Third Mi-2 Gets Airworthiness

Returning to flying status after quite a few years on the ground, the Cold War Air Museum's third Mil Mi-2 "Hoplite" aircraft, bord 212, received it's airworthiness certificate today.

Directors Pete Coz and Jon Boede hold the latest FAA Airworthiness Certificate in front of the newest fully restored aircraft at the Museum.

Having multiple Mi-2s and pilots to fly them, allows the museum to respond to more requests for aircraft at airshows and events throughout the year.

Congratulations to all our volunteers and associates for their efforts in making this project another success at the Cold War Air Museum.

Cold War Air Museum Mi-24D "Hind" gets U.S. Airworthiness Certificate

The second Mi-24D associated with the Cold War Air Museum received its U.S. Airworthiness Certificate today!

Licensed in the Experimental Exhibition category, bord 120, will soon join her sister ship, bord 118, flying to airshows and events.

Museum President, Bruce Stringfellow smiles as he shows off this all important part of our flying machine. Standing beside him is Museum Director Jon Boede and two smiling officials from the F.A.A.

This project truly was a team effort and we want to thank everyone who contributed their time, talent and labor. We also want to thank the F.A.A. for their help and guidance with the project. Look for more blog posts about the story of bord 120 soon.

Congratulations All!

Mi-24D Hind at the Cold War Air Museum now Certified for Flight

The Cold War Air Museum Mil Mi-24D Hind helicopter, Bord 118 received it's airworthiness certificate today and is now a flying aircraft!

As the final step in a six year process, the museum was visited by FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors from the Fort Worth MIDO (Manufacturing Inspection District Office) who reviewed Bord 118's paperwork and did a final inspection of the aircraft before issuing an Experimental Exhibition Special Airworthiness Certificate.

Noting some discrepancies in the pre-printed Airworthiness Certificate that they had brought with them, the inspectors required a manual typewriter to be located so that the certificate could be filled out. Amazingly, we were not only able to find one on the airport, but one with a fresh ribbon!

Here Bruce is seen proudly accepting the airworthiness certificate for the aircraft.

After a five hour "Phase 1" test flight period, accomplished over the next week or so, Bord 118 will be ready for the 2010 airshow season! A print from Aviation Graphics (shown below), depicts 118 as originally painted and equipped.

Airworthiness Certificate Issued

Fantastic news! Two and a half years of hard work has finally paid off!

The FAA visited the museum today, gave Mi-2 bord 211 a thorough inspection (especially paperwork!) and issued an Experimental Exhibition airworthiness certificate.

This makes 211 one of the few flying Mi-2s in the United States and the only one on permanent public display in the western hemisphere.