Restoration Hall

Work Shop


		The Museum's second phase was the 50' x 100' restoration facility that would house a full shop with necessary machinery and tools, as well as storage for inventories and components. Constructed mainly by Museum volunteers, it was ready for occupancy in late 1999 and is now a center of activity. The Museum is fortunate in having as a member one of the top master aircraft mechanics in the nation, Al Schade, as our Director of Restorations. He has had remarkable careers in aviation for more than a half-century — and that plural is intentional. For 54 years Al has carried an A&P license, and for 52 years he's had Ground Instructor and Commercial Flight Instructor licences with instrument and multi-engine ratings in some 50 types of aircraft. After eight years in the USMC with the 1st and 4th Marine Air Wings in WWII and Korea, Al turned his talents to civil flight instruction and converting military aircraft for the civilian market, then was hired by North American Aviation in another career in Aerospace research and development that lasted for 32 years. So much for "basic" qualifications! In the middle of all projects is a complete rebuild of the L-17 Navion to flying condition. There is also ongoing maintenance of our other Museum ships and vehicles, so Al and his team of talented volunteers manage to keep the place humming.