We recently received a unique inquiry on Facebook from a gentleman wondering about one of our airplanes – the N7560E. This is not a tail number we operate. He wanted to know if N173SK was the same airplane under a changed registration number.
Curious, I did a quick search and discovered that it was the same airplane. Jeff Air Pilot Services has owned and operated N173SK since 2013. At some point, a past owner petitioned the FAA to change the registration tail number, which some operators do on occasion. I was intrigued with this message as
it was from the son-in-law of a former owner and pilot who passed away about a year ago.
He went on to describe his father-in-law as a retired aviator and a former Airborne Ranger, Smoke Jumper and Engineer on a SR71. I began to wonder about the history of the hidden stories this airplane could tell and the secrets it could reveal. The next day, I was teaching a recurrent class for the airline I also work for and mentioned this email to a colleague attending my class. As it turns out, my colleague flew that same airplane as a student at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. We purchased N173SK from Browns Flying Service in Terre Haute, which was a flight school provider for Indiana State University.
This aircraft definitely has many stories to tell. Jeff Air has a diverse customer base with many firsts to this airplane; first flight, first solo, first license. I know many who have spent countless hours collecting logbook entries pursuing a flying career. It’s not a war bird racing from one air show to another. 173SK is unassuming and not prone for glory, but has a rich history. Aviators that are now entrench in their professional flying career, have flown this airplane.
If you have history in 173SK or know of someone that does, we would love to hear your story.
Thank you in advance,
David Jeffries