World War 1 Aeroplanes, Inc., and Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum

[cfgray]

After the recent flurry of postings on the "Rhinebeck Museum trouble" thread I thought it was probably necessary to restate that I believe it is of utmost importance to establish and maintain a dialogue with the current Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum Board of Trustees, the legally recognized body, even while pursuing other avenues.
I remain hopeful that such conversations can only serve to improve the current situation.
Best,
cfgray

[cfgray]

Today, RAM Board of Trustees President Terry McClinch and I discussed the draft notes of our conference call and have agreed to the following statement. Please note that discussions are to continue, certainly a hopeful and welcome state of affairs.

Best,
cfgray
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On the morning of 11 March 2006, Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum ("RAM")President Terry McClinch, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Airshows ("ORAA") President James E. Kick (who joined the conversation mid-call), and Rhinebeck Board of Trustees Member William Segalla, placed a conference call to WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., Board Chair Carroll Gray. President McClinch, who initiated the conference call, was focused on the positive and stated that he appreciated the offer of help made by WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., made in its letter of 16 February 2006.

WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., Board Chair Gray stated that WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., held no personal animosity with respect to any of the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Board of Trustees members and that the approach taken by WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., is to clarify the record and assist as we can to put things at RAM/ORAA on an even more stable footing.

The specific topics discussed and the statement made were:

1) The RAM's 1929 New Standard D-25 (NC176H) and 1929 Curtiss Fledgling are currently hangared at the Peachtree Aerodrome, Williamson, Georgia, near Atlanta. Peachstate Aerodrome, Ron Alexander’s shop, repaired the D-25 after a crash at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on 30 July 2002. The D-25 awaits a new propeller hub to complete repairs. The RAM Board of Trustees stated that there are no liens against the two airplanes and all work has been paid for. The 1929 New Standard D-25 (NC176H) and the 1929 Curtiss Fledgling are not being held by Peachtree Aerodrome for unpaid bills. The 1929 Curtiss Fledgling is having its fuselage repaired by Hank and Bill Palmer in Florida and its wings repaired at Peachstate Aerodrome. Both airplanes are expected to participate during this season at Rhinebeck.

2) There are no plans to move operations to Georgia or Missouri or to any other state. Rhinebeck Aerodrome will continue to be the primary base of operation for RAM and ORAA.

3) The $66,206 deficit reported on the RAM's 2004 Form 990 reflects a portion of the cost of the new hangar facility and during 2005 this deficit was paid. There is no current operating deficit. The 2005 Form 990 will reflect a positive balance. RAM Board of Trustee President McClinch stated that no funds are being borrowed to open the 2006 season.

4) There will be a normal season at Rhinebeck Aerodrome this year. The flying portion of this year's activities at Rhinebeck Aerodrome will be normal in scope and level of activity.

5) Regarding the missing GNOME rotary engine s/n B11559, all Board of Trustees members participating in the conference call stated that they, individually and collectively, want to have GNOME rotary engine B11559 returned. They also stated that their belief is that it has been stolen. There is currently an ongoing investigation being conducted by a New York State Troopers Investigator. A crime report had been filed "within a reasonable time" after the discovery, on 21 January 2006, that GNOME rotary engine B11559 was missing. The grounds of Rhinebeck Aerodrome were thoroughly searched by two individuals. There was no forced entry into the locked carriage house where GNOME rotary engine B11559 was stored.

6) Chad Wille will act as chief pilot and mechanic during this coming season at Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Tom Daly will be the Airshows Director.

7) The Avro 504 is expected to participate in this season's events at Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

8) RAM Board of Trustees Member Kick stated that Eugene J. Demarco had pled guilty in the earlier Piper Cub matter as a matter of convenience because he did not want to incur large attorney's bills.

9) RAM Board of Trustees Member Kick and RAM President McClinch stated that no detailed inventory of RAM assets currently exists, although one currently being done. The RAM Board of Trustees has asked a museum member to photograph all RAM assets, which is still in process.

10) The RAM Board of Trustees is currently using a Long-Range Plan developed by Museum Staff, Museum Volunteers and Trustees.

11) The RAM Board of Trustees acknowledged that there has been a significant amount of "bad press" regarding operations at RAM and ORAA, but strongly disagrees with the premises of that bad press.

12) The RAM Board of Trustees is interested in knowing specifically what WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., can do to help. WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., Board Chair Gray stated that airing these issues and making public the positions of the RAM Board of Trustees regarding those issues should be seen as help.

Discussions will continue. The WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., Board will prepare a list of specific offers of assistance to the RAM Board of Trustees for their consideration.

These notes have been read and approved by RAM President Terry McClinch and WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., Board Chair Carroll Gray and both agree that these notes accurately reflect the substance of the conversation and the comments made during the conference call of 11 March 2006.
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[AAC Cadet Leader]

Thank you, Mr. Gray and WWI Aeroplanes, Inc. for breaking down the concrete wall of non-communication from the BOT and for offering to mediate the situation. You have opened the door to our ultimate goal of preserving Cole and Rita's dream.

I salute you Mr. Gray for achieving what was thought by most of us here to be "the Impossible"; to establish a two-way communication with the ORA Board.

