But Tenants Who Filed Suit Will Seek Changes In Oversight For 2018 Show

The group of plaintiffs filing suit against Planes of Fame have withdrawn the motion for a preliminary injunction of the 2017 air show. This action will allow the air show to proceed as planned on May 6th and 7th, 2017. The plaintiffs will continue legal action in their pursuit of fair operations for future air shows at the Chino Airport.

“We do not want others to be harmed, as we have been every year, by the unfair actions of Planes of Fame. We decided to drop the preliminary injunction for the sake of attendees and vendors – those who have purchased tickets, those who have made travel arrangements, and those who are there to sell goods, services, and food. We hope to see a change in the way Planes of Fame operates this year’s air show now that a light has been shed on the ongoing issues they have refused to resolve,” said Christen Wright, Director of Yanks Air Museum.
 
The plaintiffs filed suit against Planes of Fame last month after numerous attempts to resolve ongoing issues that have worsened in recent years. The plaintiffs allege that these issues include intentional attempts to physically block and obstruct their businesses before, during, and after the air show. The decision to withdraw the motion for a preliminary injunction was made after the original hearing scheduled on April 20th was postponed to April 28th because of a conflict with the original judge assigned to the case.
 
“We were getting too close to the air show. We tried to start conversations with Planes of Fame immediately after the 2016 air show but they were unwilling to sit down and create a binding agreement. We were tired of having meetings where they would agree to a plan and then not keep their word. Even after filing suit, they made no effort to resolve this out of court,” said Michael Thayer, President of Flying Tigers Aviation.
 
The five businesses that filed suit include Yanks, which operates an aircraft museum with more than 200 planes, an aviation fuel supplier, the landlord of one flight school, and the operators of two other flight schools. Moving forward, the plaintiffs will seek a speedy court date for future legal matters to avoid affecting third parties who have no control over Planes of Fame’s behavior.
 
“We are trying to create a healthy and positive environment for everyone. We will continue to take a stand for what we believe is right and will continue to offer Planes of Fame the opportunity to resolve this outside of court,” Wright said.

(Source: Yanks Air Museum news release)

FMI: www.planesoffame.org