‘Doc’ cleared for testing at McConnell

The Department of Defense has given permission for “Doc,” the Wichita-built B-29 bomber, to use a runway at McConnell Air Force Base for ground testing, essentially clearing a path for its first flight.

The nonprofit group Doc’s Friends has been restoring the vintage bomber since it came to Wichita in pieces in 2000. Just last month, the plane received its airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

“With the airworthiness certificate from the FAA we received a few weeks ago, and now permission from the Pentagon to use the runway at McConnell, first flight for Doc is imminent,” Jim Murphy, restoration project manager for Doc’s Friends, said in a news release Friday.

Doc’s Friends will now enter into conversations with McConnell officials about when to schedule high-speed taxi testing and eventually takeoffs and landings.

While they awaited a decision from the Pentagon, Doc’s Friends performed minor maintenance and systems tests on the ground, according to a release from the group.

If everything goes according to plan, Doc’s Friends hopes to have the plane in the air in the next few weeks.

“Our restoration volunteers have worked 16 years to get this far, and we’re a few final steps away from completing the first stage of Doc’s mission to honor those who built, flew and maintained the B-29 warbird,” Murphy said.

The group will provide information about public viewings and a timeline for its first flight online at www.b-29doc.com. The Eagle will also have that information when it’s released.

This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "‘Doc’ cleared for testing at McConnell."