The business got its start in 1979 by Al Redick, Sr. who came to Reno from Southern California, to restore what was once Bill Harrah's P-38 Lightning. It was then that he started CIA Aviation at Reno-Stead Airfield which later became Aviation Classics, Ltd in 1987. In 1989 the family run business was turned over to son Alby Redick who has maintained the chapter 8(a) minority owned company for more than 20 years.
Alby and his dad were the first to import Soviet Mig's into the United States. Aviation Classics has worked extensively with the U.S. Department of Defense in supplying Soviet and Warsaw Pact aircraft, maintenance, parts and pilot flight instruction. Aviation Classics literally wrote the book on operation and maintenance of the Migs for the FAA.
Today, Aviation Classics provides a wide array of services and equipment to customers around the world. Aviation Classics isn't limited to Warbird restoration, importing and exporting of aircraft into the country. Aviation Classics, Ltd. is the premier Fixed Base Operator and FAA Repair Station in Northern Nevada. With a fully staffed and equipped FAA Repair Station and Avionics Shop including a Composites Repair facility and being the exclusive provider of Phillips 66 Aviation products at Reno-Stead Airfield, Aviation Classics can take care of all of your needs.
Aviation Classics over the years has worked very closely with the major motion picture studios in Hollywood providing aircraft and technical support for some of the biggest blockbuster films including "Con Air", "Die Hard 2", "GI Jane" and "A Man Apart". Along with films Aviation Classics has worked on TV commercials for Nissan, Subaru, Rold Gold Pretzels, and Mercedes Benz to name a few.
When visiting the Reno-Lake Tahoe area make Aviation Classics your flight base operation.