DC-3 Society Operators Conference & Showcase
DC-3 Society Operators Conference & Showcase
Over three unforgettable days, owners, operators, maintainers, pilots, educators, industry partners, and aviation enthusiasts will gather to collaborate, share knowledge, and celebrate the enduring legacy of the legendary Douglas DC-3 and C-47. Friday focuses on professional sessions for the operator community; Saturday and Sunday are open to the public with aircraft displays, educational programming, youth activities, and community engagement. Join us to honor the past, strengthen the present, and help keep these iconic flying museums airworthy for generations to come.
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History of Flabob Airport
Flabob Airport (KRIR), one of California’s oldest continuously operating airports, is the perfect home for the DC-3 Society’s inaugural Operators Conference & Showcase. Founded in 1925 and later named by combining the first names of owners Flavio Madariaga and Bob Bogen, this historic grassroots airfield has long been a haven for vintage aircraft, homebuilders, and aviation enthusiasts; it is the birthplace of EAA Chapter One and is now operated by the Tom Wathen Center with a strong focus on education and preserving flying history. Nestled beside the Santa Ana River near Riverside, Flabob’s classic hangars and community spirit make it an ideal setting for gathering the world’s DC-3 operators, maintainers, and admirers this December. Go to their website here.
Event Details
Event Venue
Flabob Airport |
4130 Mennes Ave
Riverside, CA 92509
Questions?
Tentative Event Schedule
December 4
Aircraft Arrivals 12pm-5pm (approx.)
Crew BBQ: 6pm-10pm
December 5
Registered Operator Conference: 9am-4pm
Public Showcase: 10am-4pm
Ticketed Dinner & Film Screening: 6pm-10pm
December 6
Public Showcase: 9am-12pm
Aircraft Departures: 12pm-3pm
Hotel Options
Hyatt Place - 4.8 miles away
3500 Market St.
Riverside, CA 92501
951-321-3500
Home2 Suites – 5.0 miles
3870 5th St.
Riverside, CA 92501
951-344-3100
Hampton Inn - 4.9 miles away
3505 Market St.
Riverside, CA 92501
951-788-5000
Courtyard Marriott– 6.9 miles
1510 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92507
951-276-1200
The Mission Inn – 5.2 miles
3649 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, CA 92501
951-784-0300
Marriott - 4.9 miles
3400 Market St.
Riverside, CA 92501
951-784-8000
Program & Schedule
Three Days. One Legendary Community.
Please note: This is a preliminary program overview. Additional speakers, experiences, exact session times and registration information will be announced in the coming months.
Friday, December 4
ARRIVALS, CONNECTION & WELCOME
The weekend begins as participating DC-3 and C-47 aircraft arrive at Flabob Airport and the worldwide community begins to come together.
Planned Friday Highlights
Participating Aircraft Arrivals
Welcome participating aircraft and crews as they arrive at Flabob Airport for the weekend.
Conference & Crew Registration
Registered attendees and participating crews check in and receive event information.
Operator & Crew Networking
Reconnect with fellow operators, owners, crew members and friends from across the DC-3 community.
Crew & Operator Welcome BBQ
Kick off the weekend with a special welcome gathering featuring dinner, networking and fun!
More Details Coming Soon
We are continuing to finalize special Friday programming, including a very exciting featured Saturday speaker joining us.
Saturday, December 5
OPERATORS CONFERENCE + PUBLIC SHOWCASE
Saturday is the heart of the inaugural event, bringing together a full day of operator-focused education, collaboration and networking alongside a unique public experience celebrating the legendary DC-3 and C-47.
THE DC-3 SOCIETY OPERATORS CONFERENCE
Designed for operators, owners, crew members, maintainers, restorers and industry professionals, the conference will provide opportunities to learn, collaborate and discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in keeping these remarkable aircraft flying.
Saturday Conference Highlights
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Continental Breakfast
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Operator Conference Programming
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Four Educational Breakout Sessions
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Operator Luncheon & Keynote
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Additional Networking & Collaboration
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Saturday Evening Dinner
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Special Film Screening Experience
Conference Sessions
DC-3 Training
Initial • SIC/PIC • Recurrent • Simulator Integration
Explore training pathways and considerations for those entering or continuing in DC-3 and C-47 operations, including initial and recurrent training, SIC/PIC experience and the evolving role of simulator integration.
Maintenance & Parts Support
Keeping these aircraft flying requires a dedicated community of maintenance professionals, suppliers and experts.
This session will explore the challenges, resources and collaboration involved in maintaining the legendary DC-3 and supporting continued operations.
DC-3 Restoration: Returning the Legend to the Skies
Behind every restored DC-3 is an extraordinary story.
Hear from those involved in bringing historic aircraft back to life and explore the expertise, dedication and challenges involved in preserving these legendary machines for future generations.
Entering DC-3 Flying & Flight Operations
What does it take to become involved in DC-3 operations?
This session will explore pathways into flying and operating the aircraft, offering insight into the unique opportunities and considerations surrounding this remarkable segment of aviation.
Speaker and panelist announcements coming soon.
The Public DC-3 Showcase
Your Backstage Pass to the Legends of Flight.
Saturday also welcomes the public to experience the aircraft, crews and organizations preserving the DC-3 and C-47 legacy.
The DC-3 Flightline Pass is being designed to offer an enhanced event experience for those who want to get closer to the legends.
Planned Experiences Include
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Enhanced access to participating aircraft
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Opportunities to meet participating crews and operators
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Preferred Flightline viewing
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Public presentations and demonstrations
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Official event and commemorative experiences
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Family-friendly activities
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Opportunities to participate in simulator experiences, subject to availability
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Additional aviation experiences and programming
More Public Programming Coming Soon
In response to requests and feedback from DC-3 Society members, we are adding several new member-requested experiences and features to this year's event.
Watch for additional announcements as the public program continues to grow.
Saturday Evening
A SPECIAL NIGHT OF AVIATION, HISTORY & STORYTELLING
The experience continues Saturday evening as attendees come together for a special dinner and a planned film screening experience.
We are currently working to finalize this exciting addition to the program and look forward to sharing more details — including the featured film and screening experience — soon.
This will be a special evening you won't want to miss.
Sunday, December 6
ONE LAST LOOK AT THE LEGENDS
The weekend concludes with one final opportunity to experience the participating aircraft before crews prepare for departure.
Planned Sunday Highlights
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Grab-and-Go Breakfast for Participating Aircraft Crews
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Continued Public DC-3 Flightline Viewing
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Final Opportunities to Experience Participating Aircraft
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Aircraft Departures Throughout the Day
There is nothing quite like seeing a gathering of these historic aircraft come together — except perhaps watching them depart and continue their journeys home.
THE PROGRAM IS STILL GROWING
This is just the beginning.
We are continuing to finalize:
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Featured speakers and keynote programming
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Conference panelists
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Member-requested experiences
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Public programming
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Special evening events
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Registration options
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Hotel and travel information
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Additional aircraft participation details
Check back often as new experiences and announcements are added.