CMF Flight Operations

[daveymac82c]

Hi All,

I've recently become the lead training pilot in the Canadian Museum of Flight's Flight Ops group. Currently our airworthy airplanes are our Fleet Canuck and our 7/8th SE5a replica (We ceased all major flight operations during COVID and only kept these two on for currency and Remembrance Day operations).

I've brought on some new pilots to help bolster the museum pilot group seeing as how several of our pilots are at the age where they are hanging up their wings. Next summer we hope to have a larger fleet of airplanes available for revenue rides and airshows. We also want to have the maximum number of RCAF airplanes available for 2024 when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the RCAF.

At our maximum, we can have the following operational. We will likely not bring them all back online, but we're going to try to put together a decent operation.

1.) Fleet Canuck
2.) SE5a (7/8 replica)
3.) Sopwith Pup (100% replica) #1 - Lycoming 0-235
4.) Sopwith Pup (100% replica) #2 - Lycoming 0-235
5.) Jurca P-51B Mustang (2/3 replica) Lycoming 0-540
6.) Piper J-3 Cub
7.) 1930 Waco INF
8.) 1937 Waco AQC-6
9.) Fleet Finch
10.) DH82C Tiger Moth
11.) North American Harvard Mk II

I'm a fairly well seasoned flight instructor and tailwheel instructor, but would welcome any and all advice you guys and gals might have for me as I teach people how to safely and properly operate these beautiful old machines. I'd love to hear about quirks and issues any of the above may possess.

Obviously we've got a very good brain trust at the CMF, but I figured that the more input the better, right?

Cheers,

David McIntosh
Abbotsford, BC

[F3A-1]

Start them in the Cub, and don't be affraid to "wash them out"!

[Michel Lemieux]

The funny thing Mr David........Are you the librarian of the museum?

If so....we finally meet the other day when I was passing by right after the big snow storm at the end of November.

If so...I found the rest of the the Reynold's collection you told me about.....

Let me just say how much of an outstanding visit that was!!!!!! Both to your museum and the Reynold's museum.....

I'll do a post on my visit.

[marine air]

I would start by having a ground school or something informal to discuss the prospects of flying these birds again. Next ask if they have medicals, what class of medical or any changes in their health . It's possible one or two should "hang it up." When you get ready to fly, probably start off with a flight in the Cub. Before you fly, look at their logbook. A real student taking a real lesson brings their logbook. Have they been flying and keeping current? For example, I flew and performed water landings in the LA04 last week but haven't flown tailwheel in several months. It's winter so you could invite them out to do some "groundschool" which is really letting them sit in the cockpit and think about the upcoming year. See is they remember the memory items. (V speeds, cautionary and emergency procedures.) This sounds a little "gung ho" but it gets them thinking a lot about flying the airplane.
They need to put a little effort into being sharp before they jump into one of the classic airplanes. A lot of museum pilots do no flying on their own outside of the opportunity that a museum or owner provides them. I flew last week with a 65 year old CFI, CFII that really has gotten too old to fly anymore. He's had eight surgeries, and cancer between the age of 60 and 65. Regardless of whether it's tailwheel or seaplane he reverts back to flying it like it's a C-172. He really hasn't been able to pass a BFR since he was 60. So, can they still do "it" whatever the criteria may be or are they at an elevated risk of tearing up your assets? Flying someone else's airplane is a privilege and an honor. It should be met with preparation and a professional attitude, IMHO.

[Dave Hadfield]

In terms of revenue, the Waco AQC-6 is your best bet -- 3 passengers per flight, and the Jacobs is a supportable engine.

The Finch has a much more friendly stall than the Tiger.

The Canuck is an excellent checkout and training airplane.

With Volunteers, pilots or otherwise, you want competent people -- it's the most important thing -- who are cheerful and reliable.

Happy to chat with you about it anytime.

Dave

[daveymac82c]

Oh Goodness,

I never got a notification for all of your responses. Darn it! Apologies for the late reply.

Michel, It's unlikely that it was me who you spoke with at the Canadian Museum of Flight. Most of the volunteering I do there is done from home. Plus, I'm sure I would have remembered you. I'm glad you enjoyed our museum as well as the Reynolds museum. There's so much neat stuff tucked away all over the place!

Marine Air, our J-3 Cub is a restoration project and will likely be completed within the next 12 months. Our Fleet Canuck is already flying and is definitely a great training platform. When the J-3 comes online it will definitely be a good machine for training the blind-over-the-nose taxiing/landing.

The pilots I'm bringing onboard are all younger (50 and younger) but still come with considerable tailwheel time, which is crucial. They all have their own taildraggers or regular access to taildraggers so their skills are fresh and easy for them all to maintain. There will definitely be considerable ground schools and training for these pilots, and after the check out on the Fleet Canuck they'll be trained on either the SE5a or Sopwith Pup. Both of those are homebuilt replicas and well suited for new pilots to become familiar on draggy biplanes.

Dave, thank you for your offer to chat. I am probably going to take you up on that. I've spoken with Cam Harrod regarding operating the Finch, and he's been such an incredible reference and such a big help already. I've also chatted with Mark Odegard at the CATP museum in Brandon, MB regarding the warbird exemption and their soon to be flying Fleet Finch. My plan is to reach out to as many Finch operators as possible to get the maximum amount of input in order to build a good checklist and set of SOP's. I see VWoC has a Finch. Would you be able to let me have a look at your checklists and pilot notes?

As I mention below, our Waco AQC requires some work before we can start flying her again.


Here's an an overall update.

I've officially become the CMF's training pilot, and I'm the project lead for getting our Fleet Finch flying this year, and I've been designated it's primary pilot.

It is our plan to have 4 airplanes flying for the 2023 airshow season:

1.) Fleet Canuck
2.) SE5a (replica)
3.) Fleet Finch
4.) Sopwith Pup (replica)

There is the possibility this may change, but that's the rough plan.

We may bring online our Waco INF, or our second Sopwith Pup.

Our Harvard needs to undergo a deep annual and have it's 10 year prop inspection. We're undertaking a large fundraising campaign because since it's been sitting for 6 or 7 years (outdoors), we want to replace all the hoses, replace some fittings, etc, etc.

The Waco AQC also requires it's 10 year prop inspection, and will it be grounded until we can secure the funding to get that done.

Cheers,

David McIntosh

[Dave Hadfield]

David, I'll send a PM.