Experienced warbird pilot, instructor and mechanic Chris Rounds announced at EAA AirVenture 2024 the establishment of a new aviation flight training organization in Douglas, GA specifically designed to train pilots to fly World War II and post-WWII military training aircraft: The Warbird Academy.
The Warbird Academy, of which Rounds is President, will offer flight instruction, ground instruction, and orientation flights in five military training aircraft:
- Stearman PT-17
- North American AT-6D Texan
- Beechcraft T-34A Mentor
- North American T-28B Trojan
- Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
Ron Kaplan, Director of Communications for The Warbird Academy, stated “The Warbird Academy was created for two distinct purposes; First, to help keep our rich aviation heritage alive by offering pilots flight training in a variety of WWII and Post-WWII military training aircraft and, secondly, to provide an opportunity for individuals to experience the joys of flying in military training aircraft ranging from an open cockpit biplane to a 600-mph jet.”
The Warbird Academy is located at historic Douglas Municipal Airport (DQH) in Douglas, GA. The airport served as the home of the 63rd Army Air Force Flying Training Detachment (63rd AAF-FTD) during WWII and a portion of the airfield is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The airport has a single 6,000 ft X 100 ft runway (04/22), is a non-control tower operation and is on the Jacksonville Sectional chart.
During WWII, the airbase hosted an average of 200 cadets and 75 personnel. Joint management of the airbase continued, with the Raymond-Brinkerhoff Aviation Company overseeing the flying instructors and buildings, while the Army managed the mechanics, cadets, and hospital. By 1943, the main field had expanded to 3,500 feet by 3,500 feet, with auxiliary fields. In addition to the 10 barracks added in 1942, more barracks were constructed in 1943. After Brinkerhoff resigned from Raymond-Brinkerhoff, the company was reorganized into the Raymond-Richardson Aviation Company. The base grew to include 12 buildings and one flagpole.
An estimated 7,000 cadets graduated from the 63rd AAF-FTD. Many of these cadets went on to fly during the war, earn honors, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. In December 1944, the base was decommissioned and returned to the City of Douglas as a civilian complex. Over the years, the airbase has served various purposes, including as a spring baseball training site, school housing, and government office space. The WWII 63rd AAF-FTD Flight Training Museum and the Douglas-Coffee County Veterans Park are now located on the airbase grounds.
The grand opening of The Warbird Academy will be on November 9 and 10, 2024 at the Douglas Veteran’s Day Fly-in at Douglas Municipal Airport. For more information on The Warbird Academy, please visit their website or call 931-224-7513.
