DC-3 Mainliner
Restored 1945 Douglas DC-3 touring air shows and events from Oxnard, California
USAAbout DC-3 Mainliner
The DC-3 Mainliner is a fully restored 1945 Douglas DC-3 that travels the United States to celebrate aviation history and inspire the next generation of aviators. Owned by DC3 Mainliner, LLC and operated by California Aeronautical University (CAU), it is based at Oxnard Airport in Oxnard, California, and is cared for by a team of aviation professionals, educators, mechanics, pilots and volunteers led by owner Matt Johnston, president of CAU. Built near the end of the Second World War, the aircraft remained stateside, served government leaders including Jimmy Carter as well as corporate and commercial operators, and later came to Van Nuys, California, where it caught the attention of aviation pioneer Clay Lacy.
History
- Clay Lacy, raised in Kansas during the Depression, had nearly 200 flight hours by age 19 and flew for United Airlines for more than 41 years, beginning his airline career on the DC-3; his career spans the military, air racing, corporate aviation and more than 3,000 film projects, with numerous world records and the most turbine jet flight hours in history
- In 2000 Lacy fully restored the aircraft in an authentic 1948 United Airlines paint scheme and christened her Mainliner O'Connor, honouring the executive DC-3 of United Airlines founder William Patterson
Bookings
The DC-3 Mainliner is available for air shows, aviation and community events, educational outreach, private experience flights and film production. Experience flights with a professional crew let passengers step into the golden age of air travel; the aircraft can fly demonstrations or be showcased on the ramp as a static display for air shows, airport events and STEM days where visitors explore it up close; and its period United Airlines livery makes it suitable for film, television, commercials and photography. CAU uses the aircraft as a flying classroom and storytelling platform that connects visitors with modern pathways into flight training and aviation careers, and the website offers booking enquiries and a news and events newsletter.
Shows
DC-3 Mainliner appears in the sponsor lists of the ICAS Convention 2026, where it is listed as a silver sponsor.
Contact
Based at Oxnard Airport, Oxnard, California, United States
Description from the company’s website. Is this your company? Claim this page to add your services, photos and contact details.
Location
Oxnard Airport, Oxnard, California, United States
Open in maps ↗More companies in United States, North America
Events where DC-3 Mainliner exhibits
All aviation events- 1
- event
- 1
- country
- 1
- as sponsor
View eventICAS Convention
7 to 10 December 2026 · Las Vegas, United States
Silver sponsor
From the organisers’ published exhibitor and sponsor lists.
Companies exhibiting at the same events
Directory companies that exhibit at the same shows as DC-3 Mainliner, most shared events first.
Photos
Similar aviation events
AH MARCOM Solutions
Aviation Events · United States
AH MARCOM Solutions, LLC is a US marketing and communications firm. It plans government conferences and industry events, manages trade show exhibits and offers marketing advice.
View company
Ai Events | Airline Information
Aviation Events · United States
Ai Events runs airline and travel industry conferences and networking events on loyalty, payments and fraud from a Florida registered base.
View company
Air Race Classic, Inc.
Aviation Events · United States
Air Race Classic, Inc. runs the Air Race Classic, a cross-country air race for women pilot teams.
View company
Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA)
Associations and Chambers · United States
ATCA is a non-profit association in Alexandria, USA, representing the US industry that designs and maintains the national air traffic management system.
View company