TOP ACES(Former Discover Air) |
Point of Contact = Squadron Duty Officer (SDO). Refer to the CONTACT LIST under "THE ASSOCIATION" drop down menu. |
Owner(s)Discovery Air (Canada): Discovery Air operates a wide- ranging fleet of aircraft for contract services and supports the Canadian Armed Forces through its Discovery Air De- fense Services (DADS) unit, also known as Top Aces, USA. In December 2013, they completed the acquisition of ATSI of Mesa, AZ, which included their 7 A-4Ns and 3 TA-4Js. DAD’s also maintains a fleet of Dornier Alpha Jets, Westwind 1124s and is “quite well advanced” in talks for the acquisition of F-16 aircraft. Look for them to be in the hunt for US contracts to add to their new contract with the German Air Force at Wittmund, Germany. Discover Air has returned to it's former name of "TOP ACES". |
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AircraftAPR 2016: 7 A-4N and 3 TA-4J Skyhawks. Douglas TA-4F Skyhawks: 152853 - N250WL, Pic2 (NOV01), Pic3 (NOV01). 153500 - N251WL 153672 - N252WL- Top Aces Douglas A-4N Skyhawks: 158730 - IDF-N260WL- C-FGZR - 337 159051 - IDF-N267WL- C-FGZD-367 159523 - N263WL (May 10, 2003) 159530 - N268WL - Note: Sold to BAE Y2007. 159533 - IDF-N261WL- C-FGZH-531 159534 - IDF-N266WL- C-FGZM-532 159536 - IDF-N269WL- C-FGZG-534 159544 - IDF-N265WL- C-FGZS-542 159545 - N262WL - Note: Sold to BAE Y2007. 159823 -IDF- N264WL- C-FGZE-495 FALL 2022 update: 7 A-4N and 1 TA-4 fly supporting German Armed Forces at Wittmund, GE. Two TA-4s were recently sold. |
Home Base(s):Canada Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa AZ. |
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Events: 10 May 2003: Philip Steven Kenny, 42, ejected from BuNo 159523, N263WL, but the ejection seat system malfunctioned and the pilot was fatally injured. It was descending over the Great Salt Lake for landing at Hill AFB when the engine ingested a bird. Subsequently the engine was heavily FOD damaged, and the turbine section was melted. The airplane impacted the lake. NTSB
Unit PhotosThirteen Skyhawks washed and lined up sit on the ATSI Line. 262 Flown by Paul Valovich (Booger) 269 Flown by Randy Clark (Pogo) ATSI N262WL and N269WL in formation. All photographs above via John Lammers and provided by Ev Keech of ATS. They are based at Williams Field in Phoenix. Pictures were taken coming back from Pt. Mugu in 2002 after working with the Nimitz. They are carrying dial-a-threat pods. BuNo 159523 probably at Williams Gateway Field. L to R: 159523 as N263WL, 159545 as N262WL and T-Bird 153500 as N251WL. Photographs by Tom Bispo, Fall of 2003: Fall 2003 left front view of BuNo 154614 resting in the sun at Williams Gateway Field. Tom Bispo. FAll 2003 BuNo 155115 resting in the sun at Williams Gateway Field. Tom Bispo. 07FEB2004: BuNo 153500 probably at Williams Gateway Field. From Kopoff. Below photos taken at FEB 2004 SA Board Meeting, Mesa AZ. Jerry Kopff. N265WL on the ramp. John Gabbard, taken at the February 2004 Board Meeting. BuNo.159545 on the ATSI Ramp. John Gabbard, taken at the February 2004 Board Meeting. 24MAY2014: BuNo 152853 N250WL 24MAY2014 Mess AZ. Photo by Art Jensen, via Gary Verver. |
