Warbird Information Exchange

It seems as though it has been about 5 or so years since the implementation of the campaign to brand all of the CAF aircraft with the CAF winged logo. Does anyone have any data regarding the resulting brand awareness of this campaign? Has there been an increase in CAF brand awareness? If so, has there been a marked increase in membership, revenue, or other benefits that can be attributed to the branded aircraft?

thanks,
Ryan

I'm just one guy, and really always supported the CAF (couldn't afford membership, but visited at airshows and contributed) until they put that godawful logo on all their historic aircraft. No more, to me they look like an ugly tatoo on a beautiful woman, a complete turn off. If it has had any effect I hope it is that a lot of people say "commemorative air force? aren't they the ones who paint that ugly tramp stamp all over their planes?"
Tom Bowers

Having been the CFO for the Southern California Wing for two years I think I can facilitate an answer to your conundrum.

The fact of the matter is that the CAF's membership is declining at the same time that operational costs for the airframes is rising. There seemed to be a quasi-handoff of the airframes from one generation to the next going on at the SoCal wing in the last decade with the younger generation outnumbered by about 10 to 1 (or so). If the CAF is to continue operations of million dollar airframes it must attract new membership. One of Mr. Brown's answers to that is branding the museum nationwide. There have been steps already taken such as changing the brand to "commemorative" to be more inclusive of those northerners that might find the "confederate" term offensive. By raising awareness the CAF is growing it's members and ensuring long-term growth / solvency of the organization.

Best,

Jason

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Vosburgh Airfield, P.O. Box 207, New Cuyama, CA 93254
jason.vosburgh@vosburghairfield.com

www.airnav.com/airport/5CN4

www.VosburghAirfield.com

They lost about 80 members when they deep-sixed the CAF Great Lakes Wing. They also killed off an Ohio Wing that flew a twin trainer. You can't keep members if you dissolve wings.

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

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Hang The Expense

Those of us old enough to remember the old days might think that at least the "new" logo is better than their old badges and very bad paint schemes seen in the 760s-80s (model collectors might want to check out some of the old Monogram kits with those markings).
I can't say I blame them for putting their logo on their aircraft. Breitling did it when they sponsored ac in Europe and Red Bull does it now.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

And why did they “deep-six” the wing? I think folks deserve a little more information don't you? I heard that there was a general lack of support for the wing. Flying airplanes is very expensive as we all know. Is this the wing that couldn't come up with the necessary funds to build a hangar or was there some other issues? As a long time CAF member I sure would like to know the full story. I would hate to think that the CAF would just dump a wing for no good reason.

Dan

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CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/

I am sure the hangar thing was a big part of it. Our planes, Ju-52 and C-47, were hangared for years at Gary Airport. Then we had to leave GYY because they were not supportive. Went to Lansing IGQ. We were slammed in the local press because of the Ju-52, our "Nazi Tribute" plane. Plus, we were hamstrung by the Ju-52--we could not give rides in it. So it was a drain. HQ took the Ju-52, but the damage was done. Then we lost an engine on the C-47. Put us down for half a season and into the next. Then there was an issue with the engine we bought. Then the gasoline prices went up and airshow cancellations began happening. A lot things to point to. The guys who showed up worked their asses off. And we dropped paratroopers almost everywhere we went and gave rides all the time. Wasn't enough for HQ. I received a letter a couple years back asking me to re-up. No thanks.

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

That just sucks.Theres no other way to put it.The media sure didn't help things.Maybe if you told them that a lot of Nazis were homo then they would have been all for it.seems to be the way things work in the media these days.I'm only half kidding btw.

