FIFI Update
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:06 pm
Just a quick update for those of you interested in FIFI's status...
Last Thursday, we planned a test flight. However, while doing engine runs prior to the flight, #1 engine nose case oil pressure became insufficient. We decided to postpone the flight until our warranty engine from Precision showed up. They have had it for over a year now and plan to have it finished by the end of this month. If that happens, we should be in the air by early/mid April and back on tour as soon as we get our flight crews requalified in the airplane.
There have been some rumors about various items about FIFI lately, and I'd like to clear some of them up. Although I wish it were true, FIFI does not have a new paint job. She has just been touched up on the areas where structural work has been accomplished. We are very much wanting to get her stripped down and painted for real soon.
And although my crew and I have worked just over 15,000 hours on her in 18 months time, FIFI did NOT undergo a restoration. We have done everything in our power to improve the safety and appearance of our B-29, but there will always be more to do. When visiting FIFI on tour (and I invite all of you to do so), please understand that we could only accomplish so much with the time and money we had available, but hope that you'll enjoy seeing on tour once again.
Fly Safe,
Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force
Last Thursday, we planned a test flight. However, while doing engine runs prior to the flight, #1 engine nose case oil pressure became insufficient. We decided to postpone the flight until our warranty engine from Precision showed up. They have had it for over a year now and plan to have it finished by the end of this month. If that happens, we should be in the air by early/mid April and back on tour as soon as we get our flight crews requalified in the airplane.
There have been some rumors about various items about FIFI lately, and I'd like to clear some of them up. Although I wish it were true, FIFI does not have a new paint job. She has just been touched up on the areas where structural work has been accomplished. We are very much wanting to get her stripped down and painted for real soon.
And although my crew and I have worked just over 15,000 hours on her in 18 months time, FIFI did NOT undergo a restoration. We have done everything in our power to improve the safety and appearance of our B-29, but there will always be more to do. When visiting FIFI on tour (and I invite all of you to do so), please understand that we could only accomplish so much with the time and money we had available, but hope that you'll enjoy seeing on tour once again.
Fly Safe,
Gary Austin
Crew Chief, B-29/B-24 Squadron
Commemorative Air Force
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:31 pm
Gary, you guys are to be commended. You have sure done a lot with what you had to work with. A lot of folks can't begin understand what a maintenance team is faced with when you start digging around these old planes. Keep up the good work, & I hope to se FIFI come through Atlanta again one of these days. 
Robbie
Robbie
Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:57 pm
With so many B-17s and a B-24 and Lancaster selling rides, do you do the same with the B-29? If not, why? Or rather, which part of legislation prohibits it? That would help out with paying the bills, right?
T J
T J
Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:06 pm
I think they are going to start this year. And if I remember correctly it will cost $1,500 for a forward seat and $1250 for a aft seat. Alan can probably say more about this.
Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:46 pm
Yes, we will definitely be giving the selling of rides in the B-29 a try this year. The prices mentioned above are correct...at least for now. We are simply trying to find a happy medium with what the general public can (and will) afford, and what we can afford. Currently, we estimate that FIFI will cost us approximately $8,500.00 per hour to fly. That is why we've set the prices where they currently are. We will also be required to have eight paying passengers for each flight in order to warrant taking her up.
Gary Austin
Gary Austin
B-29
Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:51 pm
Yep! Those prices are about right, from the last quote I was given.... They will have five or six seats in the front and five in the rear.... not counting all the necessary crew members..... once in a lifetime chance.... My bonus bucks come in around Sept.... just in time for Airsho' at Midland 
Alan
Hey Gary, Stephanie says hello, and thanks for letting her climb up into Fifi's cockpit after Winter Conference was over.... and Amos looks pretty good on tape. Alan
Alan
Hey Gary, Stephanie says hello, and thanks for letting her climb up into Fifi's cockpit after Winter Conference was over.... and Amos looks pretty good on tape. Alan