Aircraft may belong in the air but not all of them can be, or should be, made to fly. Let’s say ground static is a very good second-best.
Let’s just hope that, as a consequence of the move of CF from Newquay to Coventry that aircraft are not lost in the process – though it may be inevitable. However, the plus side is that the airframes which may be lost are not unique or sole-surviving examples.
As usual, the volunteers are rarely afforded much afterthought to such decisions. Another saying is “you’re worth what they pay you” which, in this case, is nothing. OK, that may be stretching the point a little because most people do appreciate the invaluable contribution volunteers make to any project. It’s just that, in a business world, there is little place for sentiment. I’ve volunteered for years with aviation projects and groups and it’s fair to say that, in most cases, I’ve retired with bruises. I learned early on that you should volunteer because you like doing what you do, not for any other reason. That way, you shouldn’t be too disappointed with unforseen or mis-managed outcomes. That is why, to quote someone’s comment in another thread, I now plough my own furrow.
Anon.
I agree with Anon’s comments here as to volunteers. I duly volunteered ages before it opened as having been involved with warbird and vintage aircraft for over 30 years and it was almost on my doorstep (40 miles away). I did enjoy it to begin with, but I was my worst enemy as took on far too many projects and roles – opened accounts with various model companies and then ordered the stock for the shop, produced a line of A3 profiles working with the artists, was behind the soon to be released Oxford diecast G-AIDL Rapide with Consul on here, created the cinema supplying the equipment and working out the licenses for the films, and then building a sit in simulator depicting the aircraft of the CAF. That took 18 months working with lots of hardware and flight simulator people trying to get discount where possible. In the end, I burnt myself out, I wasn’t a pretty sight some days (some say I always look like that) and so I had to leave. I wanted it to succeed as did everyone else, but for reasons well beyond our own control, it is now a totally different event. I’m now back in the Harvard world from where I started at the age of 18, so least have something to dedicate my spare time too.
As to flying aircraft v static. CAF at Newquay was a mixture. We had the statics for rainy days and to let the public get up close to aeroplanes that they couldn’t do in their normal lives and then on days when we did see the sun and there wasn’t a crosswind, the fliers turned the place around and it was constantly buzzing. The pleasure flying aircraft always attracted attention and last minute decisions, the jets on either airtests or off to the odd airshow and then the visitors to the airport, all added to the experience. Now that is totally static and with a few airframes (I believe some are going to Coventry), it will have lost its soul. Once little Johnny has been past one jet, and then seen another almost the same, he has lost his interest and then the beach seems more interesting. Hopefully the volunteers that are left have some wonderful plans to turn things around, but sadly it is not for me. Each to their own.
Someone mentioned expenses for volunteers…….this made me smile. Think we used to get free pasties (ok they weren’t Ginsters, but not much better) but apart from that nothing. Think I paid for 80% of my flying and then on the last day of operations in October they ran a special flight just for volunteers and then we still had to pay £40 each. What gets me, is without volunteers, the place would not have done so well (read the Tripadvisor reports) and this is the thanks we get. Ok, i did it because yes, I wanted to be involved, play my part, but there come a time when enough is enough. I look forward to reading the developments of what remains at Newquay.
Best wishes,
Martin
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