Fighter Factory

[Mike]

Isn't there still a moratorium on the FAA issuing new exemptions for ride programmes?

[Chappie]

It is interesting that other organizations offer ride programs that generate significant revenue. Keeping a small group insured for flying with a ride program would probably generate funds to keep many in the air. Even if you alternated year by year PBY this year, B-25 next year, same with P-40 and P-51, attend some local shows to sell rides. And this way you can have flying days like POF and others do. The ability to have an annual airshow also brings in a big gate to fund things.
I think there is more to this story than has played out.

Great point, Rich. Nothing worse than grounded warbirds. The best maintenance a warbird can have is flight.


Chappie

[JFS61]

Didn't take us long to get back to a world with no flying Mosquitoes, did it?

[ZRX61]

Isn't there still a moratorium on the FAA issuing new exemptions for ride programmes?

*cough* orientation rides *cough*

[C VEICH]

Didn't take us long to get back to a world with no flying Mosquitoes, did it?

Sure didn't. On a positive note though I just received some pictures of Bob Jens' Mossie being restored in Canada and it is getting very close. Even has some camo paint on it. Of course rumours are that it will only be flown once and then parked. Let's hope not. I'm trying to get permission to post the pictures.

[lmritger]

Y'know, being as how this is an aircraft-centric board and we're all airplane nuts, I get that people will have strong opinions about the planes out at the MAM. But I have to say, there's a fairly strong selfish streak running through a lot of these comments taking shots at Jerry and the museum for parking their fleet for the time being, especially with regards to the Mossie. He just spent a decade and millions of his OWN dollars having this dream realized, and now circumstances dictate that she either be parked or sold... do you think that maybe, that might just be more than a little disappointing to the man? No matter how disappointed you might be that this decision has to be taken, maybe you could take five seconds and think about how Jerry and Elaine feel- or Ray Fowler or Mike Spalding or TK or Jon or all the other fantastic pilots and crew out at the Museum. You think THEY'RE thrilled about it? Here's a hint: No, they are not. The field was assuredly NOT full of smiles on Saturday as Chuckie taxied out and took off into a miserable drizzle- the weather fit the mood.

And for what it's worth, my friend Terry Friar was back out at the museum yesterday, and got more details from one of the docents; that 250K insurance figure was not annual, that was just for six months. It looks like the plan is to let the dust settle over the next six months then see where things are at; there's a strong desire to bring the Biplanes and Triplanes show back for 2014 as it's the 100th anniversary of WWI, so just like I said 10 pages back at the beginning of this thread, give them a little time and space to work out details of how to keep the Museum moving forward. I know that sort of tactful, cautionary approach doesn't drive post counts or allow people to make wildly unfounded statements, but for the sake of the folks who own and run this amazing facility, I would hope that you'll all consider it.

Lynn

[Mudge]

Y'know, being as how this is an aircraft-centric board and we're all airplane nuts, I get that people will have strong opinions about the planes out at the MAM. But I have to say, there's a fairly strong selfish streak running through a lot of these comments taking shots at Jerry and the museum for parking their fleet for the time being, especially with regards to the Mossie. He just spent a decade and millions of his OWN dollars having this dream realized, and now circumstances dictate that she either be parked or sold... do you think that maybe, that might just be more than a little disappointing to the man? No matter how disappointed you might be that this decision has to be taken, maybe you could take five seconds and think about how Jerry and Elaine feel- or Ray Fowler or Mike Spalding or TK or Jon or all the other fantastic pilots and crew out at the Museum. You think THEY'RE thrilled about it? Here's a hint: No, they are not. The field was assuredly NOT full of smiles on Saturday as Chuckie taxied out and took off into a miserable drizzle- the weather fit the mood.

And for what it's worth, my friend Terry Friar was back out at the museum yesterday, and got more details from one of the docents; that 250K insurance figure was not annual, that was just for six months. It looks like the plan is to let the dust settle over the next six months then see where things are at; there's a strong desire to bring the Biplanes and Triplanes show back for 2014 as it's the 100th anniversary of WWI, so just like I said 10 pages back at the beginning of this thread, give them a little time and space to work out details of how to keep the Museum moving forward. I know that sort of tactful, cautionary approach doesn't drive post counts or allow people to make wildly unfounded statements, but for the sake of the folks who own and run this amazing facility, I would hope that you'll all consider it.

Lynn

What he said!

