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.
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