About Us

What is the CAF New York Wing?

The New York Wing is the regional representative of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) for the New York metropolitan area. The CAF is the world's largest flying museum, operating more than 180 aircraft across more than 80 locations. We are all volunteers and welcome those who want to join us and get involved!

CAF and NYCAF History

The Commemorative Air Force was founded in 1957 in Harlingen, TX by Lloyd Nolen and four friends, who bought a World War II veteran P-51 Mustang, named Red Nose, for $1,500. In the 1960s, they began to pursue the acquisition of each of the major World War II aircraft. By the 1970s, the CAF had begun to structure itself as a network of "franchises," and relocated to its current home in Dallas, TX in 2014.

The New York Wing was founded as the Hudson Valley Wing in July 2023 and formally chartered in February 2024. Headquartered at Hudson Valley Regional Airport (KPOU) in Wappingers Falls, NY, the New York Wing officially represents the CAF in the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

Our mission is to educate the American public about their military aviation heritage, honor the men and women who built, flew, and maintained these extraordinary aircraft, and inspire the next generation with passions for service and flight.

Wing Staff

Luc Zipkin '26

Founder & Unit Leader

Luc works in flight operations and commercial strategy at BETA Technologies and previously founded Goodspeed Flying Service, a specialty aviation services firm. He holds a CPL (ASEL/ASES/AMEL/IR/GL), a DC-3 SIC type rating, and a CFI/MEI, and serves on the NYCAF Flight Evaluation Board and as a Check Pilot. Luc holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and attended Sciences Po.

Burlington, VT

Eric Gleason '26

Executive Officer & Ride Program Coordinator

Eric is an educator at the Research Foundation for SUNY, and a luthier and owner of Kokotele Guitar Works, a specialty guitar repair and modification business. He holds a CPL (ASEL/IR/GL) and is an AGI, as well as a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol. Away from the CAF, he flies a Cessna 182RG. Eric holds a B.A. from SUNY Albany and a M.S. from the College of Saint Rose.

Albany, NY

William Miton '26

Operations Officer

Will is a Captain for a major airline and a career professional pilot. He holds a B.S. from Boston College and an ATP (ASEL/AMEL) with B-737, BE-1900, DC-3 SIC, and SF-340 type ratings. Will is a CFI/CFII/MEI/AGI/IGI, chairs the NYCAF Flight Evaluation Board, and serves as an Instructor. Away from the CAF, he is a partner in a Christen Eagle.

Philadelphia, PA

Emilio Arce '26

Finance Officer

Emilio is Vice President of Software Engineering & Crypto Experience at Fidelity Investments, and has worked in software development since 1996. He graduated from the Universidad de Belgrano and Virginia Tech, and holds a PPL (ASEL/IR). Away from the CAF, he flies a Cessna 182 and 206 and gliders in Vermont, and plays a leading role in inspiring young people to fly through the nonprofit Flight Experience for Youth.

Cambridge, MA | Warren, VT

Angus McLaren '27

Maintenance Officer

Angus is the owner of McLaren Aerospace, an independent experimental aircraft build-assist business and supports the operation and maintenance of a large private aircraft collection in Virginia. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from George Washington University, and a PPL (ASEL/Glider) and experimental repairman authorizations. Angus owns and flies a Zenith STOL CH 701 that he built.

Yonkers, NY

Jeffrey Goldberg '27

Adjutant

Jeff is a cartographer at the United States Military Academy's Department of History & War Studies. He holds a B.A. from Binghamton University, and a PPL (ASEL). Previously, he was a PT-26 Sponsor Pilot and actively flies a Cessna 172.

Beacon, NY

Chris Bell '27

Safety Officer

Chris is a First Officer for a regional airline, and an independent instructor and contract pilot. He holds an ATP (AMEL) with Commercial ASEL privileges as well as a CL-65 type rating, and is a CFI, as well as the primary PT-26 instructor pilot. Chris holds an A.S. from SUNY Schenectady.

Liverpool, NY

Estlin Davies-Smith '26

Education Officer

Estlin is an aviation enthusiast and photographer, and oversees our educational programming. Away from aviation, he works as a commercial fisherman in western Alaska, and is studying for a degree in engineering.

New London, CT

Eric Zipkin '27

Development Officer

Eric is the Founder and CEO of Tradewind Aviation, a leader in regional air mobility. He is also the President of the Tunison Foundation, stewards of D-Day veteran C-47 Placid Lassie, and currently serves as Chairman of the Commemorative Air Force. He attended the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and holds a B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an ATP (ASEL/ASES/AMEL/AMES) with Commercial Glider privileges and CE-525S, CHV-F4U, DC-3, G-TBM, MI-A6M, and N-P51 type ratings, as well as a CFI/CFII/MEI.

Middlebury, CT | East Haddam, CT

Luke Hedin '27

Public Affairs Officer

Luke is a banner tow pilot at High Exposure Aerial Advertising in Woodbine, NJ. He brings a background in social and conventional media marketing, having previously overseen public affairs for the Tunison Foundation, Vintage Flying Machines, and Warbird Digest magazine with great success. He holds a CPL (ASEL/AMEL/IR) with a DC-3 SIC type rating.

Charlotte, NC | Woodbine, NJ