Restored Beech SNB Expeditor Open For Skydiving Opportunities

A beautifully restored Twin Beechcraft 18 in its original military configuration as an SNB-5 Expeditor called “Sonoran Beauty” of the Commemorative Air Force’s Mile High Wing in Broomfield, Colorado, has been officially certified as a platform for parachute jump ops.

The new qualification paves the way for skydiving experiences and adds an exciting capability to the aircraft’s popularity as well as to serving to draw more visitors to events such as concerts and fly-ins where Sonoran Beauty is in attendance.

The accomplishment represents the climax of rigorous safety evaluations and extensive training, and enables Sonoran Beauty to provide jump opportunities at events and exhibitions in Colorado and beyond.

Dylan Dorvee of the CAF Mile High Wing, said, “We’re officially parachute jumper qualified! It’s another exciting way to connect the public with aviation history—through flight, adventure, and now, jumps!”

The Mile High Wing is assigned Sonoran Beauty, a pristine example of the Beechcraft SNB, a versatile World War II-era aircraft used for training, transport, and utility missions. The Expeditor is the military variant of the popular civilian transport Twin Beech Model 18, one of the most successful and longest running designs and was in production from 1937 to November 1969.  

All branches of the U.S. military flew versions of the Twin Beech, including the Air Force when it was established in 1947. This example was built as a military SNB-5 at the Beech Aircraft factory in Wichita, Kansas.

The Mile High Wing holds a number of events throughout the season including fly-ins, static displays, and concerts at its hangar at the Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (KBJC).

FMI:  milehighwing.org/