B-29 Doc’s new Wichita home

[bdk]

https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2017/09/22/boeing-spirit-aerosystems-to-help-build-b-29-doc-s.html

The Boeing Co. and Spirit AeroSystems Inc. have partnered again, this time with financial support that will make the pair primary contributors to construction of a new hangar and education center for the locally restored B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc.”

Executives from each company, along with representatives and volunteers from the group behind the plane's restoration, Doc’s Friends, joined local officials and other guests Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the 32,000-square-foot facility on the campus of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.

It was also announced at the event that the city’s largest employer, Spirit (NYSE: SPR) and its largest customer, Boeing (NYSE: BA) are providing funding that make them the major corporate sponsors of the estimated $6.5 million project.

Plans for the new hangar and learning center were first announced in July, a year after the aircraft flew for the first time after a decades-long restoration process and more than 350,000 volunteer hours.

Representing Boeing at the event on Friday was Leanne Caret, a former Wichitan and current CEO of the company’s defense division.

Caret told the assembled crowd of around 100 people that it was great to be back home — particularly because it was to celebrate Doc’s mission going forward.

“ Boeing is proud to honor the past and inspire the future with our sponsorship of this permanent home for Doc,” she said. “Doc is a piece of living history, not just a machine. (This facility) is so much more than a museum, we’re building a home for inspiration.”

Also recognized for giving to the project was Wichita City Council member Pete Meitzner, who helped direct some of the remaining money from the proceeds of the sale of the downtown Hyatt toward the program.

Jeff Turner, former Spirit CEO and chairman of Doc’s Friends, said that of the roughly $5 million raised thus far that more than half has come from the combination of the city, Boeing and Spirit.

Boeing ’s specific gift wasn’t detailed and a company spokesperson declined to provide the total.

Doc’s Friends says in a press release from the event that Spirit’s cash gift was more than $250,000.

And Spirit’s contribution throughout the restoration process has included previous financial and fundraising support, as well as volunteer resources and even some parts fabrication, that in all totals more than $1 million given to the Doc program.

“It’s important for future generations to learn about Wichita’s aviation history and unique place as the Air Capital of the World,” said Spirit CEO Tom Gentile. “Our employees, and hundreds of others who worked in Wichita’s aviation industry, have spent hundreds of thousands of hours restoring this majestic warbird. Their work and dedication deserves a home and a place to be showcased.”

While fundraising for the project will continue, major construction on the facility will begin in October and is expected to last between eight and 10 months.

Hutton Construction Corp. is the general contractor for the project. SJCF Architecture is designing the building.

“A year from now we will all be back here inside the building,” Turner said. “And the champaign will probably be flowing.”

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Also:

Groundbreaking for B-29 Doc’s new home Friday

http://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article174671446.html

[phil65]

Doesn't sound like they're planning on flying it much...

Phil

[CAPFlyer]

I think you're reading between non-existent lines there man. The plane will be home for 4-5 months every year during Winter and Early Spring for maintenance during the "off season." As there is no plans (as of now) to tour the airplane between airshow appearances, it will also need somewhere to stay during the week and between shows. As such, this is a great plan to have a location that can be a year-round attraction even when the plane isn't home and when it is, showcases it in the best possible conditions and lets people watch work being done on the airplane from a perspective most don't get to see. Most warbirds fly MAYBE 100 hours a year, especially the large ones. That's 14 per month during the flying season. You eat ~10 of that just going to 2 airshows a month during that period (3 hours to/from, 2 hours flying during). Figure the other 4 for training or giving rides at home, and you've hit that number with no problem. You can hit 200 hours of flying without trying to hard if you've got a "high demand" aircraft that is appearing at 2 airshows a month (10 hours), flying 3 flights each Saturday and Sunday between (12 hours), and doing media flights on the Fridays before the two air shows (4 hours), giving a total of 26 hours of "revenue" operation and 2-3 hours of training/miscellaneous flying to make your 28-30 hours a month for 200 hours in the year.

[OD/NG]

I think you're reading between non-existent lines there man. The plane will be home for 4-5 months every year during Winter and Early Spring for maintenance during the "off season." As there is no plans (as of now) to tour the airplane between airshow appearances, it will also need somewhere to stay during the week and between shows. As such, this is a great plan to have a location that can be a year-round attraction even when the plane isn't home and when it is, showcases it in the best possible conditions and lets people watch work being done on the airplane from a perspective most don't get to see. Most warbirds fly MAYBE 100 hours a year, especially the large ones. That's 14 per month during the flying season. You eat ~10 of that just going to 2 airshows a month during that period (3 hours to/from, 2 hours flying during). Figure the other 4 for training or giving rides at home, and you've hit that number with no problem. You can hit 200 hours of flying without trying to hard if you've got a "high demand" aircraft that is appearing at 2 airshows a month (10 hours), flying 3 flights each Saturday and Sunday between (12 hours), and doing media flights on the Fridays before the two air shows (4 hours), giving a total of 26 hours of "revenue" operation and 2-3 hours of training/miscellaneous flying to make your 28-30 hours a month for 200 hours in the year.

Well stated, and I agree completely. I do think they plan on flying Doc a lot, it's just that they need a "home", like stated above. I also do know that they plan on selling passenger rides on it as soon as they get FAA approval, but that will take some time. My guess is that they will start out slow, with a limited amount of airshows/events/appearances, and as they get their crews trained, proficient and more experience, they will probably accomplish more engagements. It wouldn't surprise me if, after all of that happens, that they spend more time on the road, and perhaps do limited "mini-tours" to compete with the CAF and Collings foundation. As both of those groups can attest, there is literally millions of dollars to be made when a "one-of-a-kind" aircraft such as the B-29 is put on a regular tour.

BTW, I have no "inside" info and I'm not affiliated with Doc. This is all just pure speculation on my part. Of course, I could be competely wrong as well. Time will tell.