CHICO, CA USA — The newest plane at the Chico Air Museum is very different than the others. This new plane makes museum members wildly excited because of its firsts. It is the first operational plane acquired by the museum, which had it flown from New Mexico to Chico.
Because it can fly, it will enable museum members to achieve another first — fly to and participate in other communities’ air shows.
There’s one more first, but it’s an unknown at this point — the first time the public will see the plane.
The Swiss-made Pilatus P-3 is tucked into a private hangar at the Chico Municipal Airport. It has not made it among the other planes in the museum’s outdoor yard.
“It’s in such beautiful shape that we’re going to protect it until the weather is a sure thing,” according to museum president Norm Rosene.
How the plane came to Chico is one of Rosene’s new favorite stories. He credits Chico aircraft broker Dan Jay, who heard its owner was trying to get rid of it, along with another plane.
Always quick on the uptake when it comes to possible acquisitions, Rosene followed up immediately.
Knowing a plane like this — airworthy and in great shape — would be a plum acquisition for any air museum, Rosene worked quickly to convince the owner that Chico would be a worthy destination.
Chico Air Museum gets first airworthy aircraft