PastFinder Gathering – Just Plane Business: The Scottsdale Airport – Yesterday and Today

Established as a WWII training field, the Scottsdale Airport has a fascinating history. This presentation will look back at some of its highlights, and describe its current operations and future renovations, including the Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial which will be constructed as part of the airport’s new Aviation Business Center later this year.  A Stearman PT-17 bi-plane, the kind used for training at the field in WWII, will serve as the centerpiece of this facility.  This rare plane (with manufacturing date of 9/11/1941) was flown from Arkansas to Scottsdale in April. Our speaker, Steve Ziomek,  is one of two crew members who piloted this classic plane on its two-day journey.

Steve is a Commissioner and Chairman of Scottsdale Airport Advisory Commission.  He is currently a Scottsdale business owner as well as a Major and Command Pilot in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol.  He is a U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate and former Coast Guard Rescue Pilot.