Civilian F-16

Jason · by **Jason** » 28 Apr 2008, 21:10

This was just posted on a group that I belong to. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?verified=1&NNumbertxt=324DC

An F-16A, 78-0061, has been registered as N324DC, but as can be seen from the above entry in the FAA's N-number database, there's no info on who owns it.

A prior page when first entering the registration in the website's
search feature says, "This aircraft's registration status may not be
suitable for operation."

However, there's an F-16 on the civil register and given the age of the
aircraft, it's highly unlikely that it's been registered by Lockheed
Martin as they do for company demonstrators and test flights. Anyone
know more about it?

Jason

Jason · by **Jason** » 28 Apr 2008, 21:32

I shall answer my own question....

Resent-Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 13:49:51 -0600 (MDT)

FIRST CIVILIAN F-16, F-18 GO UP FOR SALE
http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stic ... 73/973.htm 161973

http://www.cessnawarbirds.com/articles/PDF/fastjets.pdf

A warbird restoration company in Kansas got an interesting windfall
recently when it was able to purchase an F-16 and F-18. Even better,
when the paint was pealed back on the F-18, restorers discovered it
was Blue Angel blue. The jets add to the inventory of 26 other
military jets for Air Capitol Warbirds LLC of Wichita, Kansas, and
Fulcrum Inc. of Ontario, Canada. But there's a lot of work to be done
before either one flies. Because both planes were demilitarized by the
federal government, the F-18 arrived without wings or instruments. But
company officials said Tuesday that they have been able to locate all
the parts needed for the restoration and expect to have the F-18
flying by the end of the year. The F-16, however, may take two years
of work to restore. The jets will be fully functional, minus the
weapons systems. A civilian has already put down a $100,000 deposit to
hold the F-16, and a similar arrangement is available for the F-18.
Company officials said insurance will, no doubt, be expensive. For
more information, see the Web site: http://www.airwarbirds.com

Joris · by **Joris** » 29 Apr 2008, 16:32

Jason,

The F-16 in Kansas is not F-16A 78-0061[/serial] but F-16C [serial]89-2110/HS. The reason that 78-0061 appears on the USCAR is still a mystery to me.

HTH,
Joris

Jon · by **Jon** » 06 May 2008, 15:23

A bit more information on 78-0061s N registry. An update has it with the Crenshaw County Board of Education. This is even more confusing.

Thanks Bill for the update.

MKopack · by **MKopack** » 07 May 2008, 02:46

I crewed 78-0061 for the short time it was with the 63rd TFTS at MacDill during the 56th TTW's 1989 transition to the Blk 30's.

If someone in fact owns it privately that's great - it would look good out in the front yard. On the other hand if someone is going to attempt to fly her, all the best to them and good luck. They'll need it. She was pretty old and worn down then, and I would guess even more so twenty years later...

Mike

guardbaby · by **guardbaby** » 01 Jul 2008, 20:09

From the FAA website on N324DC:

Registered Owner

Name CRENSHAW COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Street 183 VOTEC DR
City LUVERNE State ALABAMA Zip Code 36049-1705
County CRENSHAW
Country UNITED STATES

Rutgers · by **Rutgers** » 12 Jul 2008, 04:15

she's a lawn bird

Jon · by **Jon** » 25 Jan 2010, 22:23

An update... This aircraft 78-0061 is now preserved in front a of a school. Why it was N registered I'm not sure.

It is on a pole in Highland Home Alabama in front of a High School. The schools foot ball team is known as the Highland Home Flying Squadron Football Team.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_fren ... 062055503/

Here's the local article:
http://www.greenvilleadvocate.com/news/ ... y-arrives/

They simply wanted a plane for display and acquired an F-16!

The articles states that the airframe flew in Desert Storm. That is not true, some one must have said at some point that this "type" has flown in Desert Storm.

Aircraft was officially dedicated on November 23, 2008.

The High School obtained the F-16 in October 2008 yet the registration noted at the top of this post was in April of 2008, six months earlier. Still is a bit of a mystery.

USAF F-16A block 5 (original) #78-0061 is photographed here being preserved on a pole at the Highland Home School in Alabama in August of 2009. [Photo by Steve Frenkel]