Tom HThanks for the photos gentlemen
She sure seems to have a good home.
I do wonder why the current owner removed the gear extensions? They moved the mains ahead a few inches to counter act the nose over tendancy the 120/140’s have if you abused the brakes on pavement.
The 120/140 is such a nice flying classic airplane and very capable, lots of nasty rumors about PIO and ground looping that I never experienced with FFLJ. Found her easy to fly and easy to land even in vicous cross winds.
Thanks Again
Tom H
Tom HA big “Thank you”
Just a big thank you to all those theat took the time to past on your comments.
The information gleaned is going into improving our layouts an programming and your input has been appreciated.
the thoughts put forward on displays contridictes some of the common practices on our side of the pond and has lead to the changing of some plans.
You have also made it obvious that food services are more important than expected.
thank you all again
Tom H
Tom HA huge huge thank you for the information
It’s nice to see that the new owner has cleaned up the warts caused by the previous owner.
I certainly wish Mr. Gardano as the best with Juilet, she was such a sweet flying airplane.
So nice to see she has a good home, though she is likely forever out of my reach.
thanks again it is so much appreciated.
Tom H
Tom Hhello Beurling
Many of the things you mention are on our radar…like the kids programming.
We are already working with the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame on special rotating displays that change every 2-3 months. We are also continually changing various smaller displays.
The plan is to re-arrange the aircraft every 3 years (first time was this past fall) to keep things fresh.
The flying aircraft as you know is tougher…
If the Ventura guys can find the balance of the funding they need we will have a world class one of a kind aircraft in the air. Meantime we are working on more affordable light aircraft flight programming.
The big buggaboo is money, me just keep ahead of the game now…to bite off a airworthy warbird would put us in the red at this time. That said part of my job is to find the support to make things like that happen and I am working on it.
In my mind we really need to help get the Ventura flying, it’s place in history is important and both the team doing the work and I want the remaining veterans that flew the Venturas to be able to see this one before it’s too late.
Heck most casual enthusiasts don’t even relaize how much it did in the 2nd World War or that virtually every allied country operated them.
I appreciate the comments and am glad you enjoyed the website.
Tom H
Tom HThanks Consul
Nice to know she’s not alone.
What was that old expression about not believing everything you read?
If anyone has seen her I would just like to know how she’s doing.
Thanks again
Tom H
Tom HVideo and computers
Very little has been said about the use of computers and video in displays.
We use video quite a bit with the appropriate airframes
– Vickers Viking (replica)…..flight segment from Map of the Human Heart
– Fairchild 71………………..segement from Captain of the Clouds (our bird
was in it)
– Mosquito……………………segment from 633 Squadron
This seems to have been a very popular feature with visitors and helps them put the aircraft into context.
Right now we use 20″ TV’s but are looking for funding to go to much larger screens and expand the program to all our aircraft.
We have tested a slide show screen saver of the restoration of the Mosquito with the Mosquito and found it to be very popular as well….the only complaint has been the 15″ screen.
This too is something we are looking at making a feature of each aircraft with much much larger screens.
We feel this lets us tell much more of the operational story with the video and much much more of the restoration process using the slide show screen saver system.
Are any other museums doing similar things…any suggestions?
Tom H
Tom HComments appreciated gentlemen
Pondskater, Rocketeer, Scotavia
Thank you for bringing up the font size, frankly something I had not dealt with yet and what you say is very helpful.
bri
All of our facility is accessible by those in wheel chairs, even the mezzanine that is under consideration will be wheel chair accessible.
I will check into a pause for the tour program, thanks for the suggestion!
Almost everyone has mentioned food service, we have not dealt with public food services to this point…but it is obviously a higher priority that local surveys show…appreciate the input.
For the record we do run a volunteer lunch program…but need to get a handle on the public.
Thank you all again.
Tom H
Oh almost forgot….AVRO Arrow, doesn’t fit the collection policy of our facility bri, but an hour away the Reynolds Museum has a full scale mock up!
2 Weeks ago we had Randall Whitcomb, author of AVRO Aircraft and the Cold War, was the speaker in our speaker series….so much new info is leaking out that is adds a new level of questions.
Thanks again
Tom H
Tom HThank you again for the input gentlemen
HurriRV7
Certainly wish CWH well, just like to get some of their corporate $$$, but it will come in time for us.
Their location does help for sure, but we do many of the same things they do except for the flying aircraft. But I’m working on that!
Appreciate the input and all the best to the WCAM as well.
Consul
I am so glad you enjoyed our facility and the hospitality of our volunteers.
We have made many changes since you were here, please check the website for some of them.
Your comments paint the picture of the atmosphere we are trying to maintain and build on.
The Cranwell is in restoration right now getting a re fit and being 1/2 covered to better demonstrate the construction techniques of the day.
The Norseman you mention (the 2nd is displayed inside) is now proudly mounted over Kingsway avenue on floats! Beside here is now a large memorial dedicated to all facets of aviatioin (Pioneers, Civil and Military) that is highlighted by large bronze sculptures.
right next is 1 or our Voodoos at the opposite end the BOMARC missle.
Certainly make our place easy to find.
Pondskater
Apprecaite your comments very much.
We do have on gooing visitor surveys, track our advertising and have a guest book that has provided great comments and ideas to work on.
But I am always looking for more comments from afar as visitors often tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to hear.
I also spend alot of time interviewing guests casualy and making notes.
Research, research, research….
Thanks again to all of you for your comments
Tom H
Tom HI have the info, but you will have to give me some time to find it.
If someone can help quicker it would be better.
