Lituanica Foundation

Lituanica Project: The project will attempt to finish the dream of Darius and Girenas. A sister ship to the original Lituanica was located and purchased. The plan is to restore the aircraft, in the United States, to the original Lituanica specifications. When the restoration is completed, in progress over the last 10 years, an original part from the Lituanica will be installed. Technically the original aircraft can be rebuilt around the original part; Lituanica reborn. The original plan was to have the aircraft flown to the crash site on 75th anniversary date in 2008 and at the time of their crash, to finish the originally intended flight. However, the funding has not been forthcoming and so we are back to finishing the project in the next year or two. If major funding is received by the start of the 2008, we might be able to get complete the project.

After completing the flight, the goal is for the airplane to be flown back to the US in time for the EAA convention at Oshkosh; in away, completing the circle of their dream. It would spend approximately a year frequenting air shows in the US and Canada, especially to those cities where there is a large Lithuanian contingent. The aircraft would then be returned to Lithuania and hopefully become an active goodwill ambassador for Lithuanian aviation, commerce and education.

The funding for this project would come from the Lituanica Foundation. (Currently in the process of being formed). The foundation would fund the creation of a special display for the Lituanica, keeping it in flying status and preserving the accomplishments and history of Darius and Girenas.

Those interested in helping or contributing to this project may get additional information by e-mailing a request in care of the Lituanica Foundation - jsakas@aeroexec.com

Principles: This project is a life long dream of Julius (Jay) Vytautas Sakas. He is a retired Captain, having flown 747s for a major airline. Currently, he is an instructor for a major flight training company, instructing in Boeing 777 and upon certification of the aircraft, the new Boeing 787.