Poberezny: Not A "Hostile Takeover", But Groups Pursuing Separate Agendas

The two sides haven't exactly shaken hands, but it appears both the Experimental Aircraft Association and The Last Time are moving forward with separate agendas to honor the 75th anniversary of the Douglas DC-3 next month.

In comments to ANN Tuesday, Tom Poberezny, Chairman and President of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Chairman of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, noted that EAA "is getting beat up a little bit" over the organization's announcement May 26 that it would "exclusively organize and coordinate all AirVenture activities for the DC-3 75th anniversary." He has agreed to appear on the Aero News Special Feature June 2 to provide EAA's perspective on the matter.

On its website, The Last Time characterized the shift as a "hostile takeover." The group has been planning a DC-3/C-47 reunion weekend at Whiteside County Airport (KSQI) in Illinois, about 143 nm from Oshkosh, Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25. When first publicized last year, The Last Time's stated intent was to stage at Whiteside Monday morning, then join in a formation of as many as 40 aircraft for an overflight of Wittman Field and mass arrival at AirVenture.

Both sides have complained of inadequate communication in putting that last part together. Sources within The Last Time complain of dozens of unreturned messages to EAA inquiring about planning details, while EAA has been trying to gather individual contact information for anyone bringing a DC-3 into what is, for a week each year, the world's busiest airport.

EAA's announcement of changes in plans for the celebration, in addition to being attacked as a "hostile takeover," drew reports from sources within The Last Time of a plot by EAA to designate a separate, competing staging event at another airport, where EAA would also gain control over admission fees, merchandise, parking and concessions.

Dick Knapinski, EAA's Director of Media and Public Relations, told ANN this week that at no time did EAA plan to create anything at an alternate airport simply to charge admission or sell merchandise. Poberezny has added that the idea for a separate staging airport had already been abandoned before the May 26 public statement, in deference to the considerable time, effort and expense already committed by businesses and volunteers at KSQI. In both direct correspondence and public statements, EAA wishes The Last Time well with the event at Whiteside.

The bottom line for fans of the DC-3 and C-47 appears to be that anyone wanting to see the big formation will need to arrive a couple days early, and drive a couple hours south from Oshkosh, where they'll at least find free admission at Whiteside County Airport. AirVenture attendees will probably see a smaller, but still impressive arrival of DC-3s and C-47s, and the lineup of related events during the week remains extraordinary.
 
Hear ANN's interview with Tom Poberezny on Wednesday's Aero News Special Feature.

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.thelasttime.org, www.aero-news.net/podcasts/casts/3/ann-special-feature-2010-06-02.mp3