Warbird Information Exchange

After all the restoration work I've done on the Skyraider this year, I thought about rethinking my dislike of Airventure. I called EAA warbirds today told them I was thinking about bring 2 or 3 of the warbirds this year, I would like to get an extra wristband for my crew. They told me that the policy is "2 wristbands per engine", I explained the whole six seat, slightly larger than normal, Skyraider thing and they clarified the policy for me, "2 wristbands per engine, no exceptions". It's not the money, it's the attitude that I can't stomach.

I guess I will just go to Sturgis. It's probably more fun, anyway.

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Hi Eric:

I understand your frustration, but your angst should be directed at EAA and not EAA Warbirds. Believe it or not, EAA makes EAA Warbirds BUY the passes from them to give to the warbird operators. Because they have to pay for them, they try to be as fair as possible in apportioning them out.

I believe Warbirds is the only group at AirVenture who actually give the pilots anything. I can remember a day when you would show up in a warbird and you would still have to pay to get in. Fortunately, the EAA Warbirds of American board stepped up to the plate and agreed to buy passes for members bringing airplanes.

I have always found it frustrating that EAA can't get it through their head that a lot of folks come to AirVenture to see the Warbirds. They shouldn't be requiring one of their divisions to buy the wristbands. But that is just my personal opinion.

Hey Eric, do you have anything that does not use or leak oil by the gallon ? Skyraider and harleys, how can you tell which parks where ? Oh, maybe the Harley's oil puddle is closer to the wall ?

I got fed up with EAA after Carl's death, they flew 3 missing man formations during the main show, 2 were for people that dedicated their lives to aviation, and 1, JFK jr, who showed up at Oshkosh once.and was too stupid to turn on a auto pilot, and none for Carl, who devoted countless hours per year to EAA, was T-6 lead and a Warbird of America Director. I let my membership expire after that and there is no way in hell I will ever renew it.

Eric,

The policy is what it is, and everyone has to abide by it. Doesn't matter if you're Sean Tucker or Patty Wagtaff or Bill Greenwood. It does help though if your name happens to be Poberezny.

If your decision to bring some planes to AirVenture comes down to having an extra pass or two, I'll gladly give you a couple of my personal passes that each EAA employee is alotted. Just let me know and I can have them in the mail to you just as soon as I get them myself...

Zack

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Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

Eric,

I'm souring on EAA too. Haven't you heard...you warbird owners have tons of money and can afford to pay yer own freaking way! Let me know if you decide to go to Sturgis. I bought a brand new Harley Night Rod Special and it's just beggin' for more miles on the odometer!

John

Eric. you'vre done all that work on making then Skyraider look good. Do you really want to leave it in the hangar? and where are the current photos? Do you really want to ride that Harley all the thumping way to Sturgis?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Tim,

Thanks for the clarification. I'm sure that the people who work for all the various aspects of Warbirds are good people. I just don't get the mindset. It's obviously nothing more than a business, so run it like one. I understand that there are vast amounts of vintage and other owners who come for nothing and I applaud them. I only went to Osh twice and I didn't particularly like it either time. I belong to all of those alphabet groups and I'll keep paying my dues. If they had a EAA Warbird only fly in, that actually benefited the Warbird community, I wouldn't miss it.

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Well, I would certainly love to see your Spad in Oshkosh but completely understand your reasoning behind thinking otherwise. I could see what I could do about scoring extra passes for you as well but we usually have to pay for any that aren't for a volunteer.

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-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

Zack wrote:


Thanks for the offer! As you might guess, it's not about the cost of the wristbands, it's more of a general attitude. Probably, part mine, and part theirs. But thanks anyway.







BTW, No Harleys for me. I have an Indian.

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Eric

"I spent most of my money on alcohol, women and skyraiders....and the rest of it I just wasted."

Eric, the offer for passes still stands if you decide to come, with airplanes or no. Just because the organization's policies aren't always fair or just, doesn't mean the employees can't try to be.

BTW - nice bike!!!

Zack

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Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

Nice bike!
Love the paint job.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Eric, know what you mean. What bugs me is their fuel policy. They want the warbirds to fly to enhance their show, which further enhances attendance. BUT,....if you aren't one of the annointed ones who fly in the showcase after 4:00 then they don't give you gas for your participation. Fly at 3:45 no joy, fly after 4:00, no problem here's the truck ! Same airshow, same crowd ! What's wrong with this picture?

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Eric,
Arlington EAA Fly-inn is the same way. No support to the warbirds and yet they reap the benefits of the crowds they draw and the excitement they generate. Has for the fly-bys during the airshow I believe it was 20 gallons no matter if you were flying a L-Bird or a B-25 Cascade EAA squadron paid for the warbirds with no assistance from the parent organization. Cascade Warbirds boycotted it a couple years ago and instead of 100 warbird Arlington had 2 or 3 show up.. After that someone got the message. So things I understand are a tad better.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I have got to say that I am a huge EAA fan. Oshkosh is a great airshow, but not a warbird airshow. EAA really has done alot of great things. I became a Lifetime Member about a year and a half ago. I'm proud to be a member. Sometimes I think that us in the warbird worl loose sight of some of the really cool things we do. It's a fly in and vacation for me. if it was me Eric, I'd just buy the tickets and treat it that way. That's just my opinion. You guys on here are probably sick of my opinions by now. All I can say is that I am honest. It may not be what everyone likes to hear, but you will never say that "That Chris stabbed me in the back".

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I am right with you on that one! Every year at OSH you hear folks grumbling about the EAA policies and how they wish a warbird only fly in would take place.

I think OSH is a great event and I have gone every year for the last twenty-two years. (hard to believe I have spent almost a half a year in cumulative weeks just at that event!) Could it be better? Sure. Could they appreciate the warbirds more? Absolutely. I think Rick Siegfried and the rest of the warbird directors are doing their absolute best to improve the experience for warbird owners and members.

I am sure there are a lot of competing interests invovled...but it has always seemed to me that the current managment of the EAA as a whole is more interested in Pitts' type aerobatic acts than warbirds. If you watch the crowds, however, they are much more interested in warbirds...especially the general public...which is where I would guess a good part of their gate income is derived.

Would love to see you there, Eric, but I certainly understand your sentiment. If I recall correctly the rumor is that one of the precipitating events to the Warbirds buying passes happend back in the late 80s when a large collector showed up at OSH and saw a poor turnout of warbirds. He used his B-25 as a shuttle to take his pilots back and forth to get a whole flock of fighters...close to 10 or 12. Then he asked for passes. He didn't have any luck. Didn't come back either.