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As the Douglas DC-3 approaches the 90th anniversary of its first flight on December 17, 2026, the DC-3 Society is marking the milestone with a special week-long broadcast series that brings together the people who know the aircraft best. The DC-3 90th Anniversary Broadcast Series features live discussions, exclusive film screenings, and in-depth conversations with pilots, historians, restorers, and operators who continue to keep the aircraft's legacy alive. The Society's leadership expressed its gratitude to the participants who have volunteered their time and expertise to the program, noting that their voices play a vital role in sharing the DC-3's story with a worldwide audience. The series is designed not only to honor the aircraft's remarkable history, but also to highlight the individuals and organizations ensuring the DC-3 remains active and relevant nearly a century after its debut. The broadcast schedule includes several themed events, each focusing on a different dimension of the DC-3's enduring impact.
Transatlantic Tuesday, airing December 16 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, will focus on legendary long-distance flights and the crews who made them possible. Sponsored by Globalair.com, the session will feature panel discussions and firsthand accounts of historic crossings. Participants include Eric Zipkin of Placid Lassie, Steve Rose of D-Day Doll, Doug Rozendaal of That's All, Brother, and Moreno Aguiari, board president of the DC-3 Society and a former Pan Am crew member. The discussion will be moderated by Stephen Lashley of the DC-3 Society team.On December 17 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern, the Society will host Wings of Legacy, a film screening anniversary event centered on the documentary Into Flight Once More. The exclusive screening brings together executive producers and reunion crew members to celebrate the DC-3's maiden flight and its lasting influence on aviation. Sponsored by FunD AV Consulting, Sound Off Films, and Vintage Aviation News, the event will again be moderated by Stephen Lashley. Confirmed participants include Joe Anderson, former Spirit of Benovia and executive producer of Into Flight Once More; Kevin Riley, responsible for flight operations and logistics; Chris Hicks of D-Day Doll; Shane Wallace of Betsy's Biscuit Bomber; and Doug Rozendaal of That's All, Brother, with additional guests to be confirmed. This event will take place on Sound Off Film's Zoom platform and will not be open to the public.Throttle Thursday follows on December 18 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, offering a pilot-focused question-and-answer session that explores what it takes to fly and maintain the DC-3 in the modern aviation environment. Sponsored by longtime DC-3 Society affiliate partner Bradley Mack Aviation, the discussion will be moderated by Julie Boatman of JulietBravoFox Media. The session will include members of the Spirit of Douglas "Odyssey" global flight team, Nick Cerretani, Mark Stewart, and Paul Bazeley, along with Sergio Alen of Florida Air Cargo, Brooks Petitt of Vaerus Jet Sales, and Daniel Wotring of Spirit of Douglas and Aerometal International Fleet.The Society has noted that additional broadcasts originally planned for Monday and Friday have been postponed into the new year due to scheduling challenges, with revised dates to be announced. Tuesday and Thursday sessions will be hosted on the DC-3 Society's Zoom platform and livestreamed to the Society's Facebook page. Together, the DC-3 90th Anniversary Broadcast Series serves as both a celebration and a reminder that the Douglas DC-3 is more than a historic aircraft. It remains a living, flying symbol of innovation, resilience, and the people who continue to dedicate themselves to preserving its place in aviation history. For more information about the DC-3 Society, visit www.dc3society.org.