Warbird Information Exchange

Hi everyone,

I've been looking at a new project over the past few months to add to WIX and the Warbirds Resource Group. I'd like to create a practical Business & Services Directory, similar to what you'd see in an Online Yellow Pages. After reading posts in the past year asking about "who to see for this or that part" and getting emails asking for recommendations on a fabrication shop or engine OH shop, I figred this would make sense.

Additionally I wanted to create classified system offshoot as a central space for employment opportunities, for sale and wanted ads, and the like.

I'd like to ask folks here to comment on a few areas:

1) What categories and breakdowns do you think should be there... like Engines as a main category, with breakdowns for overhaul shops, sales, accessories (with perhaps further breakdowns in mags, carburators, prop governors, etc)

2) Do you think there should be a recommendation system in place... for reviews and the like? Or do you think this would be abused more than useful.

3) Is there anyone here that would be interested in volunteering to be admins for such a project, to review and approve listings and to run occasional maintenance (like checking links to make sure they still work, etc).

4) One area I was considering adding would be listings of NDPRs, Ferry Pilots, and instructors with specific type training qualifications for the reference of new owners and pilots... anyone have any thoughts to this?

5) The product I have been looking at is Business Directory Pro at: http://www.cavescripts.com/business_directory_pro.php Does anyone have any other recommendations to a script or program that may work better?

6) Anyone interested in sponsoring the first year of the directory? If we use the above product, it's a $99 buy. I'd be happy to give a web-banner ad at the top of the pages to whoever would like to be an early adopter. Contact me via PM or email if you are interested in this.

Here is my running draft of the categories and subcategories I am considering. As you comment here, I will edit it.

- Maintenance & Restoration Shops
--- Large Aircraft
--- Medium Aircraft
--- Light Aircraft
--- Turbine Aircraft
--- Rotary Wing

- Engines & Accessory Shops
--- Engines (Radial)
--- Engines (Inline)
--- Engines (Warbird Turbine)
--- Engines (Small)
--- Carburators
--- Magnetos
--- Generator / Alternators
--- Hydraulic System Components
--- Pneumatic System Components
--- Electrical System Components
--- Oil System Components
--- Propellers
--- Prop Governors
--- Helicopter Components

- Parts & Accessories
--- Instruments
--- Radios / Avionics (modern)
--- Radios / Avionics (period)
--- NOS / Original Equipment
--- Tires / Tubes
--- Armament
--- Glass / Lexan / Plexiglas
--- Harness Systems
--- Misc.

- Salvage Facilities
--- General Aviation / Light Aircraft
--- Heavy Aircraft (civilian)
--- Military / DRMO

- Documentation / Research
--- Title Search
--- Military Records Search
--- Blueprints / Microfilm/fiche
--- Manuals and Tech Publications

- Aircraft Sales
--- Sales Brokers / Agents
--- Buyer Agents
--- Aircraft Appraisers
--- Financing & Loans

- Aircraft Insurance

- Warbird Pilot Supplies
--- Flight Suits / Clothing / Footwear
--- Helmets
--- Headsets / Intercoms
--- Oxygen Masks / Systems
--- Reproduction Flight Uniforms
--- Parachutes
--- Misc.

- Ground Service Equipment
--- Ground Tugs
--- Fueling systems
--- EPU / APU
--- Huffers
--- Stands
--- Storage Lockers
--- Misc.

- Hangar & Storage
--- Hangar Builders / Suppliers
--- HVAC
--- Shop equipment suppliers

- Transportation / Logistics
--- Aircraft Trucking / Moving Services
--- Component / Part Moving
--- Riggers / Crane Operators
--- Heavy Airlift Services
--- Heavy Overseas Shipping Services

- Training / Certification
--- Flight Training (High Performance Initial)
--- Flight Training (Turbine Initial)
--- Flight Training (Formation / Combat)
--- Independent Instructors
--- NDPRs
--- Type Clubs / Associations

- Flight Experiences / Adventure Flights
--- Large Multi-engine Aircraft (bombers / large transport)
--- Medium Multi-engine Aircraft (light transport / attack)
--- Single Prop High Performance (Fighters / HP Trainers)
--- Single Prop Light (Biplanes / Liasion)
--- Turbine High Performance

-Collectables
--- Clothing & Personal Equipment
--- Instruments (non airworthy)
--- Manuals / Books
--- Misc.
--- Appraisals
--- Buyers


CLASSIFIED SECTIONS

- Employment Opportunities
--- Mechanic/Crew Chief Wanted
--- Flight Ops Personnel Wanted
--- Museum / Curatorial / Archive Staff Wanted
--- Administrative / Managerial Wanted

- For Sale
--- Aircraft
--- Projects
--- Parts
--- Supplies
--- Misc.

- Wanted
--- Aircraft
--- Projects
--- Parts
--- Supplies
--- Misc.

