Warbird Information Exchange

I volunteer with the yankee Air Museum as systems admin for the technology group. Even though I now live 180+ miles away and am actualy *in* the hangar less than once a month now, through the miracle of the remote acceess system (that I set up), I can take care of basically everything that I used to do when I lived in Michigan, short of anything that actually involves a screwdriver.

I started with the group 3-4 months before the fire on the invitation of a friend (who is also the dept. manager). Most of our time then was spent in the old hangar playing the "What if" game, since at that point there were only a couple remotely modern PC's, a server that just sorta sat there holding files, and a flaky fax line that might get one PC a 28.8k connection if the wind was blowing the right way and the bits were traveling down hill

The day of the fire, I got ahold of Tim (the afore mentioned dept. manager) and said "the what if" plans just became our rebuilding plan. Now there is an always-on internet conenction (fractional T1, best we could do.), that file server is now our primary domain controller, we've got an intranet, internal mail system, completely redesigned web-site (not my doing), 45+ modern PC's all running XP (all of which are 400mhz or better PII's. No department is actually wanting for a machine now.), 10-ish modern laptops (kevin, can you bring yours in and leave it for a couple days at some point soon?) ethernet run to every room and (coming in the near future if we can lay our hands on the rest of the gear) Wifi access for the guys working on the hangar floor. All of which has cost the museum under two grand in actually expenses, thanks primarily to donations. On top of all that, the experience I gained was a contributing factor in me landing the job I have now.

Just because you don't turn wrenches or fly doesn't mean there's not a place for you in these organizations. If you've got a skill, offer it up. If there's no one doing the job now, make it yours.

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner

I get the impression that you were given much support to take on the tasks you did. I was in a similar position but barriers to participation were put up unless you held a wrench. Good job Phil!

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

You say "much support" I say "all the rope I could ever need to hang myself." That's what was the best part of the overall rebuild. Having 27 projects going at once and having no idea how well they'd be received.

Well, that and the ability to wait out a 45 minute software installation by stepping out into the hangar bay and checking out a B-17, B-25, or C-47

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner