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MINI NEWSLETTER #40.4 JULY 20, 1993

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MINI NEWSLETTER #40.4 JULY 20, 1993

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORATION 13527 Crescent Road, Surrey, BC, V4P 1J5 Phone (604) 535-1115, FAX (604) 535-3292

ANNUAL SUMMER BARBECUE / GENERAL MEETING / VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT FRIDAY JULY 30, 1993

at the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation grounds.

MENU:

  • Hamburger, fries, salad and coffee or pop.
  • Time: Bar opens at 6:00
  • Food served at 7:00
  • General Meeting starts at 8:00
  • Members and guests welcome!
  • TOP 20 VOLUNTEERS AND ONE GUEST: FREE EVERYBODY ELSE: $4.00

Tickets at door. Please phone and reserve a seat.

Door prizes as usual

This is an outdoor event, so dress accordingly. We will try to arrange for a (free) tent for shelter, but no guarantees.

HOMESITE SAGA REPORT

June 30, 1995 is the deadline for moving off the present site.

A CHRONOLOGY OF CMFT’S HOMESITE PROBLEMS WAS FEATURED IN MINI NEWSLETTER # 40.3 MAY 21, 1993.

Following is a very brief outline:

  • 1972: The idea of an aviation and transportation museum germinated and collection begins.
  • 1977: Incorporation as a Non-Profit Society, and registration as a Charity. Memberships invited. Province of B.C. refused to help establish a homesite for the CMFT and for other collections of transportation items..
  • 1981: Federal Government promise to locate on Boundary Bay airport cancelled. The first “Open House” held.
  • 1983: Surrey expropriated present site from owners.
  • 1985: The Museum opened on a daily (seasonal) basis. During all this time, diligent efforts to find a suitable, affordable, and sustainable homesite for the CMFT pursued.
  • 1988: Surrey purchased a 54 acre near Cloverdale, of which 18 acres earmarked for lease to the Museum. Funding requests to Feds denied, GO BC funding looked hopeful but did not materialize.
  • 1990: Necessary permissions granted by the Agricultural Land Commission to operate on the Cloverdale site.
  • 1992: The BC Transportation Museum closed, making a move to the Cloverdale site impractical. April,
  • 1993: Surrey council refused our request to remain on present site, and gave notice to vacate by June 30, 1995.

SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT IT?

The option to move to the Cloverdale site is still open, but still not affordable.

CMFT must find a suitable facility with a friendly landlord who will allow CMFT to own and keep buildings. Or, donors must be found to enable the CMFT to purchase its own land, where buildings and improvements do not revert to the landlord after 20 years.

Ideally, a new site would incorporate or have provision for a viable and compatible business or tourist attraction to ensure the successful operation of the complex. Others

This is the route taken by other successful museums and it could work for CMFT. Provision for inclusion of other transportation related collection organizations on the site is desirable.

Funding from the corporate and private sector is our best hope, but prospective donors need assurance of stability and success.

It can be done. Those among our membership who are willing to share their fundraising or organizational skills, provide influential contacts or in some other way work towards solving this old problem are encouraged to come forward.

HOMESITE MEETING

Only 20 people attended the June 4th meeting called to review the situation and make plans for the future. Still, it was an excellent meeting, and a number of decisions were made, including:

CMFT must be prepared to sell some of the collection in order to save the rest. A list of holdings is being drawn up, with an estimate of their fair market value.

The Cloverdale site, under the terms of the lease offered, is not viable.

Alternate locations discussed include Boundary Bay, Pitt Meadows, Langley, Chilliwack, Abbotsford Airports and Delta Airpark. These have all been contacted and meetings are being held to determine feasibility of each location.

A follow-up meeting will be scheduled once the results of the various meetings and holdings list is complete.

