The DC-3 Society has announced the dates and program details for its inaugural DC-3 Society Operator Conference & Showcase, scheduled for December 4–6, 2026, at historic Flabob Airport in Riverside, California. Following this year’s D-Day commemorations honoring the generation that flew, maintained, and depended upon the legendary Douglas DC-3 and military C-47 Skytrain, the event will bring together operators, maintainers, pilots, owners, educators, industry partners, aviation enthusiasts, and future aviation professionals for three days focused on preserving and promoting the operational legacy of one of aviation’s most significant aircraft.
The gathering will begin on Friday, December 4, with the DC-3 Society Operator Conference, a dedicated forum for owners, operators, maintainers, pilots, and crew members. The conference will focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, maintenance best practices, training, airworthiness, and long-term operational sustainability. Planned activities include educational sessions, networking opportunities, a luncheon program, a reception, and an evening social gathering designed to strengthen connections within the global DC-3 community.
(Image credit: Paul van den Berg)
“The inaugural DC-3 Society Operators Conference & Showcase represents a defining moment for our organization and the global DC-3 community we serve,” said Moreno Aguiari, founding board chair of the DC-3 Society. The event will expand to the public on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, with a showcase featuring DC-3 aircraft displays, aviation exhibits, educational programming, youth-focused activities, community engagement opportunities, and additional special events celebrating the aircraft’s enduring influence on aviation history and culture.
“At Flabob, we have spent decades proving that aviation can change lives,” said Jon Goldenbaum, trustee chairman of the Tom Wathen Center at Flabob Airport. “Through education, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, we have helped young people discover purpose, opportunity, and careers they never imagined possible. The DC-3 Society Operator Conference & Showcase represents that same spirit of stewardship and investment in future generations. While this event celebrates one of the most iconic aircraft in history, it is equally about preserving the knowledge, craftsmanship, and passion that keep these aircraft flying. We are proud to welcome this inaugural gathering to Flabob Airport and the Tom Wathen Center.”
Flabob Airport, one of the oldest continuously operating airports in the United States and home to EAA Chapter One, will serve as the venue for both the professional conference and the public showcase. Registration and ticketing information will be announced in the coming months. Additional details regarding programming, sponsorship opportunities, and participation options will be released through the DC-3 Society’s official channels.
(Image credit: Paul van den Berg)
Founded as the first type society dedicated to the DC-3, the DC-3 Society provides type-specific guidance for operators of the DC-3 and its variants, including the C-47, to help ensure their continued airworthiness. The organization also preserves the legacy of the veterans who flew, maintained, and relied upon the aircraft from WWII through the Vietnam War. Through commemorative flights, educational outreach, the Young Historians Program, museum partnerships, and collaborative preservation initiatives, the Society works to keep the history of the DC-3 alive while inspiring future generations.For more information about Flabob Airport, visit www.flabobairport.org. About the DC-3 Society, visit www.dc3society.org.
