October brings a fresh start for AS Pisa! We kicked off the month with elections for the Local Board, resulting in a fully renewed team, who shared an overview of the events planned for the upcoming year.
The 12th of October, the newly elected Local Board brought a group of almost 20 members to the Hangar G of the Archivio Storico Federighi, a place with the aim of preserving, restoring, enhancing and protecting the historical aeronautical material related to the period that goes from the beginning to the mid-1900s.
The Federighi brothers, driven by their passion for aviation history, created this remarkable archive, officially inaugurated on January 19th, 2023. Their dedication has led to the preservation of thousands of historical documents, photographs, and memorabilia related to aviation.
A notable addition to this collection is the single-seat aircraft “Gabardini Scuola,” an iconic training aircraft designed in the early 20th century by the Italian aviation pioneer, Alessandro Gabardini. By including it in their archive, the brothers have saved a piece of aviation history that played a pivotal role in shaping Italy’s early air training programs. The “Gabardini Scuola” served as a cornerstone for training military and civilian pilots during the early days of Italian aviation, particularly in the 1910s and 1920s. The aircraft was renowned for its simple, yet reliable design, which made it ideal for flight training, becoming a synonym of the development of Italian aeronautics. The names “Hangar G” and their group “I Gabarda” are direct tributes to this historic aircraft, reflecting the profound impact of Gabardini’s work on both aviation and the Federighi brothers’ collection.
Mario Federighi, CEO and President of Farmigea S.p.A., gave our group an outstanding tour of the Hangar G. Among the pieces there were restored wooden propellers, the tail of a military aircraft, old engines and many more items, each carrying a unique history. Unlike other places, the Hangar G has a distinctive rule: it is an open archive, not a museum, meaning that visitors are encouraged to touch and engage with the objects, allowing a fully immersive experience!
Federighi provided us captivating backstories for each piece, explaining how they found their way to the archive, as well as the significant stories of the civilians and military personnel connected to them. We could feel from his words the commitment he has to honouring, remembering and sharing the history of aviation. He also introduced us to the “Gabarda” group, the dedicated team of members who manage restoration projects at the archive. Each member selects a piece to restore, and almost every Saturday morning – when the archive is open – they gather to work on their chosen projects. Listening to their stories, we were fascinated by the depth of experience within the group, which includes former pilots, military parachutists, and passionate people.
We then headed to the archive, where hundreds of aviation books, magazines, photos, and photographic slides are stored. The collection covers all kinds of moments from aviation history, from old aircraft designs to stories of the aviators and engineers who shaped the field. It’s an in-depth look at how aviation has changed over the years, preserving both technical details and personal stories.
It was a great experience, stay tuned for the next adventure!