Need a laugh…the reason I know I have it is we are redesigning the wing on our our experimental aircraft to use it!
give me some time and I will find it.
Tom H
Tom HThank you to everyone for their thoughts and input!!!
I have made careful notes and appreciate all the suggestions.
Please do visit our website, bearing in mind it is still being revised and features added…..http://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com
Soon to have several more links added to features like “Wings of a Hero”.
Kids section coming in the future!
Fresh ideas and thoughts are what allow us to build a better series of displays.
Tom H
Tom HEddie
You will glad to know that the sister to our bird is nearing the end of a full restoration to airworthy…should fly this year in unmodified form.
Unfortunately it is in private hands and I have been told (I do not know how accurately) that it will not be availabile for public exhibit.
thanks again for your response.
Tom H
Tom H682al
I really appreciate your response as it fits with my thoughts.
If you arrive before closing and wish to go through our facility Our gift shop manager or I stay till you finish touring (within reason).
Service is a huge deal, we have only 4 staff, everything else is volunteer. But to succeed we must maintain a high service level.
We can also arrange to do evening tours for small groups, air cadets etc and do so on a regular basis.
thanks for your comments.
cig1705
In order to give the enthusiast as much detail as possible we are currently attempting to fund computer video displays that will start with a presentation of the “easy” information for the layman and then delve into the specific restoration and history of each aircraft for the enthusiast.
This seems to be the best compromise on getting maximum information availabile while not overwhelming the aircraft with massive story boards.
What do you think of our idea?
Thanks for the input.
Tom H
Tom HHello Eddie
When it comes to our Mosquito I’m afraid the mods are not reversible. Also bear in mind hindsight is 20/20. The Mosquito was done to static nearly 20 years ago.
When we recieved our Mosquito from Edmonton Archives it was beyond a basket case. it had spent decades outside as a gate guardian, unmaintianed and unprotected, then in dissassembled outside storage unprotected for years.
The aircraft had been purchased and donated to the City decades earlier by a 418 Sqn member with the intent it be redone to represent a 418 aircraft.
When our Museum was established the Mosquito came to us in a complicated partnership…with the condition it be redone to represent a 418 Sqn aircraft.
With funds availabile it has been saved as the 418 Squadron aircraft of Russ Bannock (an Edmontonian) and is proudly parked immediately in front of the 418 Squadron Association mini museum.
Is it correct, no. Is it safe, well protected, well loved and representing an important part of Edmonton’s history, YES.
Within the terms, conditions and dollars of the time the Museum did the best it could do.
Do I wish it could have been otherwise…of course. Will the mistake be repeated, no…and it is hoped time and dollars will eventually allow the complete conversion to the FB.
Have we made other mistakes…you bet, but we learn from them and do our best not to repeat them.
So it’s not that I don’t like your answer, more that in some circumstances museums are forced into decisions we don’t like by outside factors.
In a perfect world “all” museums would have funding to allow them to operate without compromise…unfortunately we are not yet in a perfect world.
Appreciate the response though and I hope it helps you understand how things came to be as they are.
Tom H
Tom HThank you Roger
We do have exhibits on the RCAF airwomen as well as the women of commercial aviation. while you don’t see it on the website there are also 2 memorials to womens contribution to our history in our park area with flower pots and seating…so we are trying.
Your comments on the washroom facilities are well taken and have been adressed with the addition of well done public loos.
The cafe’/tea shoppe is a good point…one we have not been able to deal with so far…so thank you for your comments there.
Thanks to all for the comments so far they are appreciated
Tom H
Tom HThanks for the comments gentlemen
CSheppardholedi
Thank you for your input, yes we try to keep our exhibits up close and personal for those visiting, it’s does have it’s pro’s and con’s but we are sticking with it.
Children are a huge part of the equation to us (and me as a Dad with a 2 year old and a 14 year old). We are adding additional interactives adn hope to create an indoor glider play area over the next year.
I am also a firm believer in getting kids addicted to aviation early as it make them focus more in school. What to be a pilot? Then you need math, sciences etc. Works with my 14 year old that is now in flight training.
Again thanks for the input.
TexanTomCat
For several years we worked on the donation system, unfortunately in our part of the world it did not work. Putting the nominal admission in place actually increased attendance.
While we operate on a comparitive shoe string (4 paid staff, everything else is volunteer) the overheads on our building (in this climate of -30C) are substancial.
Admissions are what we operate on, goverment funding is minimal (if not for the City of Edmonton it would be “0”) Provincial, Federal operating grants, non existant.
Fortunately our Province does work with us on Capital projects (building and restorations). Corporate to this point has been minimal. But we are working on it!
Our story and collection have Edmonton at it’s centre. We are fortunate to be in a place where much of the Canadian Aviation History was made. Also unusual is the 50/50 split in our history between military and commercial.
Makes for a unique collection!
Our commercial aircraft are arranged from the oldest (1916) to the newest (Boeing 737) telling the story of commercial aviation developement.
Our military is arranged similarly from the newest (CF-101 Voodoo) to the oldest (Tiger Moth).
Of course at the moment we still have huge gaps in our aircraft collection.
(1911 Curtis pusher, Sopwith Camel. Dr1, Siskin, Bellanca Pacemaker, Canso, P-39 or P-63 to name a few)
Display cases are set to match each area and in selected areas dioramas are used…mannequins have been a problem as bits seem to dissappear.
We do want to expand our “People of aviation” content and have been working on a series of rotating displays with the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.
I see making things more interactive as being extremely important, how do you feel about interactives…especially simulators?
Thanks for the thoughts
Tom H
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