Warbird Information Exchange

How have I missed this thread for 6 pages? As one who was VERY involved in the move (trying to get it moved to S.A.) I see most all the arguments coming back that we used. The choice of Midland was not the choice of the members period. The election was won by San Antonio, and most members (still alive) know that. The suit(s) were dropped as they would have only hurt the organization which was approaching financial troubles anyway.
Anyway Midland has turned out better than I ever expected except, (and this is a big one) there is no, and never will be any tourist base what so ever.
Stinson or SAT were never considered, it was always Kelly, and the use of the Base by private enterprise was approved at the highest level (GWB). Corporate and City financial help were in place. But that didn't happen.
I just think it would be poetic justice if the impartial consulting firm picks S.A. as the best place for the "Super Base"

I've only skimmed part of this 6 page thread so I might be rehashing something already said.

I presume that the CAF major assets are moving en masse.
Wasn't one of the primary reasons for the original move from Harlingen because of corrosion problems from the salt air?

I would think that would still be a primary concern for relocation selection? Hope so.

How about North Texas Regional, AKA Perrin AFB. Just outside Sherman Texas, 75 miles from DFW airport by car. Lots of open ramp and land around it, plus Sherman-Denison is a growing area right of US highway 75.

JMC

For those late to this thread, here are the requirements for the new CAF HQ that were published on the CAF website. Randy

Where will HQ Airbase be?

The CAF General Staff has contracted with a professional firm to begin a nationwide search for a new property that meets the criteria below. The final location will be not be determined until Spring 2014.

HQ Location Criteria

*In or near a major metropolitan area of 500,000 population or more
*Near the cross roads of two or more interstate highways
*150 to 200 acres of land adjacent to an airport
*Destination area with major international airport
*Community support
*Economic incentives
*Access to the CAF membership
*Infrastructure of highways, roads, hotels, restaurants, vendors and other amenities attractive to CAF members, guests and customers
*Strong local demographics and easy access to a large pool of potential customers/guests/members

Airport Criteria

*Major reliever airport with limited scheduled carrier activity
*Open airspace around and above the airport
*Runway length of 7,000 by 150 or more
*Available land fronting the runway for CAF facilities
*Visibility and ease of access
*Room and ability to grow
*Cooperative airport management and tower
*Runways, taxiways and ramp areas capable of handling the aircraft of theCAF fleet
*Ground which could sustain a Fly-in versus an air show

Anyone have familiarity with Navy contracts? You know the ones where the supplier writes the requirement, gives it to the Navy, then the Navy puts out a request for proposal based on the supplier's version of the requirement and voila! The supplier that wrote the requirement gets it?

This is what I'm reading between the lines here: There's already a place in mind, and this proposal will cover it.

Well I can tell you first hand that the CAF General Staff, as a group, did not have any location selected or even in mind when we approved those requirements a few weeks ago. The plan is to narrow the selection to five locations before AIRSHO week next October.

Randy

Thanks for the correction Ober. After 20 years, I'll retire the Stinson tale...not that it ever got much mileage. Another perfectly good yarn struck down by the facts!

As for SAT, I don't recall them ever hosting an airshow of any sort. The military always seemed to host those events.

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