Team
Luc Zipkin
Owner & CFI/MEI
East Haddam, CT
Luc learned to fly in gliders first, in the mountains of northern Vermont, before transitioning to classic taildraggers. Today, he has flown 35+ different types of aircraft in a variety of professional, non-profit, and family-use contexts, with over 1,200 hours of tailwheel time.​
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He is licensed as a Flight Instructor (CFI/MEI) and Commercial Pilot (ASEL/ASES/AMEL/IR/GL) with a DC-3 SIC type rating. Away from Goodspeed Flying Service, he flies for museums and private collectors, and serves as Unit Leader of the CAF New York Wing. He is also an aviation writer, an undergraduate at nearby Wesleyan University, and previously worked for the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.​​
Eric Zipkin
Senior Instructor & Contract Pilot
Middlebury, CT
Eric has been a pilot for over 35 years and involved in the warbird and vintage aviation movement for over 20 years. As the leader of the D-Day Squadron, he coordinated the commemorative tour of the UK, France, and Germany by 15 Douglas DC-3/C-47s for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. He has been authorized to lead civilian formations over the President of the United States and foreign heads of state, and is the only living DC-3 amphibian captain. He currently serves as President of the Tunison Foundation, Chief of Staff of the Commemorative Air Force, and Development Officer at the CAF New York Wing.​
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Eric is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tradewind Aviation, which today operates more than 35 Pilatus PC-12s for scheduled airline service and private charter from bases in Connecticut, New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico. He is licensed as a Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) and Airline Transport Pilot (ASEL/ASES/AMEL/AMES) with Commercial Glider privileges, and holds CE-525S, CHV-F4U, DC-3, G-TBM, MI-A6M, and N-P51 type ratings. Eric has more than 12,000 hours of flight experience, with over 2,200 hours of tailwheel time. Additionally, he is a Part 135 check airman, pilot examiner for St. Barthélemy Airport (TFFJ) landing qualifications, and a partner in Goodspeed Airport & Seaplane Base. Eric holds a B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and attended law school at Pace University.
Luke Hedin
Contract Pilot
Charlotte, NC
Luke currently flies a variety of light tailwheel aircraft for High Exposure Aerial Advertising in Woodbine, NJ during the summer months, with over 600 hours of tailwheel experience. Additionally, he is a staff pilot for the Tunison Foundation.​
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He is licensed as a Commercial Pilot (ASEL/AMEL/IR) with a DC-3 SIC type rating. Luke has managed public affairs and media for the Tunison Foundation, Vintage Flying Machines, Warbird Digest magazine, and the CAF New York Wing, where he is currently serving as Public Affairs Officer. Previously, he worked as a volunteer firefighter in North Carolina.
