Newest Addition to the Terminal 

Next time you walk into the Terminal building at the Greeley-Weld County Airport, don’t forget to look up. As a tribute to Ed Beegles, we have recently installed a 1949 T8F Luscomb Observer airplane in the terminal lobby. Friends and family raised $50,000.00 to purchase, engineer and suspend this unique plane for a display. Originally designed to win a contract with ARMY, this high-wing tandem 85 hp liaison airplane was sold over the years to several people in Nebraska before it finally made its way to Julesburg, Colorado.  Just after the airplane was traded to a pilot in Greeley, the plane was immediately impaled by a fence post pushing its engine through the instrument panel.  The airplane then sat around the airport for 10-15 years until Ed purchased the wreckage for $300.00. Over several years, Ed reconstructed the aircraft and it once again took flight in 1983. The airframe now has over 1200 hours.


            When the Luscomb was fully funded, Harris Aviation organized the suspension of the aircraft. The plane was brought into the terminal building in several pieces: Wings, fuselage and tail. Once inside, it was reconstructed and immediately suspended from the ceiling. On April 28th, 2012, there was a ceremony at the Greeley-Weld County Airport where friends and family could come and commemorate Ed Beegles and celebrate his life of accomplishments and passion for aviation. This event was catered by Kenny’s Steak House and was standing room only at some points. The outcome was certainly a reflection of the impact that Ed had on our community.