Airport, located in Ione, California. The crew at Sanders Aeronautics prepared ten of
their aircraft for a once in a lifetime event, challenging Dennis to fly all ten of their
airplanes in a single day, to commemorate his 60th Birthday. The event was named
the Dr. Pepper Challenge, as Dennis prefers it to Pepsi as his soda of choice.
As I arrived at the shop, long before daylight, Ben Marsh had coffee waiting as we
talked about what the day had in store. In the quiet of the morning, I hear hangar
doors opening, tow bars being attached to the tug, with the Sanders'
fleet being assembled and positioned outside the main hangar. Before first
light, the lineup was in place with 10 meticulously restored and prepped warbirds
and classic aircraft patiently waiting. This crew of volunteers and employees really
pulled out all the stops, topping off the tanks with over 600 gallons of aviation fuel,
and all other essential fluids, washing and waxing each airplane from nose to tail.
talked about what the day had in store. In the quiet of the morning, I hear hangar
doors opening, tow bars being attached to the tug, with the Sanders'
fleet being assembled and positioned outside the main hangar. Before first
light, the lineup was in place with 10 meticulously restored and prepped warbirds
and classic aircraft patiently waiting. This crew of volunteers and employees really
pulled out all the stops, topping off the tanks with over 600 gallons of aviation fuel,
and all other essential fluids, washing and waxing each airplane from nose to tail.
Unaware of the Dr. Pepper Challenge, Dennis drove down the gravel path from his
home, he and Mark Watt got out of the truck and came into the shop, like any other
Saturday. "What's goin' on around here"? Dennis asked, "You'll have to ask Joel (Swager)", I replied with a grin, and with a chuckle, he continued to the shop.
At 60 years of age, Dennis has solidified himself as one of the premier aircraft
restorers in aviation. Having started in the business nearly 50 years ago, he has
restored over 40 aircraft to flying condition, most of them warbirds. In 1984,
Dennis competed in his first air race at Reno, flying his dads Hawker Sea Fury
N924G. He is the highest time active Unlimited warbird pilot, competing in 36 air
races to date, eclipsed only by Lloyd Hamilton with 38 races in total. Most recently,
Dennis has been nominated for consideration to be inducted into the Warbirds of
America Hall of Fame.
restorers in aviation. Having started in the business nearly 50 years ago, he has
restored over 40 aircraft to flying condition, most of them warbirds. In 1984,
Dennis competed in his first air race at Reno, flying his dads Hawker Sea Fury
N924G. He is the highest time active Unlimited warbird pilot, competing in 36 air
races to date, eclipsed only by Lloyd Hamilton with 38 races in total. Most recently,
Dennis has been nominated for consideration to be inducted into the Warbirds of
America Hall of Fame.
At 08:00, Dennis accepted the challenge and began by taking up his Aeronca Champ
N2583E, with Stephen Koewler in the rear seat, during the early windless morning conditions. The Champ was purchased for Sandy Sanders to have an airplane to fly. It is also a regular flyer for some of the volunteers who give their free time on the airport and in the shop, and has inspired some to consider a future in aviation. Once the Champ was parked and chocked, Dennis and Stephen hopped in the Sport Class Air Racer Swearingen SX-300 for a couple orbits around the field to complete flight number two for the day. Dennis' daughter and son in law, Shannon and Joel Swager's Cessna 310 would be number three to take flight, also with Koewler as co-pilot.
N2583E, with Stephen Koewler in the rear seat, during the early windless morning conditions. The Champ was purchased for Sandy Sanders to have an airplane to fly. It is also a regular flyer for some of the volunteers who give their free time on the airport and in the shop, and has inspired some to consider a future in aviation. Once the Champ was parked and chocked, Dennis and Stephen hopped in the Sport Class Air Racer Swearingen SX-300 for a couple orbits around the field to complete flight number two for the day. Dennis' daughter and son in law, Shannon and Joel Swager's Cessna 310 would be number three to take flight, also with Koewler as co-pilot.
