Tue, Jun 01, 2010
TheLastTime.org, the group which has been raising funding and
arranging logistics for the staging of 40 or more DC-3s before a
formation arrival at Oshkosh this year, says its plan to stage at
Whiteside Airport in Illinois is still a "go", despite an 'attempt'
by the Experimental Aircraft Association to take over the staging
and move it to an alternate airport.
EAA last week issued a statement asserting its exclusive control
over the arrival, and asking DC-3 pilots planning to take part to
register directly with EAA to receive essential information.
But Whiteside Airport Manager Mike Dowell tells ANN it went much
further, and quoted EAA VP Adam Smith, who has served in the past
as Director of Aircraft Attractions for Airventure, as telling The
Last Time group that EAA would announce a new staging airport in
two weeks, and would expect DC-3 owners to change their plans.
In communications on the issue with ANN so far, EAA has not
denied an intent to designate a different staging airport, but does
say the issue had nothing to do with enhancing its own revenue
opportunities.
EAA has provided ANN with a copy of correspondence from EAA
Chairman and President Tom Poberezny to DC-3 owner and pilot Dan
Gryder, also identified in public records as the registrant for
TheLastTime.org website, decrying a lack of appropriate
communication from his group, asserting that all DC-3 activities
taking place at AirVenture must be under EAA's direct control, and
expressing a concern that all DC-3 enthusiasts, whether part of
TheLastTime or not, be welcomed without exclusions.
It's unfortunate that this dispute went public without the
details necessary to understand the issues.
Whiteside Airport Manager Mike Dowell is ANN's guest on
today's Aero News Special Feature, and we're awaiting
confirmation of a request for an interview with Tom Poberezny.
We'll hope to bring you that tomorrow.
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