- Hangars / Real Estate
--- Hangars for Rent / Lease
--- Hangar Land Available
--- Fly-in Property Available

- Partnerships / Clubs / Fractional Opportunities



Our goal is to make this a relevant and highly useful section for practical application to the active warbird community and enthusiasts.

We need your input on what other sections should be included and any additional subsections. This can include other areas like aircraft modeling supplies, photography, books and magazines, or even museums? (though I think Mike H at Aerialvisuals has that covered and I wouldn't want to compete)

Please, anyone, give us your input! Thanks!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Its been done, www.WarbirdDirectory.org

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Yes! A recommendation system would be good. Some outfits are great for certain things, but can be problematic for others (low price & good quality, but takes 6 months- might be OK for someone with a project, but not OK for someone needing to meet an airshow ccommitment next week). I'd like to know the details to see if a company's products or services are a good match for my needs.

I think if you set up some easy to follow guidelines it might be OK. Any failures to adhere to the guidelines would have to be moderated out I guess.

a much needed category would be vintage memorabilia. everything from instruments to flight gear, with a slant toward collecting. to many people don't know what they have. all of us here surely collect some form of aviation dreck. my credentials include appraisals of aviation memorabilia & the like.

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

I remember their calls when I was working at the CF, but I can't find them either in print or online at all... I felt that the ad numbers they were looking for were just not there.

This project is more of a "build it and they will come" endeavor that isn't so much seeking enough capital to make a profit, but to create some information resource for our community that isn't easy to find these days. Eventually banner ads will be part of the WRG / WIX sites as they currently are to pay for the space and bandwidth, but we'll never go the "you need a password to access this" type of thing.

See an example of a directory of what we are talking about at: http://directory.airportbusiness.com/buyersguide/

Thanks!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Tom,

I have added the section in green above... let me know if that covers it, or if I should include more subcategories. Thanks!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

thanks ryan, i'd say that pretty well covers it across the board

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tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

I'll confirm that WarbirdDirectory no longer exists. My check was sent back to me with a letter stating they would no longer be doing the directory. This was in 2006.
David

Thanks David... it further confirms that this needs to exist!

Thanks to one donor, the first year sponsorship is half-way there for the initial software buy. Still looking for another $50 earmarked for this project.

Now I am looking for anyone who may be interested in being volunteer researchers to find the companies that make up our industry and the contact information at each. A few hours a week could make a huge difference! Contact me via PM or via email if you would like to help!

Thanks!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Thanks to some fine, upstanding folks, we have enough funds to start the project. Each "early adopter" was given space for a 468x60 banner on the site in rotation once we launch... hopefully in April!

There's a few things I'd like from the WIX community if possible.

1) Does anyone have an extra print "Warbird Directory" laying around that they may be able to send to me? It would be a good jumping off point to get some of the basic listings added. If you can spare one (or two), please send it to my personal address listed at http://www.ryankeough.com under "Contact"

2) We have one person on the volunteer "adding and maintenance squadron" for the project other than me. We'd like to have a few more to help spread out the work. Anyone that has a few hours a week to give and a fair knowledge of typing and snooping around the internet would be a great addition! Drop me a PM or email if you can help!

3) Any warbird businesses or shops currently on WIX, are you interested in a premium listing or banner on the site? If so, please drop me an email or PM to be added to the list that will get the rate card when I establish it over the coming weeks. I can promise you, the rates will be very reasonable...

Thanks everyone for the help again and I look forward to having this as a new resource for all of us this Spring!

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Hate to post a reply to my reply...

Does anyone see any validity to adding a "Business Consultant" and "Restoration Consultant" listing header to the above? Reasons are as follows:

I have been an aviation business consultant for about seven years in some form or another, and know of others who do the same. We are the folks that museums may call when they need a contact here or there, or some information on a marketing campaign, or developing a sponsor pool for airshows. Are there people who are these kind of folks? Are there folks who use them?

As for the restoration consultant... we all know of them. Not necessarily associated with a shop per se, but experts in specific airplanes. When I had a Taylorcraft, the person to call was Forrest Barber... if it's a TBM, call John Lane, and if it's a ... name it, there is SOMEONE who has the inside scoop. Again, anyone see a place for this in the directory?

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

I think that'd be a great addition Ryan. It helps a lot of times for someone to be able to contact a single person for information who may know of stuff available that isn't with an organized company or group.

Ryan:

I personally think that having various airplane types and the "go-to guy" for each is a fine idea. It would save a new owner or mechanic a few steps and flatten the learning curve.

Great idea!!!!

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Regards,

Jase
www.b26marauder.com
"I'm having a BLAST!!" 2007 CAF Wing Staff Conference

RIP Gary Austin..always in our hearts

Cool idea, Ryan!

There are a number of operator/restoration discussion groups on the internet. Some are part of a particular type club with a chat board similar to WIX, while others are as simple as a Yahoo or MSN Groups email mailing list.

It might be easier to list these, and the requirements for joining the discussion, rather than trying to pin down one or two people in particular.

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Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

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