Rhinebeck Museum trouble

SL DIII · 21 October 2009, 01:01 PM

Hi,
I went to the Aerodrome on Oct. 17 and was sorry to see the mishap with the Avro but relieved and happy to know that Bill walked away from it okay. He and Herb Gregory have been working very hard to keep the airplanes flying at Rhinebeck and deserve a great deal of credit for their dedicated efforts. It is really too bad that they had this setback, but these things happen. The landscape around the Aerodrome doesn’t allow much opportunity for emergency landings offsite of the actual Aerodrome runway, so Bill did not have many (if any) options in this situation.

As a current member of the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum, I recently received a print copy of their newsletter. James Salzano, (a RAM board member and editor) deserves congratulations for putting it together and getting it out to the membership. I’ve met some very decent folks working at Rhinebeck who I feel are working hard to do good job there, and wish them nothing but the best.

Mike Digiacomio (a relatively new board member) was there on the 17th, and his positive attitude, genuine enthusiasm and pleasant personality helped to make me feel hopeful about the future of Rhinebeck. I get the impression that people like James and Mike are aware that Rhinebeck had a past and might at least be willing to acknowledge that both good and bad things have happened there over the years.

Jim Hare announced during the last show of the season and did his usual fantastic job. He kept the audience calm as the Avro disappeared behind the trees, and he kept rolling along with dialogue like the true professional that he is. After the show someone from the audience yelled up to him in the tower, “You were the star of the show!” and I couldn’t have agreed more. He has a tremendous gift and they are very fortunate to have him at the Aerodrome announcing.

While writing, I should probably mention that the heating system brought up earlier in this thread, which was obtained for the museum back in 2001/2002, was installed in the main museum building soon after it was acquired. It was used during the winter of 2002/2003 for at least two school tours in the off season, and for the preparation/disassembly of aircraft to be shipped to Australia for an airshow in early ‘03. The heat was kept on at least for part of that winter to help provide a consistent temp for the artifacts in the main museum building.

The equipment remaining on the floor in the museum (which was also obtained around the same time as the heating system) is a ventilation system, to help cool the museum in the summertime. Hopefully someone there can arrange to have it installed before next summer.

Best regards,
Tom Polapink

PS - It seems that adding the collections pages back to the website would help to lead "googlers" looking for information on specific vintage aircraft, autos and engines by name directly to the ORA site. That was one of the main reasons why those pages were developed and included on the site in the first place.

tazbat · 21 October 2009, 08:11 PM

I don't know Bill Gordon personally, and have never met him. If he walked by me at ORA, I wouldn't know him. That said... he has a fine reputation of being an excellent stunt pilot and mechanic. Many people who know him have commented to me just that. So, I go faithfully on their assessment since I know most them of personally.

In my estimation there is no reason to fault Bill in his mechanical abilities to maintain the rotary engines. At the same time I am concerned that there aren't enough hours for Bill and Herb to spend on all the aspects of aircraft maintenance. Cole as the founder and owner spent most of his daylight hours working on and inspecting his planes. After a while he acquired a core group of experienced mechanics, as well as a perpetual group of willing volunteers. This is something that the current BoT's haven't been able to recreate since running off the Old Guard and its community of volunteers. As long as certain individuals continue to inhabit the Aerodrome, that is not likely to reoccur. Despite what SL DIII posted previously, as long as there are rotten apples in the barrel, the rest will be spoiled. And if they aren't spoiled, then they will be run off like so many others in the last six years. It has always been the mistrustees way or the highway.

Salute!
Sandy

22 October 2009, 07:31 AM

It's always something that could have been avoided... I'd say we..... neighbors.. my home is a whole 7 min away: maybe. are sick and tired of the antics at the Aerodrome. The coverup's, imprudence, and total lack of care, are a big waste. To see so many plane's destroyed due to INCOMPETENCE, makes me ill...I could go on and on.. but I wont waste my time... Be advised all.. this place is going downhill fast.. and its a shame to watch and live here.....

womenfly2 · 22 October 2009, 08:42 AM

...... Troll.

Bitz Dr1 · 22 October 2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingdongsuchgarbage

It's always something that could have been avoided... I'd say we..... neighbors.. my home is a whole 7 min away: maybe. are sick and tired of the antics at the Aerodrome. The coverup's, imprudence, and total lack of care, are a big waste. To see so many plane's destroyed due to INCOMPETENCE, makes me ill...I could go on and on.. but I wont waste my time... Be advised all.. this place is going downhill fast.. and its a shame to watch and live here.....

Seems they have enough planes for a few more seasons though, so don't give up on them yet.

22 October 2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by womenfly2

...... Troll.

one very large YAWN

Bitz Dr1 · 22 October 2009, 10:56 AM

Perhaps redirecting the focus to the point that was made earlier- the pilot was one of the most skilled at the Rhinebeck, and made it away from a prangued craft unhurt. Better than last year, no? Fatalities happen. When my Father flew in the Air Force, amongst others, he made a comment that one did not get too attached to flying mates, as they rolled themselves up in a ball often enough that one's heart would be broken. The risk is there, no matter how perfect, or imperfect the machine.

If this plane came out of the air due to fuel starvation, was in mechanical, and do the folks that work on these craft keep detailed records of hours of use on parts? I know, with anything that I am trusting my life to, records are key.
Being a 501c3, are these records viewable by public folks? Probably not, I would guess, especially if the inventory is unknown

womenfly2 · 22 October 2009, 06:56 PM

ORA being a 501c3 corporation, you have the legal right to view these records. Anyone does. If they do not let you see them, you have the right to file a complaint with the state and the FED's, also the IRS.

ONEALM · 22 October 2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Probably not, I would guess, especially if the inventory is unknown

No inventory ? For shame ! What kind of proper, well managed, competently run museum doesn't keep an inventory. My goodness how would they ever know if something was missing ? I mean, if an engine just suddenly disappeared for example, how would anyone know it was even gone, or could even identify it as belonging to the museum if it turned up stolen ? Seems like a fundamental exercise in fiduciary responsibility.

Unless of course you were not taking a proper inventory on purpose.

I'd love to hear an explanation from anyone at ORA why there is no comprehensive inventory of the museum holdings nor an inventory of the airframes....

Even better, I would love to be proven wrong and be informed there IS an inventory, complete and comprehensive and that anyone would be allowed to view it....

Anyone at ORA want to step up on that one ? Anyone at all....

Well, you've got ALL winter. Maybe it would be a good project for the off season. The good news is it won't take anywhere near as long as it would have just a few years ago....

Be sure to post it where we can get a good long look at it....

Bitz Dr1 · 22 October 2009, 09:48 PM

[QUOTE=ONEALM;467456

Well, you've got ALL winter. Maybe it would be a good project for the off season. The good news is it won't take anywhere near as long as it would have just a few years ago....

Be sure to post it where we can get a good long look at it....[/QUOTE]

Seasoned wit, that was.

What is displayed is clear to being part of the inventory, and the former web site showed a ton of wheeled machines. Do these still get displayed at the shows in running order?