Warbird Information Exchange

I was curious. Say an individual had some land out in the middle of nowhere and wanted to start a not for profit museum how would they start to do this? Also what kind of process, if any, is it to request aircraft for restoration and static display from the USAF, USN/USMC and USA?

Thanks

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Best way is to begin by fulfilling the IRS requirements to be designated a 501C3 not for profit foundation. This allows you to apply for examples of aircraft that may become available for loan. All at your expense, of course. It has other major benefits too of course but the biggie is that it allows other people who are interested in your cause to write off their donations against their tax bill.

I've heard that if you have 5 aircraft over 30 years old in your hanger, you can call it a museum and take a break on it. I've seen a couple like that. The one that comes to mind first is over at Hollister where the Iron Ass used to be. Cool place.

You could also convince a war bird owner to "Loan" the aircraft to the museum, he gets a tax break and gets to fly every weekend, you get a static display during the week.


The thing I've heard about requesting aircraft from the gubmint is, besides fulfilling the 501 requirements, there has to be a full time employee. Thats the hoop that a lot of places can't jump through.

It's all hearsay. But, I think I would like to do a version of this when I grow up, if it's possible.

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DEEP THOUGHTS BY KIDS:
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. Age 15 "


Deep Thoughts,
Jack Handy

O.P. they usually require that the facility be open to the public for a specific number of days a year. One govt entity requires that you must be open at least 120 days per year.

Shay: what are you going to name it?

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The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

Thanks for the info col.
I was rather joking.

_________________
The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

I have no idea at this point. My family has a farm out in Indiana on quite a sizeable amount of land. I think it might be a good area to have one. My uncle was intially a F-8 driver who flew several tours over Vietnam with the VF-211 and went on to be the commanding officer of several squadrons. It would be nice to setup a museum to honor him as well as my Father who is retired Air Force. NAVY and USAF aircraft would be great but I wouldn't limit the collection to just those 2 facits of aviation.
A full time employee on a shoe strings is a steap obstacle unless you could get away with calling, the neighbor's kid who cut's the grass, the grounds keeper

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Cool!
Good luck with whatever you do.

_________________
The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

May 9
Get your request in now, and maybe you can get a shuttle for the new museum!

California Politician Seeks Display Rights for Atlantis Orbiter

Palmdale, California has called the "front seat" when NASA retires the space shuttle Atlantis, the space agency’s oldest remaining orbiter.

Assemblywoman Sharon Runner introduced a Joint Resolution that, if passed, would transmit an official request to the President and leaders of Congress to grant Palmdale as the future and permanent home of the orbiter.

Runner's resolution is the result of a NASA briefing that suggested it will ground Atlantis in 2008, rather than put it through a required maintenance period that could exceed the end of the shuttle program in 2010. As it is written however, the bill would appear to neglect existing requirements for how NASA must dispose of artifacts and its agreement for their transfer to the Smithsonian.

Runner's reasons outlined in the bill for Atlantis to move to Palmdale include the city's history as where all of NASA's orbiters were first assembled, and to allocate room at Kennedy Space Center for future exploration vehicles. "It just makes sense for Atlantis to return home to Palmdale," said Runner. "This resolution is an important step in the process. It will demonstrate that California is united behind Palmdale as the proper location."