Florida Firm Upgrades Avionics for Ike's Bird, Fifi | Aviation International News

Florida Firm Upgrades Avionics for Ike's Bird, Fifi

The historic airplanes' upgrades include the addition of Garmin ADS-B.

Commemorative Air Force's Aero Commander L-26B, known as Ike's Bird is the smallest aircraft to ever serve the president of the United States as Air Force One. (Photo: Commemorative Air Force)

By Jerry Siebenmark • Senior Editor

July 16, 2019

Gulf Coast Avionics is outfitting two Commemorative Air Force (CAF) aircraft with Garmin avionics upgrades and providing engineering on its own dime, the Lakeland, Florida-based company announced this week. The aircraft includes an L-26B Aero Commander that once flew former President Dwight Eisenhower and his senior staff. Known as Ike’s Bird, it is the last piston twin to serve as Air Force One.

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