AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky Restored to Factory Perfection

The painstaking process of restoring the damaged aircraft to pristine condition ahead of its giveaway later this year.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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After a ground loop incident last summer left the AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky with damage to its left main landing gear, left wingtip, and firewall, the aircraft was transported to Capital Flight, an Aviat Husky Authorized Service Center in Middleton, Wisconsin. The team there has been meticulously restoring the plane, replacing the left wing, landing gear, and firewall to bring it back to factory-new condition before it is given away to a lucky winner later this year.

Why it matters

Restoring the AOPA Sweepstakes Husky to pristine condition is important to ensure the winner receives an aircraft that is indistinguishable from one fresh off the Aviat Aircraft factory floor. The painstaking process highlights the level of care and attention to detail required to return a damaged plane to showroom-quality status.

The details

The restoration process has involved removing the engine, disconnecting all electrical wires and controls, and precisely drilling 63 holes in the new firewall to match the old one. The team has also installed a new left wing and landing gear, with the final steps including reinstalling the tail, fuselage skins, and windshield, as well as flushing the fuel system and conducting thorough test flights to ensure perfect rigging and trim.

  • Last summer, the AOPA Sweepstakes Husky was ground looped at an Ohio airport while en route to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
  • The aircraft was transported to Capital Flight in Middleton, Wisconsin about six weeks later.
  • AOPA recently visited the shop to document the installation of the new left wing and right wing.

The players

Capital Flight

An Aviat Husky Authorized Service Center located in Middleton, Wisconsin that is handling the restoration of the AOPA Sweepstakes aircraft.

Matt Hofeldt

The owner of Capital Flight, who has pledged that the Husky "won't leave my shop until it is perfect."

Al Checky

The Director of Maintenance at Capital Flight, overseeing the detailed restoration process.

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What they’re saying

“This airplane won't leave my shop until it is perfect.”

— Matt Hofeldt, Owner, Capital Flight

“People look at that simple piece of metal and assume we can replace it in a few hours. But it's a big project.”

— Al Checky, Director of Maintenance, Capital Flight

What’s next

Once the Husky is fully reassembled, the fuel system will be flushed and the aircraft will undergo extensive ground runs and test flights to ensure everything is functioning perfectly before being delivered to the lucky sweepstakes winner later this summer.

The takeaway

The meticulous restoration of the AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky demonstrates the level of care and craftsmanship required to bring a damaged aircraft back to showroom condition. The end result will be an airplane that is indistinguishable from factory-fresh, ensuring the winner receives a pristine example of this iconic backcountry plane.