Video Presentation for our $1 Million Campaign

We are proud to release this new video to support our $1 Million capital campaign to construct a new museum facility. In it, you’ll meet Al Kelch, see firsthand the history behind the Kelch organizations and how learn how the Kelch Aviation Museum came to be. You’ll also learn about

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Stearman Photo Shoot

On Thursday, November 3rd, with perfect autumn weather, we conducted an air-to-air photo shoot of our 1928 Stearman C3B with noted aviation photographer, Jim Koepnick. Greg Heckman was the Stearman pilot with Eric Berens piloting the photo ship, our 1932 Curtiss 12-W. Here is a short video clip from the

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New Stearman Prop

Now that we have several flight hours on the museum’s Stearman C3B, its time to start taking care of the squawks that have turned up on the airplane. One of those was the propeller. On take-off, the Wright J-5 engine wasn’t turning up to the proper RPM, only about 1,500

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Tractor Drive for Alzheimer’s Awareness

The museum staff had a great time on Sunday, Sept. 25th hosting a group of vintage tractors on a drive for Alzheimer’s awareness.

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Stearman First Flight Video

The guys over at Synqronus Communications in Monroe, Wis. put together a very nice video of the Stearman’s return to flight on Monday, August 15, 2016. Please take a look below.

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Stearman C3B Return to Flight

Almost 19 years to the day since it last flew, our 1928 Stearman C3B returned to the skies over Brodhead today. Pilot Greg Heckman and our team of mechanics have been working on the old girl for several weeks, fixing several minor squawks and making sure everything turned in the

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$200,000 Donation from William S. Knight Trust

Many people in the Midwest vintage aircraft community know the name Bill Knight. He was a long-time presence at Brodhead Airport where the Kelch Aviation Museum is based, and flew several different restored aircraft for many years. He owned a Waco UPF-7, Waco RNF, Taylorcraft, Airmaster, Cessna 180, two Pietenpols and

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Stearman First Run (in 19 years)

After a lengthy condition inspection, we were able to start the Wright J-5 engine on our 1928 Stearman C3B today. This is the first time it has run since August 22, 1997. We have a few more squawks to fix and it should return to the skies soon! [youtube]NFgO1QLpslw[/youtube] A

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Memorable Flight

On Friday, July 1, we had the pleasure of taking 87-year old Bonnie Jeanne Scholes for a flight in our Travel Air 12W. Jean visited our museum back in May at the airport’s pancake breakfast and mentioned that she was, “…the first woman to land at Brodhead Airport. In 1945!” Jeanne

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Brodhead Area Foundation $30,000 Match Grant

We are excited to announce that the Brodhead Area Foundation has awarded the Kelch Aviation Museum a $30,000 match grant! We have one year to raise $30,000, which will then be matched dollar for dollar by the Brodhead Area Foundation. This will be a tremendous boost toward our $1 Million

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