Can WIX sponsor warbirds?

[rwdfresno]

O.P.

There are plenty of orgs out there that I concur are like that. Collings is one we have been burned by. There are others out there that are the complete opposite and SoCal CAF is one. They are a class outfit and they have always been great to work with on events etc.

Really, at the end of the day it is best to "invest" your time, money and energy at the local level. Find a local org that you like and give them what you can of your time or money. There are plenty out there to choose from within a couple hours driving distance of all of us. I drive about and hour each way to bleed, sweat, and cry on my projects (except my M151A1 that is in my garage in many pieces lol).

[Dan Newcomb]

A lot of what OP says is very true indeed. So many organizations are good old boy flying clubs. Even my wing has been accused of that in the past. I can say this. I have been a member of the So Cal wing four plus years and we make every effort to be open and accepting of new members. We have people from all walks of life. Our members, and I think the CAF as a whole, has realized in the last few years that we must change if we are going to survive. We must attract new members. Period. Any member can fly in our aircraft when seats are available. Sponsor an aircraft and get qualified to fly it. It isn’t cheap but we do not discriminate. You don’t have to be a member of the Good Old Boys to participate. I maintain that if you want to get involved it is out there if you look far enough. If you are willing to meaningfully participate in this wing we will welcome you with open arms. What you get out of the wing equals what you put into it. You write a check and get a tax deduction. You join the organization you get one hell of a lot more.

Dan

[tom d. friedman]

the 1st thing other than finding a plane would be to get a 501 c tax deductable status. calling all accountants & bean counters!!!!!!! how do you cut through this red tape??

[Former Member]

I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

I donate once a year to some aviationish, and that is usually for a selfish reason.

I am pretty much not going to donate to anything I have no part of, or cannot have a part of.

The large "Org" in my area and around my area is an old boys club. You can't even hope somebodys going to die to get a chance at being a part of it. You will flat out never have anything to do with it, ever, no matter how much money you are willing to give. Their "the ORG's"planes are private feifdoms, and will remain that way forever.

It's pretty much a crying shame because the plane I am interested in being a part of is always in pieces scattered around the hangar. I know how much it would cost to fix/annual/repair/ect on some of the things on it, and I can pay cash to see it happen tommorrow morning. No one gives a crap. Heheeeee, It isn't even a "Dirty little secret", It is a known fact, that plane is pretty much the personal property of 5 guys who don't even fly the d@mn thing, and have to be threatened with its removal and have to find someone else to fly it to Texas for the big airshow.......I've expressed a lot of interest, and everyone, absolutley everyone, including members from that chapter and other nearby chapters, just laughed and said don't bother....

I guess that, and a couple of other things, have seriously jaded me on stuff like that. I will not give any of my "Aviation" money to anyone or anything unless it directly benifits me immediately. Collings foundation is a great example, give them money, get a ride in the plane, pretty simple.

There was talk of a WIX airplane before, I know it was just talk, but what it all boiled down too is , Give us some money, We, "Meaning the only person qualified to fly the thing" will keep the plane here,"3000 miles away from me", and you guys can help kick for the maintenance. Sounds familiar.....heheeeeee

I'll just give my cash to my buds for gas money. I need the good ole boys and the mega retired sit in the museum all day and look down your nose at O.P. for invading your personal fiefdoms, like I need a hole in my f***ing head.

They can keep their broke d1ck airplanes, and I'll keep my cash.

Now tell us how you really feel.

Seriously...you bring up some very valid points and I have to agree with you.

John

[Nathan]

I think it is a good idea. Why don't we do it? We all want to see aircraft saved, restored, and mantained properly and there are enough people on this forum to really be a big help. Maybe there should be a focus on one aircraft a month. Whats the verdict Scott?