Lima Lima Flight Team is an USA civil aerobatic team flying six yellow painted Beech T-34 Mentor aircraft. The planes, painted in old NAVY training livery, are equipped with white smoke generators. The "Lima Lima" name was derived from the FAA designator for Naper Aero Club field, which is LL-10, hence the LL on the tails of our aircraft. The team home base is Naper Aero Club field, outside of Naperville, Illinois.
History of the team leads back to 1975, when The Mentor Flyers, Inc flying club was creates. However, the actually formation of the team is in 1987 by Lou Drendel, who became team's first leader. First demonstration of The Lima Lima Flight Team was in 1988 during Chicago Air and Water Show.
On Oct 1, 1999, #2 pilot Keith J. Evans, 61, of Wheaton, was killed in crash when two of the planes collided in the air during six-ship break maneuver. Both T-34 Mentor aircraft collided at 1,500 feet over a Kendall County cornfield about 4p.m. practicing for the upcoming Navy Pier appearance airshow. Evans plane crashed to the ground as the other involved plane landed safely. The cause of the crash declared pilot error, but which pilot, never announced.
Since the creation, The Lima Lima Flight Team performed in many airshows in USA, Canada, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