.Crewman Stephen Koewler operated as air boss on the field, with his
remote two-way radio, directing visitors and their airplanes to their parking slots
around the complex. One of the first to arrive was Ken Dwelle in the family's Hawker
Sea Fury TMk.20, N85SF, recently restored by Sanders' shop, fitted with a Wright R-
3350, giving us a nice fast pass down the runway before landing. This Sea fury was formerly known as Critical Mass, a highly modified purpose built Unlimited air racer. Ken's father Tom Dwelle arrived soon after in their T-6 Texan N97AW Tinker Toy, also dusting off the
field with a couple passes.
remote two-way radio, directing visitors and their airplanes to their parking slots
around the complex. One of the first to arrive was Ken Dwelle in the family's Hawker
Sea Fury TMk.20, N85SF, recently restored by Sanders' shop, fitted with a Wright R-
3350, giving us a nice fast pass down the runway before landing. This Sea fury was formerly known as Critical Mass, a highly modified purpose built Unlimited air racer. Ken's father Tom Dwelle arrived soon after in their T-6 Texan N97AW Tinker Toy, also dusting off the
field with a couple passes.
The fourth flight would be in the family's Beechcraft Super H-18 Tri-Gear N372PS,
which has served as a family/crew transport for the past 20 years. With Kenny
Price Jr. in the right seat, Dennis taxied out and held short of the runway while Clay
Lacy's Bombardier Learjet 35 touched down. Catching a ride with Clay
was long time Air Classics photojournalist Michael O'Leary to document the
occasion. Still holding at idle in the Twin Beech, Sherman Smoot also arrived in his
T-28 Trojan N967IN, which taxied and parked next to the other visitors. With the
runway and airspace cleared, Dennis launched and flew around the patch.
Price Jr. in the right seat, Dennis taxied out and held short of the runway while Clay
Lacy's Bombardier Learjet 35 touched down. Catching a ride with Clay
was long time Air Classics photojournalist Michael O'Leary to document the
occasion. Still holding at idle in the Twin Beech, Sherman Smoot also arrived in his
T-28 Trojan N967IN, which taxied and parked next to the other visitors. With the
runway and airspace cleared, Dennis launched and flew around the patch.
As Dennis prepared for his next hop, four more visitors entered the airspace and
lined up for landing. Jimmy Rollinson
Bowe in his 1940 Waco SRE NC20967, Ron Pizer and his Piper Cub NC8839,
and Jim Rollinson with an Aeronca C-3 Flying Bathtub NC16549, all touching down
Naval Aviation Factory N3N-3 N45131 was the next flight, with Ken Dwelle in the
front seat, Dennis in back, this beautiful airplane took flight and then
made a return to base.
and Jim Rollinson with an Aeronca C-3 Flying Bathtub NC16549, all touching down
Naval Aviation Factory N3N-3 N45131 was the next flight, with Ken Dwelle in the
front seat, Dennis in back, this beautiful airplane took flight and then
made a return to base.
Dan Vance was the next visitor to arrive in his P-51D Mustang Speedball Alice and
gave some impressive low passes in both directions over the field. As Dan taxied in
to park his machine, Dennis called "clear prop" in his AT-6G Texan
N7689C with Emmie Smith in the backseat and continued out to the runway for another flight.
to park his machine, Dennis called "clear prop" in his AT-6G Texan
N7689C with Emmie Smith in the backseat and continued out to the runway for another flight.
It's now noon and time for lunch. With half of the airplanes for the challenge being
checked off the list, we made our way to the showcase hangar, which had been
emptied of all the airplanes to make room for tables and chairs. Catered Taco's were
on the menu and we sat down among a sizable group of guests. Dennis kept busy
meeting with friends and family, he was the man of the hour. Outside the hangar,
Mike Brown's newly acquired P-51D Mustang NX551MB Goldfinger was parked for
everyone to get a close look at while enjoying their meal. No sooner did we get a few
bites of our lunch, Joel jumped in the crew van, scooped up Dennis and a few
crewmen and headed back to the lineup to continue on with part two of the
challenge.
emptied of all the airplanes to make room for tables and chairs. Catered Taco's were
on the menu and we sat down among a sizable group of guests. Dennis kept busy
meeting with friends and family, he was the man of the hour. Outside the hangar,
Mike Brown's newly acquired P-51D Mustang NX551MB Goldfinger was parked for
everyone to get a close look at while enjoying their meal. No sooner did we get a few
bites of our lunch, Joel jumped in the crew van, scooped up Dennis and a few
crewmen and headed back to the lineup to continue on with part two of the
challenge.
