It’s safely indoors at the Lelystad museum. The photo below was taken last friday (23rd).

As you might have read, the Aviodrome museum has closed the doors following their bankruptcy. A curator* has been asigned by the financial autorities. It’s her job to get the most money out of the museum to be able to repay all open debts.

She is trying to sell the museum with all assets, Connie included, to a single party with the aim to keep the museum intact. However, her main aim is to get the debt cleared. So if she is unable to do so, then the museum will be sold in pieces. An inventory of the museum’s assets is being conducted. Last I heard is that if no suitor is found for the full lot within roughly 3 months, then there will be an auction on individual items.

What makes this bankruptcy complicated is that a lot of items in the museum are not owned, or merely partially owned, by the museum. That said, the Constellation is fully owned by the Aviodrome and as such might end up for sale in a few weeks.

Even if the Aviodrome is taken over in full, I am not convinced she’ll fly again. The insurance rates are insane, and both European and Dutch legislation are not favourable.

* Note: a curator in Dutch is not a museum expert, rather a financial/corporate expert. Closest translation in English, in this context, would be a (financial) liquidator.

Good quote, though I’m more a disciple of G’Kar. 😉

The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest.

The proposed take-over by the Libéma group fell through, Libéma was unable to arrange financing. The Aviodrome website mentions that from satuday the 24th the museum will be closed for the time being. When (if?) the museum reopens remains to be seen.

The museum and its collection will be put up for auction. Part of the collection is not owned by the Aviodrome, and will therefor of course not be put up for sale. For instance the DDA DC-3s will remain with the DDA, and the Koolhoven FK23 which was sold to the Rijksmuseum earlier this year.

Dutch source:
http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nl-NL/Article.cms/Algemeen/Failliet_Aviodrome_vrijdag_voor_het_laatst_open

Tried to get rid of the weeds in the garden. Have been trying to get rid of them for 3 or 4 years but they just keep coming back. One thing’s certain, my cityblock won’t be used for drinkwater extraction anytime soon! And growing veggies is not recommended either! 😀

I flew on a Delta (Northwest) DC-9 twice. Once from EWR to DTW and once from DCA to DTW, both times connecting to a flight back to AMS. I suggest you try either of these routes. Just check the equipment before booking cause on the same routes they also use 320s, 757s and CRJs.

A-380 users are already selling off their aircraft?

I did say “at some point in the future”.

Excellent. I wonder why it was re-regged to German. The German flag is on it as well.

The VQ registration is painted, the German registration is a sticker (I think you can just see the outline). Untill the plane has been delivered it will keep the German registration.

They can if the airline does not agreed to reasonable terms. of course the definition of “reasonable” is wide enough for a A380 load of lawyers.

For argument sake, let’s compare an airport with a car dealership. If you go to the dealer to buy a new car you get a list with packages to choose from. Do you want a Polo, a Golf or a Passat? Do you want the sports package or the comfy package? Do you want normal wheels or alloys? The list is endless. After you make your choices a certain price will show. At this point the dealership will have some negotiation space. This can be done to lower the price, or to increase service for instance with extended warranty or favourable financing.

The same happens with airports. They have price lists and optional packages. The price list are the default charges like landing charges, ATC charges and taxes. A good portion of those will be mandated by various legal autorities. Next to those the airport can offer various optional “packages”. For instance for lounge access, fast turnaround, remote or terminal parking etc.

Now back to the dealership. You have choosen your car and yhe dealership has established you are financially able to buy one. At this point I don’t think the dealer has the right to refuse the deal. After all, simply by advertising the dealer (or rather the importer but let’s keep it simple) made an offer. In commercial law any reasonable* offer is binding.

*reasonable: there’s that A380 load of lawyers again