NON SEQUITUR

THE MOST PLAUSIBLE CONCEPTION of HELL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1993/1994

Dines, Don Morelli, Carol

Emerslund, Bill . Morrison, lan

Fraser, Doug Thompson, Bill

Heinemann, Steve Vernon, Jerry

Holmes, Neil Zalesky, Ed

McWilliams, Ron Zalesky, Rose

Meadows, Jack

LIFE GOVERNORS

Jackson, Barry

COMMITTEES 1993/1994

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT…………..Jerry Vernon….420-6065 VICE PRESIDENT….Bill Thompson..883-2445 SECY/TREAS……….Rose Zalesky…535-1115 STANDING COMMITTEES .Tom Palmer .Vacant MEMBERSHIP VANCOUVER ISLAND… VOLUNTEERS ……… Carol Morelll….538-0741 CORPORATE LIASON PUBLIC RELATIONS …Vacant SPECIAL EVENTS… Carol Morelli….538-0741 ABBOTSFORD AIR..Lori Cockerill….535-6465 NEWSLETTER…Rose Zalesky…535-1115 RESTORATION…….. Mark Zalesky…535-1115 PHOTO COMPUTER REPROD….Don Olson……..321-9707 MAINTENANCE……. Bill Emerslund (see note) FLYING LIBRARY Mark Zalesky…535-1115 .Neil Simpson…535-1115 COLLECTIONS……..Ed Zalesky…….535-1115 TRANSPORTATION.Tony Hudak MEETINGS/ENTERTAINMENT………Vacant AD HOC COMMITTEES HAMPDEN……………Fred Gardham.681-6886 HOMESITE…. .Ed Zalesky…….535-1115

Brad Thomas, Michael Reid

LOUSY WEATHER HURTS ATTENDANCE! SUMMER CANCELLED

On those few days that the sun shines, visitor counts exceed last year’s, including more foreign visitors than ever. But, there have been too many cold and rainy days when visitors stay away, so attendance is not showing the overall increase expected.

ROTTEN WEATHER CURBS ATTEN- DANCE AT WINGS & WHEELS ’93

Lots of new exhibits, great flying exhibits, great co-operation from newspapers and especially Inside BC, and all preparations were on time and on budget, and we even had all the shelters (tents) needed, so it should have been the best Wings & Wheels by far. But it rained. Needless to say, most of the flying displays had to be can- .Stunden, Ron celled, and, while everyone did their best, it was not the fun day that it should have been. Instead of 4,000 to 5,000 visitors, only 1,097 brave souls turned out. Still, business was brisk in the gift shop (warm and dry place to wait out the showers), and the used magazine sales tent did well.

A special thank you to the volunteers who did their best under less than ideal conditions.

3RD ALL-NISSAN MEET JULY 18

Nissan Canada sponsored this year’s ALL-NISSAN MEET for the Datsun Roadster Association, which was held on the Museum grounds. Perfect weather, good promotion and organization resulted in the best Nissan event yet. 842 visitors came through the gates to view the more than 130 registered show cars.

All scheduled flying events went as scheduled, and a great crew in the food booth served up lots of good food. Proceeds from a “guess how long the engine will run at full speed without blowing up” contest, the food booth, and the extra visitors provided welcome extra funds.

MUSEUM FEATURED IN SEVERAL TV SHOWS

White Rock Cable 4 produced a 30 minute feature on the museum and its current problems, which is currently being shown on the Shaw Cable network. Thanks to Brad Thomas for tour guide duties, and to Jack Meadows for his eloquent overview of the Museum and its plans.

Delta Cable 4 filmed a 30 minute documentary featuring four of the aviation pioneers (Joe Bertalino, Bryan Mahon, Ewan Boyd and Fred Gardham) who were featured In the Museum’s book “Pioneering Aviation In the West”.

Ideal weather and over 130 display Nissan and Datsun cars combined to make the The All-Nissan Meet on July 18 a great success.

NEW MEMBERS NEEDED

We now have more than 2,100 members, but only about 800 are paid up. More members are needed. It is the members who make policy, and who also do 99.9% of all the work. Those who cannot help by providing time and expertise are helping by simply being paid up members. Benefits include cash savings on purchases in the gift shop, receipt of this and the “Maxi” newsletters, and a chance to help preserve our aviation heritage.