Discussions will continue. The WW1 AEROPLANES, Inc., Board will prepare a list of specific offers of assistance to the RAM Board of Trustees for their consideration.

Is there anything the rest of us can do along the lines of assistance?

[tazbat]

Originally Posted by cfgray

Today, RAM Board of Trustees President Terry McClinch and I discussed the draft notes of our conference call and have agreed to the following statement. Please note that discussions are to continue, certainly a hopeful and welcome state of affairs.

Best,
cfgray
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I do not endeavor to minimize cfgray's attempt at communicating with the BOT. And it is true, they are currently the legally recognized body of authority at RAM and ORAA. Yet, it should be remembered that this group has voted off and run out the other board members, after which the boards were closed to access by other potential candidates. Such a move is not typical or healthy in the not-for-profit realm.

In view of this rare and brief communication from the board, it should be remembered how past communications have involved fabrications of information that irresponsibly misrepresented the Old Guard. Also, that the BOT acted on those misrepresentation to purge the Aerodrome. The issues behind these events were similarly reflected last year when the Aerodrome went through three certified mechanics. Those people were not fired, but quit before it could be done to them, suggesting that the same problems still exist. It reminds me of a saying a friend used to expound. "If you have a problem and decide to move away, make sure you aren't the problem." I know it doesn't exactly fit the circumstances, but if you think about it, it makes sense. Consider this also. If the problems had been with the employees (Old Guard) as suggested by the BOT, then why did the large community of longtime volunteers up and leave? If the incriminations of the BOT were truthful, the lion's share of the volunteers should have remained to carry on with the trustees. Yet, just the opposite occurred. The volunteer group was comprised of many individuals with valuable skills and knowledge, unique to the Aerodrome environment. They weren't uneducated simpletons that were clueless of the events evolving around them, acting on misguided passion for the Old Guard. On top of this, many were reportedly encouraged to leave by the BoT.

I remember Bill Horrigan saying that the Old Guard would be welcomed back if they wished to return. Now, that tells me something is not right in the hen house. Why would the trustees want to hire back the ones they fired under the given impressions that those employees had committed crimes. Jan Durand's incriminating stories gave the trustees the impetus to be rid of the Old Guard.

Are the trustees willing to open the Board or to keep it locked down as before? When I suggest open the board, I mean to anyone with proper qualifications. Only the last time a local official asked to be considered for the board, he was outright rejected. So, just saying the board will be opened really doesn't mean anything in itself if the current trustees aren't in an accepting mood. If they have indeed done as good a job as they claim, then they should have no fears for their positions in an open board.

To extrapolate the essence of my concern here... don't take the BOT at their words without making them put their money where their mouths are. At this stage, TRUST and RESPECT must be things earned.

Salute!

[cfgray]

GREAT NEWS!
The Missing GNOME rotary engine (B11559) has been found - I have just confirmed this with the New York State Troopers. It was located this past Saturday in the basement of Cole & Rita's house, an area which had been searched soon after it was discovered missing.
The concern and publicity regarding its disappearance no doubt aided its recovery.
Best,
cfgray

[Biber]

SHAZAM!!!!!!

Gee, how'd it get there?

Biber

[tazbat]

What great news! The missing Gnome has be discovered in a place where it hadn't been earlier.

That still suggests someone removed it in an effort to keep the game plan a secret. We still don't know the game plan or the perpetrator(s). Why isn't this surprising. Just like the time a set of wheels were discovered removed from their resting place, and mysteriously showed up later, but in a different location. The person(s) who is involved isn't very bright about this. Two identical scenarios should lead to suspicions of who or whom. The trustees were very zealous about tossing the Old Guard on allegations that didn't ring true. Let's see how much zeal they show pursuing this event. I hope the Police identifies everyone who has exclusive access to the aerdrome, day or night? Who has limited access and to where? Unless it was a forced entry, it should be pretty easy to narrow down the possiblities.

Here is an interesting article from the Atlantic Flyer, done by Cadwalader at Large.
http://aflyer.com/images/PDF%20April/page39.html

Salute!

I was lookin on the Aerodrome web site and there has been more info here about the missin engine. The museum didn't even mention that the engine had disappeared. You'd think the directors would have made it public for obvious reasons. I don't understand their decision to be mute about it. Other real board of directors would have put the word out right away in the local newspapers as well as the official rag. Maybe it is because of their aberrant way of reasonin - like twice hirin a pilot with a felony conviction. Or what about rehirin a mechanic that has a reputation in some aviation circles as bein a joke, and dangerous.

Oh what a shambles the Aerodrome has become. Is there no deliverance for the collection? Where is all the justice Mark Spitzer is always jawin about? He probably has no clue about this affair only a few miles north of him. What a sad state of affairs for a museum that represents an international period of history. Remember it also represent an empire that had its birth in New York, namely that of Glenn Curtiss.

Maybe I should come down and invite them director boys out for some quail huntin – Cheney style. Would ya mind?

Maybe I should come down and invite them director boys out for some quail huntin – Cheney style. Would ya mind?

Air Male - How 'bout taking the engine thieves out on your hunting trip?