Carolinas Aviation Museum is looosing its' home

[Cubs2jets]

This has NOT been a secret. It was announced in the Museum's newsletter and the local newspaper in January. Apparently the vacate by date is September 30.

The current facility, originally built by Wachovia Bank (bought out by Wells Fargo) is now owned by the airport authority. Occupancy by the museum has ALWAYS been temporary in nature - per the FAA "until a legitimate aviation entity" came along. Honeywell is moving their headquarters to Charlotte and the facility will become the flight department's new home.

The museum moved to the facility in 2010 as part of airport upgrades impacted the original hangar and location (NE corner of the airport). The museum has had nine (9) years to raise money for construction of a new facility, but hasn't done so.

It is my understanding that the immediate area near the original hangar is being prepared for outside storage of all the exhibit aircraft, including the remains of USAir 1549 of "Miracle on the Hudson" fame, the Piedmont Airlines DC-3 and numerous other aircraft currently on display in the museum. Joining the exhibit aircraft will be the Eastern Air Lines DC-7B that was abandoned at the museum after an engine failure on departure from CLT, the original Gulfstream G-II and a C-130 that participated in the failed Iran hostage rescue.

The museum has an extensive collection of "stuff" both on the display floor and the collection from the museum library. I do not know where this collection will be stored (hopefully a secure dry space). The museum also has additional collections in another building on the south side of the airport euphemistically called the "Bat Cave".

At this point, the Museum says it is NOT closing, but with no facility, no money to build a facility and no place to build a facility, they will not be able to conduct operations. I do not know who will shoulder the costs of renting storage space for the more delicate portions of the collections. With no facility to attract visitors and / or hold fundraising functions, in my opinion the future of the museum is very much in doubt.

C2j

Last edited by Cubs2jets on Sun Jun 02, 2019 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[ZRX61]

Are you in the area?

[Pat Carry]

This is sad. I hope the collection can find a good home someplace.

[Matt_in_NC]

darn! I need to pay these guys a visit before they shut the doors. They're about 2 1/2 hours from me over in CLT, and I've always been working when in that area so never had the chance to pay them a visit. I know they have an A-26 and a bunch of pointy-nosed jobs. I hope they can find either a new location or a solid home for their aircraft!

Side note; about a year back, I was surprised to see a decent little aviation museum in Hickory, NC! http://www.hickoryaviationmuseum.org/ A lot of their aircraft look like they need TLC, but the volunteers are great, and it's well worth a visit. Everything there is outside, including one of the last EA6-Bs in the Navy inventory. It was really interesting to hear how they fly an airplane to a museum and then de-mil it on-location.

[APG85]

This is an important collection with a lot of backing. I'm sure something will be worked out for them...

[Cubs2jets]

Heard on the news this morning that July 17th will be the last day the Carolinas Aviation Museum will be open to the public.

The report also said the museum would reopen in a "new, modern facility" in 2022 - but that the site of the facility was yet to be determined.

No money raised + No site for building = uncertain future (IMHO).

Go quickly if you want to see what little is on display.

C2j

[JohnB]

I wonder what they can get for a slightly soggy Airbus?

[Chris Brame]

Just wish some deep-pocketed outfit could rescue the DC-7, after the massive amount of work that was done to put it back in the air.

[Cubs2jets]

Just wish some deep-pocketed outfit could rescue the DC-7, after the massive amount of work that was done to put it back in the air.

Deep pockets for sure. She needs TWO Wright 3350's to get up and going (not to mention serious fuel leak repairs). Sitting outside for 7 years with little or no attention hasn't helped either.

C2j

[RV8er]

“Losing”.

[WIXerGreg]

Does Historical Flight Foundation no longer exist then? I see their social media accounts have been dormant since 2015. Who owns the airplane now?

I'm glad I was able to see it fly at Thunder 2010. I wish I would have flown on it when I had the chance.

[Mark Sampson]

One wonders where the museum's trustees have been while this situation come to pass. After all, fund-raising is a large part of their mission.... even if there's an active development office.

[Cubs2jets]

“Losing”.

[quemerford]

"Its"...

[APG85]

The museum is well funded and supported by the local community, city and state. I'm sure it will work out in the end...for the better...