Gary Vacin

The Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering March 20 will feature a presentation by an aviation enthusiast who recently completed construction of a 3/4-scale P-51 fighter plane.

The program begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Sun Lakes Country Club Mirror Room with coffee and camaraderie, followed by Still’s presentation at 7:00 p.m. The session is open to the public.

Mike Still will describe how he built the aircraft from a kit in his hangar at the Chandler Municipal Airport over a five-year period.

Still started the project in April, 2010. Five years and about 4,000 hours of recorded time later, he completed the aircraft. First flight was in November, 2016.

The P-51 was Still’s second homebuilt aircraft. He started a Murphy Spirit bi-plane in 1995, and made its maiden flight seven years later.

The retired US Navy captain also enjoys rebuilding aircraft. His most notable project was a 1940 Fairchild 24W, which he purchased in 2003 and refurbished and maintained in his hangar until he sold it to make room for the P-51 project.

He is an active member of the local Experimental Association chapter which meets monthly at the Chandler Municipal Airport.

Now in its 21st year, SLAC sponsors programs the third Monday of each month November through April at the Sun Lakes Country Club. The programs are open to all persons interested in aviation.

Guest speaker at the club’s April 17 gathering will be Warren Wallace, who will discuss his flying experiences as an airline pilot in Japan, emphasizing the vast differences in airline pilot training in Japan compared to the U.S.

More information on the club is available from Cannon Hill, 509-539-7857, or Gary Vacin, 298-7017, or at the club’s website, www.sunlakesaeroclub.org.