It was time for some of the big iron. With O'Leary in the backseat, Dennis
gave Dreadnought a few turns of the propeller and with a huge belch of
smoke, the flagship of Sanders Aeronautics was blowing a cloud of white smoke through
the grove of oak trees that surround the property. The 30-minute flight, high above
Eagle's Nest was unique to me, not often do we see Dreadnought going through a
series of loops and rolls. The sound of the Pratt and Whitney R-4360 being put
through its paces was very impressive. To finish off the flight, Dennis gave us a
couple high speed low passes over the runway.
smoke, the flagship of Sanders Aeronautics was blowing a cloud of white smoke through
the grove of oak trees that surround the property. The 30-minute flight, high above
Eagle's Nest was unique to me, not often do we see Dreadnought going through a
series of loops and rolls. The sound of the Pratt and Whitney R-4360 being put
through its paces was very impressive. To finish off the flight, Dennis gave us a
couple high speed low passes over the runway.
Hawker Sea Fury T Mk.20 N924G was third to last on the list and Dennis took off to
begin the signature tribute to Frank Sanders' Smoke Demonstration. The crackle of
the Bristol Centaurus is unique to all other radial engines, especially at idle. Standing
just off the edge of the runway for this routine, aerobatics at close range are
incredible, a series of vertical rolls and loops showed the power of the airplane and
the smoke system highlighting the prop and wingtip vortices with swirling smoke
ribbons as they wrapped drifted around us at ground level. Finishing off the display
with the low slow pass, Dennis set 924 down on the main landing gear and taxied
back and shut it down.
the Bristol Centaurus is unique to all other radial engines, especially at idle. Standing
just off the edge of the runway for this routine, aerobatics at close range are
incredible, a series of vertical rolls and loops showed the power of the airplane and
the smoke system highlighting the prop and wingtip vortices with swirling smoke
ribbons as they wrapped drifted around us at ground level. Finishing off the display
with the low slow pass, Dennis set 924 down on the main landing gear and taxied
back and shut it down.
Grumman TBM-3U Avenger N73642 is the latest aircraft that has been added to the
Sanders fleet. Painted to match “Utility” military service photos that were found by
Joel. Dennis wanted an airplane that might be undervalued with the likelihood of
appreciation, as an investment that would also be a fun flyer. He performed a series
of five or six low passes around the airport; a couple of which thrilled the guests
sitting outside the showcase hangar.
Joel. Dennis wanted an airplane that might be undervalued with the likelihood of
appreciation, as an investment that would also be a fun flyer. He performed a series
of five or six low passes around the airport; a couple of which thrilled the guests
sitting outside the showcase hangar.
Finally, it was Argonaut's turn. Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 N19SF is Dennis' favorite
airplane. Built up from several spare Sea Furies that Frank had acquired over the
years, this was the result of hundreds of hours of labor, the majority of the work
completed by Dennis after putting in his eight hours on the clock at Sanders' facility at Chino Airport in the 1990's. The Pratt and Whitney R-2800 CB3 conversion has proved to be as powerful a performer as the previous Wright R-3350, with much more reliability. It was
obvious Dennis was having big fun beating up the sky high above the airport.
With ten flights done, the challenge was complete. Dennis was ready for a cold beverage and called it a good day. Thanks to the dedicated crew, all of his airplanes performed without a squawk. Joel, Stephen, and Jim Rollinson all took turns flying the Aeronca
years, this was the result of hundreds of hours of labor, the majority of the work
completed by Dennis after putting in his eight hours on the clock at Sanders' facility at Chino Airport in the 1990's. The Pratt and Whitney R-2800 CB3 conversion has proved to be as powerful a performer as the previous Wright R-3350, with much more reliability. It was
obvious Dennis was having big fun beating up the sky high above the airport.
With ten flights done, the challenge was complete. Dennis was ready for a cold beverage and called it a good day. Thanks to the dedicated crew, all of his airplanes performed without a squawk. Joel, Stephen, and Jim Rollinson all took turns flying the Aeronca
C3 with Jim capping off his flight by circling over the gathering, cutting power to
the engine and yelling "Happy Birthday". This inspired Dennis to finish off the day with some high speed orbits in the "Airknocker” (the Aeronca) before finally landing; the grin on his face was evident in flight at 500 feet over the field.
the engine and yelling "Happy Birthday". This inspired Dennis to finish off the day with some high speed orbits in the "Airknocker” (the Aeronca) before finally landing; the grin on his face was evident in flight at 500 feet over the field.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Sanders
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