Aviation is changing. The trappings and relics of the old days are disappearing at an alarming rate. While the nostalgia is still there, collecting and displaying the airplanes and related items that illustrate aviation history are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and still more difficult to house.

Since it became trendy to collect warbirds and other airplanes and items illustrative of aviation history, prices have soared and availability dropped. New Revenue Canada rules are making it less attractive to make substantial donations to charities.

New ways must be found to do our work within the framework of the changing times. If you know of anyone who could be interested in helping with the work, at any level, please try to persuade him or her to join and become involved.

All membership categories provide the member with free admission to the CMFT during regular open hours, and (excepting Friend) are entitled to a 10% discount on most items in the gift shop.

Commencing about a year ago, donors of significant items are issued a “Friend” membership for one year.

Many of these people are now renewing and we are very pleased to welcome them. Membership dues are used to produce the newsletter and pay for its postage, and there is never enough in the fund to cover costs.

If each member brought in one new member, we could have more frequent full newsletters and more “Mini’s” to keep you better informed.

Membership categories are:

  • GENERAL… $20.00
  • FAMILY (at same address)…… $30.00
  • FRIEND $10.00
  • LIFETIME. $300.00

NATURE NEWS BULLETIN

The humming birds are gone, so are the Tree Swallows (the ones which have short tails and white chests). The starlings are still creating lots of trouble. The Barn Swallows are almost ready to go. Tigger, the museum cat dragged in an unfledged nestling (from an unknown nest) which we are trying to nurse back to health- much to Tigger’s disgust in time to join the imminent migration of its ilk..

The other feathered and furred friends of the museum are all going about their usual business of living.

MALL DISPLAY CREW NEEDED

During the early years, the Museum organized regular shopping centre displays, which served to increase public awareness of the museum, as well as generating new members, volunteers and donations. These displays always Included an airplane as a centre piece.

In those early years, volunteers were helping to build up airplanes for display – a fun thing to do, and a good “hook” to attract more volunteers. Unfortunately, to maintain credibility in the world museum community, restorations must now meet museum quality standards, which is difficult to achieve with a constantly changing labour pool.

The dream of having airplanes to display on site is now a reality. Unfortunately, maintaining them in clean condition is not as exciting as making new ones. The focus now is on operating the museum rather than building exhibits for the museum. Volunteer skill needs have changed accordingly. We now need office and gift shop personnel, public relations and promotion, and someone to cut the grass.

There is still a need for helpers on aircraft projects people who are willing to do some of the less glamorous and more mundane tasks. Regular helpers will still help with restorations, providing that they can follow instructions and demonstrate ability and Interest.

A well organized shopping mall display crew could provide all these things for the museum and more. Who out there is willing to take on this task and organize the entire job.

A capable organizers who is willing to provide continuity will be given the responsibility of transportating the entire display, including the aircraft to the mall, setting it up, and removing it later and lining up staff for everything involved with the display.

Any offers?

TV AND RADIO COVERAGE, CONTINUED

Delta Cable 4 produced a 30 minute Tour of the Museum during Wings & Wheels ’93. Thanks again to Jack Meadows for his excellent narrative, and to Cable 10 for coming out in the rain. Look for this excellent presentation to be shown regularly on the Rogers Cable network.

Rogers Cable Surrey included a short Interview with Lori Cockerill and Brad Thomas to promote Wings & Wheels and the All-Nissan Meet.

Lotto Night In BC spot. How many of you noticed the 30 second glimpse of the Museum’s Fleet Finch in a recent Saturday Night promotion for BC Lotteries?

INSIDE BC PROMOTION

Tourism BC featured Wings & Wheels during the preceding two weeks. Great promotion!

BUSY SUMMER FOR TRAVELLING GIFT SHOP

The Museum’s portable gift shop put on a few miles this year, attending Langley Days In June and Canada Day (Bear Creek Park) in July. It is scheduled to go out to the Pitt Meadows Airport 30th Anniversary Celebration on July 24, and Chilliwack Flight Fest in September. The extra revenue earned is being put to good use.

