour and a range of 4,082 miles. Alaska operates 8 of these aircraft currently and has another 15 on order.
On of the more interesting and mysterious visitors was N950J, an all-white Boeing 767-3P6ER operated by Jetran LLC. This Boeing 767-300 was manufactured in 1993 as MSN 27254 and is powered by a pair of Rolls Royce AE3007C turbofan engines. This VIP 767 arrived and departed from Austin Texas.
FedEx had a pair of Cessna products on display this year including N718FX, a 1995 manufactured Cessna 208B Super Cargomaster. This Caravan, MSN 208B0448 is operated by Baron Aviation Services and is based out of the FedEx Hub in Memphis Tennessee. The Super Cargomaster has a maximum payload of 3,675#’s and is powered by a single Pratt&Whitney PT6A-114A engine giving the aircraft a top speed of 186 miles per hour and a range of 1,230 miles. These Caravan’s provide service to smaller cities in the FedEx network and operate routes such as Milwaukee Wisconsin to Iron Mountain Michigan, Memphis Tennessee to Evansville Indiana and Phoenix Arizona to Yuma Arizona. FedEx currently flies 231 Caravan’s, making them the largest operator of the type.
The other Cessna product on display was N780FX, a newly manufactured Cessna 408 Sky Courier. This aircraft, MSN 408-0044 is operated by Mountain Air Cargo and is powered by a pair of Pratt&Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines giving the 408 a top speed of 240 miles per hour and a maximum range of 1,036 miles. Unlike the smaller 208 which carries bulk loaded cargo, the 408 is designed to carry 3 LD-3 containers with a 6,000# payload. FedEx currently has 28 of the 408’s in service with another 50 on order, they are the launch customer for the type. Mountain Air Cargo uses the 408 on routes from Memphis Tennessee to Dothan Alabama and Orlando Florida to Tallahassee Florida.
Tecnam of Italy had T7-YDW on display which a newly manufactured P2012 Traveller wearing One Guyana titles and is owned by BK Aviation INC. This 9 passenger P2012 C/N 081 is powered by a pair of Lycoming TEO540C1A engines giving the aircraft a top speed of 260 miles an hour and a range of 1,600 miles. The aircraft is operated by Jags Aviation which is a subsidiary of the BK Companies and operates 2 of this aircraft type.
Harbor Air of Canada had C-FIFQ on display, a 1955 manufactured De Havilland of Canada DHC-2 Mk.1 Beaver. This DHC-2 C/N 825 has been operated by the Richmond British Columbia based airline since 2013 and was converted to electric power in 2019. Harbor Air partnered with magniX to swap the original Pratt&Whitney Wasp Junior engine with a Magni 500 engine with swappable batteries allowing 30-minute flights plus 30 minutes of reserve power. Harbor Air flies 14 of the 6 seat DHC-2’s and plans to convert all to electric power.
Classic airliners can always be found at AirVenture, this included the always popular NC8407, a 1929 manufactured Ford 4-AT-E Trimotor owned and operated by the E.A.A. This Trimotor was initially operated by Pitcairn Airways, later renamed as Eastern Air Transport, it operated up and down the East Coast and eventually to Cuba. E.A.A. acquired the aircraft in 1973 and would spend the next 13 years restoring the 8-passenger aircraft to its original configuration. They use the aircraft to offer rides during AirVenture and also sends the aircraft out on tour every year.
A pair of Douglas DC-3’s wearing either wearing a commercial airline livery or manufacturer livery were on hand. These included N728G manufactured as a C-47-DL for the United States Army Air Corps as serial number 41-7860. This C-47 would be transferred to Braniff Airways in 1942, and would pass through several different operators before Troy Alabama based KW Plastics would acquire the aircraft in 1986 and would repaint it in Douglas DC-3 hours colors.
The other DC-3 was NC33644, originally delivered to United Airlines in 1941 as a DC-3-197E, C/N 04123 was manufactured at the Douglas factory in Santa Monica California. This DC-3 would be purchased in 1942 by Western Air Express and operated as a freighter on behalf of the U.S. Military during World War II. It would be fitted with a passenger interior and would be operated by Western for the next 16 years. It would pass through several different owners afterwards before an ex-Western Airlines pilot would acquire the aircraft and restore it to its 1940’s Western livery, famed Warbird Owner Tim Savage would purchase the aircraft in 2023.
AirVenture always attracts some of the most interesting and unique commercial airliners to be seen. It is always a treat to see what shows up announced and unannounced, weather it is a one-of-a-kind aircraft or a vibrant special color scheme, AirVenture does not disappoint. Look for additional AirVenture coverage to come. Until then, “Blue Skies To All!”
