The flight of the ECUADOR 🇪🇨 50th Anniversary

In 1981, Theodore E. Gildred Jr. embarked on a journey that seamlessly bridged the history of aviation with the diplomatic spirit of the Americas. 

Flying a 1943 Stinson Reliant dubbed "Ecuador II," Gildred retraced the historic 4,200-mile path blazed by his father exactly fifty years earlier. 

The original 1931 flight, inspired by the feats of Charles Lindbergh, had been a pioneering effort to establish goodwill and commercial links between San Diego and Quito. 

By touching down in the Ecuadorian capital on March 31, 1981—at the precise hour of his father’s anniversary—Gildred Jr. not only honored a family legacy but also reinforced the enduring bond between the United States and the South American agricultural heartland.

This "Spirit of Goodwill" flight was more than a commemorative gesture; it was a mission of generosity and development. 

Upon his arrival, Gildred donated the Stinson Reliant to the people of Ecuador, providing the cornerstone for what would become the nation’s first aviation museum. This act of philanthropy mirrored his father’s 1931 donation of the original "Ecuador" aircraft, which had served as the country’s first regulated airmail carrier. 

For those of us who have spent decades witnessing the growth of Pan-American trade, such milestones represent the soft diplomacy that allowed industries like tropical produce to flourish, building the trust necessary for the complex logistics chains we manage today.

The Gildred family’s commitment to the region extended far beyond the cockpit, eventually leading to the founding of the Institute of the Americas. 

Theodore Gildred’s vision was always centered on fostering long-term development and regional integration—principles that remain vital to the success of the international fruit trade.