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Hang The Expense

Thanks for the background Tony I do feel your pain it hasn't always been roses at SoCal either. We have always had to bust our butts to try to find the money and so far we have always found a way. We are very lucky in many ways. The airport likes us and we are in a great location tourist wise. We have great press relations and community support as well as a large talent pool. We are blessed. You folks had a lot of bad things come down on you and it broke you. Sometimes no matter how hard you try Lady Luck turns her back on you. It can happen to any of us that is why I never take any of this for granted. I know that after so many years we could loose everything in a heart beat. I know you had some good times with the wing and they can't take that away. You got to do something a lot of folks only dream about.

Dan

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Check out our new website.
CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/

I bet they lost more members when they switched from Confederate to Commemorative; than they gained. A lot of us felt it was a slap in the face. Most northerners could care less about the name. The truth is it is not an issue for most of America.

You don't really see people boycotting the Confederate Forces during re-enactments.

It really left the impression that the organization had changed direction from Aircraft Enthusiast to Businessmen who really didn't care about Aircraft. Everything became "product"; and generic.

That may not be true, but it is the perception. And in this world perception is reality.

Many people similarly feel the same about the EAA and AirVenture. Too many corporate sponsors tend to give long-time supporters that idea. Warranted or not. But in this PC world, you can see how the name might have been seen as an issue for some.

About the name change...Imagine you're the CEO of XYZ corp. You'd like to support the CAF, then your PR, HR, or social actions staff member comes up and says that "Confederate" won't play well in some quarters. The last thing you want is to kick that hornet's nest and appear racially/culturally insensitive (just ask Paula Dean). The last thing you want is a phone call from Jesse Jackson.

Now, no one can have any heartburn, especially since The Greatest Generation, and Band of Brothers, supporting WWII causes/vets and history is "in".
Really, the name change is no harm, no foul.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Were you a member then? Are you a member now?

You are probably right. I don't think you see people boycotting the Confederates during re-enactments. But you also don't see re-enactments trying to raise money from all over the country. If they did, the name might be a hindrance.

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Ben

The CAF still has an issue with reaching a younger generation. IIRC, the average age of a CAF member is now 69 or 70 years old, and that number is not getting lower. I know when I showed up at one of the workdays on the TBM, someone indicated a bit of surprise that I was not a septuagenerian.

I think the CAF's issue is what is occurring across aviation in general. One of the biggest obstacles, IMHO, to more people being involved in aviation is the prevailing wisdom that you need to have incredibly large sums of money to be able to fly. I'm not saying that owning a plane is cheap, but it takes a lot less money than most people realize. I was shocked when I started looking into prices of used GA aircraft on Barnstormers. My first thought was "Where's the catch? There's no way you can get into plane for under 20k", but, indeed you can. For the same price of a new Harley Davidson or a boat, you can get into a used airplane. That was an eye opener, enough to make me ready to "bite the bullet" and work to get my ticket. If more people realized that aviation was more accessible, more would be interested.

The general decline for the flying population has a few facets to explore. The average age of GA pilots in this country gets older every year, while the amount of runways available to GA pilots gets fewer. Why?

Let's chat about my home state: California, or more specifically Southern California.

Price: How much is a BMW 525i compared with a used C-152? There are BMW's everywhere out here. Not price.

Access: SoCal has flight schools within an hour or so of driving for just about everybody. Not access.

What then?

Demographics: The large immigrant population(s) here. Sending remittances back home to help their families and labor to make a better life for themselves is higher on the priority list than say learning to fly an airplane. (Van Nuys is a good example)

Job Prospects: In the 1970's you could get lifetime employment, benefits and training to be an airline pilot. What about today? Pay for your own four year degree, flight training / certificates, and then live in poverty. Do you like the taste of dogfood? I'd rather buy my own plane with a higher paying career and eat steak.

So we fly for fun? Which leads us to...

Risk Aversion: The younger folks in this country by and large are more risk averse than their Grandparents. The older gentlemen at the CAF SoCal showed me this time and time again. Flying (especially the older airframes) has risk. When you put your posterior in one you accept the risk and mitigate it to the best or your ability.

These are general statements of course and do not speak for everybody, but so are statistics.

Best,

Jason