DC-3 Society Celebrates 90 Years of the ‘Gooney Bird’

Weeklong broadcast series will honor the iconic taildragger’s maiden flight and lasting aviation legacy.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 09:35 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A pair of Douglas DC-3s in flight [Credit: DC-3 Society Facebook]

Key Takeaways:

The Douglas DC-3 is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its first flight this month, which occurred on December 17, 1935.
The DC-3 Society is commemorating this milestone with a special weeklong online broadcast series.
The series features discussions with experts, pilots, and historians covering topics like the DC-3's long-distance flights, its lasting influence on aviation, and modern operational challenges.

See a mistake? Contact us.

On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers made their first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and those 12 seconds changed the world. But did you know that just 32 years later, on the same day in 1935, the Douglas DC-3 made its first flight?

The DC-3 Society, an organization dedicated to protecting and honoring the legacy of the airplane nicknamed the “Gooney Bird,” plans to mark the 90th anniversary this month with a special weeklong broadcast series honoring the famous airplane that is still used today.