Mudge the empathetic

[Dave Homewood]

Well said Lynn.

[AFWhite]

Well said Lynn.

+1

[k5083]

Selfish? I'm not selfish with respect to warbirds at all. All I want is for all the planes to be safely grounded right after I have seen them fly, and protected indoors right after I have seen and photographed them outdoors. What's selfish about that?

More seriously, I'm going defend our selfish right to being mainly interested in the planes. Of course I approve of what warbird collectors do, but they're only doing exactly what I would do if I had the money, and I never respect anyone just for having money. And of course I sympathize with anyone having tough times, but I don't know any details, including whether Mr. and Mrs. Yagen even at rock bottom will still not be a lot better off than almost anyone I know, and meanwhile having gotten to play with a lot of nice toys. The employees, yes, I feel for, having invested in an organization for a long time and now being turfed out; this has happened to me and happens regularly to people I actually know, who get the lion's share of my feelings, but I can relate. So yes: big heartfelt good wishes go out to all the folks negatively affected by this. Apologies if it looks callous that we're so focused on wonderful planes, rather than some strangers going through a plight that, alas, is all too common nowadays. But still, it's kind of reasonable.

August

Y'know, being as how this is an aircraft-centric board and we're all airplane nuts, I get that people will have strong opinions about the planes out at the MAM. But I have to say, there's a fairly strong selfish streak running through a lot of these comments taking shots at Jerry and the museum for parking their fleet for the time being, especially with regards to the Mossie. He just spent a decade and millions of his OWN dollars having this dream realized, and now circumstances dictate that she either be parked or sold... do you think that maybe, that might just be more than a little disappointing to the man? No matter how disappointed you might be that this decision has to be taken, maybe you could take five seconds and think about how Jerry and Elaine feel- or Ray Fowler or Mike Spalding or TK or Jon or all the other fantastic pilots and crew out at the Museum. You think THEY'RE thrilled about it? Here's a hint: No, they are not. The field was assuredly NOT full of smiles on Saturday as Chuckie taxied out and took off into a miserable drizzle- the weather fit the mood.

And for what it's worth, my friend Terry Friar was back out at the museum yesterday, and got more details from one of the docents; that 250K insurance figure was not annual, that was just for six months. It looks like the plan is to let the dust settle over the next six months then see where things are at; there's a strong desire to bring the Biplanes and Triplanes show back for 2014 as it's the 100th anniversary of WWI, so just like I said 10 pages back at the beginning of this thread, give them a little time and space to work out details of how to keep the Museum moving forward. I know that sort of tactful, cautionary approach doesn't drive post counts or allow people to make wildly unfounded statements, but for the sake of the folks who own and run this amazing facility, I would hope that you'll all consider it.

Lynn

[ZRX61]

This popped up this morning:

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/06/va-beac ... e-fine-now

It would appear they are blaming this on the sequestration BS.

The money that was provided to buy and refurbish the planes came from the success of his colleges," Hunt said. "But the way we see things are at the moment, we see frustration with government cutbacks.

[Scott Rose]

I have edited part of this thread, deleting the negative messages and the associated responses. Since this is an important topic to this community I will unlock it and return allow the conversation to continue. However, I will be monitoring this thread and will edit/delete comments without warning. We have already had to ban one person this week, lets leave it at that shall we?

Be civil, be polite, be nice.... or be elsewhere.

[old iron]

Thanks Scott.

[T J Johansen]

I'm always saddened when I see hangars full of formerly airworthy aircraft parked lifeless in rows. Evergreen, Tillamook, Kalamazoo, Yanks, now MAM too, it seems.

While I agree that there is no life in a hangar full of static Aircraft, I would have to argue that Yanks hangar was never full of airworthy aircraft though. Nicely restored fighters, but nowhere near airworthy.

T J

[Mike]

I'm always saddened when I see hangars full of formerly airworthy aircraft parked lifeless in rows. Evergreen, Tillamook, Kalamazoo, Yanks, now MAM too, it seems.

While I agree that there is no life in a hangar full of static Aircraft, I would have to argue that Yanks hangar was never full of airworthy aircraft though. Nicely restored fighters, but nowhere near airworthy.

T J

Every one is airworthy. There are numerous signs dotted around the museum proclaiming that fact!

In actual fact, quite a few of the antiques came from other collections where they were previously flown. And then of course there are the likes of the PB4Y-2 and Connie, which flew in and were parked.