Taking the controls of a roaring warbird is like stepping into a time machine, where raw power and pure skill reign supreme. Today’s aircraft have layers of automation that make flight more accessible and safer for pilots, but if you want the analog experience of flying a vintage warbird, Finnegan Aviation has everything you need.
A warbird is a vintage military aircraft, and Finnegan Aviation offers training to build the technical skills necessary for flying things like the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk, the Aero Vodochody L-29, the Aero Vodochody L-39, and the North American T-28 Trojan. For enthusiasts, it’s rare to get an opportunity to train with legacy aircraft and master the skills to make them sore. For those who complete the training and certification process, Finnegan offers a custom coin to celebrate their efforts.
It’s fitting that the team at Finnegan Aviation chose challenge coins - the first ever challenge coins were believed to have been created by pilots all the way back in the First World War. Today, challenge coins are used across all military branches and throughout the civilian world as well. But when you take a seat in something like a P-51 or an old Grumman Mohawk, custom coins like Finnegan’s harken back to something so much deeper in challenge coin lore.
Every challenge coin is a mark of achievement that captures the spirit of a team. These American made challenge coins have the Finnegan Aviation Services logo on one side, and the organization’s motto - Contumacious Aeternus - on the other. The antique silver plating was chosen because it’s reminiscent of the steel frame and weathered colors of many vintage military aircraft.
There is also a reference to the FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate that anyone who completes training through Finnegan Aviation will receive. But earning one of these coins means more than just completing the required certification process; it’s a testament to a person’s ability to master themselves and demonstrate the composure and technical skill to command some of the most iconic aircraft in American history.
Challenge coins have been a staple in the military community for longer than some of the legacy warbirds Finnegan Aviation flies. Every coin has a unique story to tell, and it’s great to see Finnegan offering these coins as a tribute to hard work, precision, and dedication. Earning one is the culmination of a pilot’s journey, and celebrates their inclusion in a select group of warbird pilots.
If you have a story that you’d like to capture in coin form, we’d love to hear it! All we need are a few of your ideas, and we’ll help you turn them into an extraordinary design, free of charge! Just fill out a free quote form to get started.