Company History

In 1989, Pride Aircraft, Inc. began with one goal in mind: To be the BEST in Warbird restoration.

Our first project, John Morgan's personal T-28B Perfect Peggy, was a two-year-long, 7-day-a-week effort. During the restoration, which consumed more than 10,000 man-hours, we maintained a single standard -- NEVER accept anything that is just "good enough."

Perfect Peggy evolved into the first true "ground-up" T-28 restoration. In 1992, she won "Grand Champion Warbird" at the Oshkosh AirVenture show, and Pride Aircraft, Inc was awarded the prestigious Golden Wrench award. Perfect Peggy achieved another "Grand Champion Warbird" award during Sun-N-Fun 1993 against a very distinguished field of competitors. In fact, Perfect Peggy became the last Grand Champion Warbird in the EAA unlimited awards competition, as the judging rules were permanently changed shortly after that event.

During the next several years, Pride continued restoring T-28s, winning no fewer than five additional "Reserve Grand Champion" and "Grand Champion" awards. In fact, one of our T-28's won "Reserve Grand Champion" at Sun-N-Fun '04 for a second time -- eight years after its restoration!

In 1996, Pride began restoring and maintaining Aero Vodochody's superb L-39 "Albatros." The L-39 is now a mainstay of our business, reflecting the popularity of this aircraft in the Warbird community. Pride currently holds 17 awards for our L-39 work from AirVenture, Sun-N-Fun, and other major airshows around the country.

In addition to the T-28 and L-39, we have maintained and/or restored the following aircraft:

T-6 Texan
T-33 "T-Bird"
T-34 Mentor
P-51 Mustang
MiG-15
MiG-17
O-1 Bird Dog
O-2 Skymaster
OV-1 Mohawk
TS-11 "Iskra"
F-86/Sabre 6
BAC 167 Strikemaster

Pride is now a leader in the North American warbird restoration business and continues to set the standard for excellence.

In 2003 we moved to our current facility, which tripled our available floor space and allowed us to open our FBO, North American Aviation.

Click here to learn about North American Aviation. We offer special fuel prices for Warbird owners. Call for current "Warbird" rates or just stop by on your next cross-country.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)



"Perfect Peggy" appeared on the cover of Sport Aviation in December 1992.

Our New Home

John P. Morgan, Sr., President/CEO of Pride Aircraft standing beside his favorite airplane, Aero's superb L-39.

Nathan Jones, General Manager at Pride Aircraft and the one who does the real work!

[Click here to see photos of our Training Staff]

CONTACT INFO:
6028 Cessna Drive, Rockford, IL 61109
Phone 815.969.7743 / Fax 815.969.7846
E-Mail: Prideaircraftinc@aol.com

(c) 2007, Pride Aircraft. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be duplicated without express permission from Pride Aircraft.