“Rebuilding America’s Warbirds” Hangar Flying Session

“Rebuilding America’s Warbirds”

Erik Hokuf, Aircorps Aviation

Erik Hokuf’s interest in aviation began when a 4-H project required him to build a model rocket, plastic model, or a radio-controlled airplane. He was bitten by the aviation bug before he entered high school. During the summer prior to his senior year in high school, Erik found a job as an airplane mechanic apprentice at the local airport. He then figured out a way to leave school early in order to work at the airport. Erik was able to receive high school credit and at the same time obtain the required experience for his airframe and powerplant license. By the age of 20 he was a certified A&P. After working for four years with a charter company, Erik started Warhawks Inc., a company that restored and maintained P-40s, P-51s and P-38s. One of these airplanes, a P-40 named the Aleutian Tiger, won Grand Champion at Oshkosh. Most recently his company, AirCorps Aviation, completed restoration of Sierra Sue II, a gorgeous P-51D Mustang.