Check Out Today's Aero-Cast For Part 1 Of Our Series on This Controversy

TheLastTime.org, the group which has been raising funding and arranging logistics for the staging of 40 or more DC-3s before a formation arrival at Oshkosh this year, says its plan to stage at Whiteside Airport in Illinois is still a "go", despite an 'attempt' by the Experimental Aircraft Association to take over the staging and move it to an alternate airport.

EAA last week issued a statement asserting its exclusive control over the arrival, and asking DC-3 pilots planning to take part to register directly with EAA to receive essential information.

But Whiteside Airport Manager Mike Dowell tells ANN it went much further, and quoted EAA VP Adam Smith, who has served in the past as Director of Aircraft Attractions for Airventure, as telling The Last Time group that EAA would announce a new staging airport in two weeks, and would expect DC-3 owners to change their plans.

In communications on the issue with ANN so far, EAA has not denied an intent to designate a different staging airport, but does say the issue had nothing to do with enhancing its own revenue opportunities.

EAA has provided ANN with a copy of correspondence from EAA Chairman and President Tom Poberezny to DC-3 owner and pilot Dan Gryder, also identified in public records as the registrant for TheLastTime.org website, decrying a lack of appropriate communication from his group, asserting that all DC-3 activities taking place at AirVenture must be under EAA's direct control, and expressing a concern that all DC-3 enthusiasts, whether part of TheLastTime or not, be welcomed without exclusions.

It's unfortunate that this dispute went public without the details necessary to understand the issues. Whiteside Airport Manager Mike Dowell is ANN's guest on today's Aero News Special Feature, and we're awaiting confirmation of a request for an interview with Tom Poberezny. We'll hope to bring you that tomorrow.

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.thelasttime.org