Historic Flight Foundation | Everett

The Historic Flight Foundation (HFF) was one of the premier living aviation museums in the United States, best known for its collection of fully operational aircraft from what is widely considered the Golden Age of Aviation (1927–1957). It functioned not just as a static display museum but as an active restoration, maintenance, and flying facility that brought historic aircraft to life in the sky.

Founding and Mission

Founded in 2003 by John T. Sessions, a Seattle-based attorney, entrepreneur, and pilot, the foundation was driven by his passion for aviation history and aircraft preservation. Sessions envisioned a facility that would preserve, restore, and fly historically significant aircraft, allowing the public to experience aviation heritage not through glass cases, but in motion, as it was meant to be.

The Historic Flight Foundation’s core mission was:

To acquire and restore vintage aircraft from 1927–1957.

To operate these aircraft safely for public exhibition and educational purposes.

To offer immersive learning opportunities through STEM and historical aviation programs.

Locations and Facilities

Original Site – Paine Field (Everett, WA)

HFF’s first home was at Kilo-6 Hangar, a 50,000-square-foot facility adjacent to Paine Field.

It featured an exhibition gallery, a theater, restoration shops, administrative offices, and a lounge for pilot crew briefings.

This facility emphasized transparency: visitors could observe restoration work in real time and interact with crew members and docents.

New Location – Felts Field (Spokane, WA)

In 2019, the museum moved to a custom-built 20,600-square-foot facility at Felts Field, a historic airport with deep aviation roots.

The new hangar was purposefully designed to mirror 1930s Art Deco styles, blending with the architecture of the original terminal.

It included:

Glass-walled mezzanines for viewing active maintenance/restoration.

A collection hangar that doubled as an event venue.

Conference spaces and pilot briefing areas.

The move aimed to increase public access, improve preservation conditions, and enhance educational outreach in Eastern Washington.

Aircraft Collection

The Foundation curated a meticulously restored collection of flyable aircraft, representing both military and civilian aviation milestones. Each aircraft was either fully operational or restored to flying condition using original parts and authentic livery. Notable aircraft included:

North American P-51B Mustang – A rare early-version Mustang with a Malcolm hood, representing World War II fighter innovation.

Douglas DC-3 (Pan Am markings) – A transatlantic-capable aircraft that revolutionized commercial aviation; this plane recreated early air routes.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXe – A late-war version of Britain’s iconic WWII fighter, painstakingly restored to authentic specifications.

Grumman F8F Bearcat – One of the fastest piston-engine fighters ever built, it marked the end of the propeller age.

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver – A rugged bush plane known for its reliability in remote areas.

Beechcraft Staggerwing D17S – A luxury aircraft from the 1930s known for its elegant lines and speed.

North American T-6 Texan – Used to train WWII pilots, this advanced trainer was a workhorse in military aviation.

Each aircraft was restored to airworthy condition, often using original blueprints, historic documentation, and aviation-grade vintage materials.

Educational and Public Programs

Education was a major priority for HFF. The foundation hosted a wide range of public engagement initiatives, including:

STEM Programs: Collaborated with schools and local institutions to offer students hands-on experiences in engineering, physics, and history through aviation.

Flight Experience Programs: Guests could ride in select aircraft, offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fly in a WWII plane.

Restoration Workshops: Volunteers and interns participated in restoration projects, learning vintage aircraft mechanics firsthand.

Lecture Series and Hangar Talks: Veteran pilots, mechanics, and historians gave presentations on topics ranging from air combat to aircraft design.

Air Shows and Fly Days: The foundation organized annual events like Vintage Aircraft Weekend, where its planes flew demonstration sorties.

The environment fostered deep community involvement and intergenerational learning. Veterans often volunteered to share firsthand stories, connecting history with living memory.

Restoration Philosophy

HFF’s restoration efforts were based on a guiding philosophy: authenticity in flight. Every aircraft was restored not only to look accurate, but to perform as it did during its operational years. This required:

Sourcing rare parts from global suppliers or fabricating them using original drawings.

Consulting with historians, aviation engineers, and former pilots.

Performing engine and systems overhauls to FAA-certifiable standards.

Applying historically correct paint schemes, insignias, and even cockpit instruments.

This meticulous approach earned HFF multiple honors at the National Aviation Heritage Invitational and other preservation forums.

Decline and Closure

In 2023, the foundation faced severe financial and legal challenges. John Sessions became involved in a legal dispute tied to other business dealings, which resulted in a court ruling and forced asset liquidation.

Public operations were suspended in August 2023.

The foundation entered receivership later that year.

Several aircraft were sold at auction or transferred to other museums and private collectors.

By 2024, the Historic Flight Foundation was officially dissolved.

Despite its closure, the foundation left a powerful legacy: it demonstrated how aviation history can be both preserved and kept alive through flight. Its model of combining historical preservation with operational functionality set a benchmark for interactive museums worldwide.

Legacy

The Historic Flight Foundation was more than just a museum-it was a living embodiment of aviation history. Through operational aircraft, personal storytelling, and direct engagement with the public, it offered a rare portal into a dynamic past. Though its operations ceased, its impact on aviation heritage, public education, and historical preservation remains lasting and widely respected within the aviation community.