COMING EVENTS

  • ⚫ JULY 23 Kidsummer Free Day
  • ⚫JULY 24 Pitt Meadows 30th An
  • JULY 26-30 Children’s Sky Camp
  • JULY 30 BARBEQUE AT CMFT
  • ⚫AUG 2-6 Children’s Sky Camp
  • ⚫AUG 6, 7, 8 Abbotsford Air Show
  • • SEPT 11 Chilliwack Flight Fest
  • ⚫ SEPT 12 British & European Car Meet
  • • ОСТ 1 BCIT Sport Aircraft Conference
  • • ОСТ 15 Fall Dinner General Meeting

ABBOTSFORD AIR SHOW 1993

For the 15th or 16th year, the CMFT will be at the Abbotsford Airshow, but not to sell our own goods as In the “good old days”. Changing times resulted in new Abbotsford Airshow Society policy being implemented a few years ago, where the role of the local non-profit socletles (Including the CMFT) has changed dramatically. In the past, NPO’s were given space to erect their own concession stands and displays, which we all stocked and ran as we saw fit (with some restrictions), and we all kept any profits made or swallowed any losses.

Gradually, the Abbotsford Airshow Society itself has taken over more and more of the concesslons, with the NPOs providing labour only, but still sharing in some of the profits.

Commencing with the 1992 airshow, The Airshow Society contracted with Umbrella Foods, a professional air show concession operator to handle the concession functions, and the role of the NPOS is now to provide volunteers for whatever purpose they are needed. The number of NPO’s has increased to more than 40, with the NPOS share of the “pie” becoming ever smaller. This year, for example, the CMFT is to provide 18 people each day, to work in the food concessions as well as souvenir booths.

The Abbotsford Airshow has “grown up”. It is now operated exactly the same as every other major airshow in Canada and the US and consists entirely of military and big dollar paid acts. Gone is the spontenaity, the variety and the charm-in the name of progress and profit. Still, studies (which seem to Increase exponentially) Indicate that this is what people (who do not fly) want. Perhaps it is. We must accept the fact that the airshow is now marketed as a product designed to appeal to a larger audience – not just to the the avlation enthusiast, and we have to live with it the best way that we can.

Lori Cockerill (535-1115 or 535-6465) is the Airshow Committee this year, and needs more workers (not talkers) – especially for Friday and Saturday. Hours are 6:00 AM (leave the Museum) to 7:00 PM (arrive back). If you can stand the pace, and you can sell (that is what it Is all about now), or help with the stock re-supply (lots of walking) please offer your help. Loan of a passenger van is also needed.

February, 1993. Bob Gordon and Inky Klett assist with the loading of the starboard Hampden centre section. Rebuild on this component is now complete and it is due to be reinstalled on the airplane. The undercarriage has been overhauled, with the assistance of ConAir Aviation, J & M Fibreglass, Larry Woida, Allan Wood, Don Dines, and of course Fred Gardham.

An overview of the museum’s display area, taken during the All-Nissan Meet

MEMBERSHIP DUES DUE?

Please check your address label, which lists the expiry date of your membership at the top right corner. If you are overdue, or nearly so, please send in your cheque. We need you!

“PIONEERING AVIATION IN THE WEST” BOOK

We urge members to sell copies to their friends and acquaintances. It is an important source of revenue, and besides – it’s a good book.

Members are also asked tocheck if your local bookstore have it on their shelf. If not, ask the owner to stock it. The publisher is Hancock House. or retailers can buy wholesale from CMFT.

328 pages, over 150 black and white photos and a very complete index lists names of people, companies, organization, places and airplane types mentioned. Chances are you will recognize some of the names. Refer to the sample index pages elsewhere this newsletter.

Selling price is $22.95 ($20.66 member price) +7% GST + postage of $2.78, or pick up your copy at the Museum and save postage.