WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Volunteers have achieved another major milestone in their efforts to restore a World War II bomber.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the nonprofit group Doc’s Friends announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has given the B-29 Superfortress, known as “Doc,” an airworthiness certificate. The announcement came exactly 16 years after the bomber’s parts were transported to Wichita.

#B29Doc first flight imminent! Still pinching ourselves. Click here to see next steps https://t.co/1UCGw2mBKL pic.twitter.com/DimVimTiKf

— Doc’s Friends (@DocsFriends) May 20, 2016

 

Several dozen Doc’s Friends members and other supporters attended a ceremony Friday at the World War II aircraft’s hangar at Air Capital Flight Line.

The certificate was one of the last obstacles to getting the plane off the ground. The nonprofit will now seek permission to operate the plane at McConnell Air Force Base.

Jeff Turner, board chairman of Doc’s Friends, says the plane could fly in the next few weeks.