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The view: Boeing Plant at Seattle Paine Field (KPAE)
The pilot: Chris Schaich (PIC) and Brian Yates (SIC)
The airplane: Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
The mission: Living History ride flight out of Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO)
The memory: We had flown a few rides earlier in the day local to AWO when someone pointed out it was National Aviation Day. Established in 1939 on Orville Wright’s birthday to celebrate all things aviation, National Aviation Day was established by President Franklin Rosevelt. I thought what better than to fly the iconic Boeing B-17G over the Boeing plant to mark the day. Shiny new jets were parked below as the old gal still gracefully flies overhead 87 years since the first B-17 rolled off the assembly floor.
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Chris Schaich began flying in 1990 while studying Aviation Flight Operations at San Jose State University. He built early flight time instructing and ferrying aircraft, then joined a regional airline in 1997, flying the Saab 340 and later serving as a Line Check Airman on the Avro RJ85. Since 2005, he has flown for a major U.S. airline, currently as a 737 Captain.
A lifelong warbird enthusiast, Chris has flown aircraft such as the B-17, B-25, DC-3, P-40, and P-51 through his work with the Commemorative Air Force and Palm Springs Air Museum. He also raced at the Reno Air Races, competing in the Biplane and Sport classes and serving as a pace pilot through 2023.
With nearly 21,000 hours in over 80 aircraft, Chris credits writers like Ernest Gann and Richard Collins for inspiring his aviation path—and his goal of flying 360 aircraft one day.
A lifelong warbird enthusiast, Chris has flown aircraft such as the B-17, B-25, DC-3, P-40, and P-51 through his work with the Commemorative Air Force and Palm Springs Air Museum. He also raced at the Reno Air Races, competing in the Biplane and Sport classes and serving as a pace pilot through 2023.
With nearly 21,000 hours in over 80 aircraft, Chris credits writers like Ernest Gann and Richard Collins for inspiring his aviation path—and his goal of flying 360 aircraft one day.
Latest posts by Chris Schaich (see all)
- Friday Photo: Timeless Wildcats on the Prowl - October 17, 2025
- Friday Photo: Glimpse of Gold - June 27, 2025
- An Icy Saab Story - January 6, 2025
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