Removal of 2 CAF General Staff Members

[Scott Apple]

I would like for all CAF membership on WIX to weigh in on the removal of Graham Robertson and Floyd Houdashell from the General Staff on 1-16-2010. I would like to see how many of us think this was a bad move by the Staff that was voted in by the General Membership to represent us.
Thanks,

[RyanShort1]

As a non-CAF member, how about keeping it "in house" until more is known... gossip and gripes aren't always the best way to affect change. Remember, some of the guys mentioned in that article post or lurk here. I for one hope they still feel welcome and appreciated whatever shakes out of this.

Ryan

[Scott Apple]

I hope they feel welcome as well, and would love to hear from all.

[Obergrafeter]

Dirty politics is well and good in other than Mass.!!!! Wonder how people would feel if Congress just sent all the Republicans home and saved all the seats for Dems? Still don't know how the majority of a board of directors can just unseat the minority members and send them home. Probably the dumbest thing that has happened in Midland yet. And no I have nothing against the new named members and can call each one a friend........it's just the way things went.

[Oscar Duck]

no secrets boys: A Palace Coup methinks!

http://www.oaoa.com/news/museum-41879-s ... ytext.html

[RyanShort1]

no secrets boys: A Palace Coup methinks!

http://www.oaoa.com/news/museum-41879-s ... ytext.html

There's a poll there off to the side if you do such things...

Ryan

[FG1D Pilot]

If you don't know the whole story, you're just guessing. That isn't in the best interest of the situation.

[Bill Greenwood]

I am a CAF life member, have been for over 20 years. I don't persoanlly know Floyd, my impression of him is positive, I don't know of the other guy at all. I have known Charlie Hutchins for a long time, he used to be the man who invited me to the show at Ellington each year, and with Tora. And I know Randy Wilson in a similar manner, just being around him at shows and CAF. Both Randy and Charlie seem like good guys, and I have not heard anything bad about them, but I can't really say I know them in depth. You can know someone through aviation and not know them well, and come to find out later they might have an Aggie diploma in their closet, or pictures of nosewheel airplanes on the wall, might even own a poodle.

I really don't know details of the current CAF situation, much less the behind the scene view. I am a little sorry to see any such conflict where there appears to be disagreement between good folks on both sides. One thing I have learned in the past, is that most of the time when you want to see the cause of something it is about money. The CAF realease says that is not so, but I have my doubts. Remember in the movie All The President's Men, the secret source tells the reporter, Woodward, to "follow the money", which then leads right to Nixon. There is a new book out that says you can pretty well determine how an elected official will vote, not on what he says, but by whose money got him elected and keeps him there. Perhaps this is that one side wants more money to go to the static museum than to operations. I sort of doubt that Charlie is there for personal financial gain, but I am not on the inside. I remember the real good ole days of the CAF when there were the great combat planes of WWII and in some cases they were even flown by guys who had fought in them. Now the shows are full of modern stuff and it is even harder to draw crowds. The last time I flew a warbird into Midland for the show I felt like an outsider. My Son and I had a tiring, edge of the seat flight, for me anyway,he had a great time, with really strong headwinds and worries, and when we parked on Fri. we were immediatley told that we were in the wrong place and it was reserved for T-28s. I am old fashioned and I guess naive enough to think that a Spitfire might have a significant place in warbird history, and even more so since the CAF no longer has theirs. My view may be outdated for current CAF.

CAF management, or some of them, know our main problems. CAF is mostly an organiztion of older white guys, with a few exceptions, and our headquarters and our shows are often in places remeoved from large populations or prosperous spending areas. They are not unaware that we are not on the must see list for much of the general population and younger people in general. Being aware and being able to turn it around is different. I wish CAF would and could do something like EAA.s Young Eagles program, but liability is such a concern.

[bdk]

If you don't know the whole story, you're just guessing. That isn't in the best interest of the situation.

What is the situation? Whose story is the accurate one and when will it be made public? Inquiring (internet busybody) minds want to know!

[Scott Apple]

Another article.
http://www.oaoa.com/news/board-41807-caf-museum.html

[Young Shep]

Blog post: http://commemorativeairforce.org/?page= ... _page=1267

[ZRX61]

I wish CAF would and could do something like EAA.s Young Eagles program, but liability is such a concern.

I was at Camarillo airshow last year & a father was asking some CAF members about his kid working on the aircraft during weekends. I thinmk the kid was 12-13. They basically told him to come back when he was 18....

[Dan Newcomb]

The CAF has a Cadet Program for ages 13-23. Our wing based in Camarillo is part of that program. All of our members should know that. If a legitimate member of our wing stated otherwise at the air show he was in error.

Dan

[ZRX61]

The CAF has a Cadet Program for ages 13-23. Our wing based in Camarillo is part of that program. All of our members should know that. If a legitimate member of our wing stated otherwise at the air show he was in error.

Dan

I'll let him know next time I see him

[JBoyle]

...CAF is mostly an organiztion of older white guys....

Can I call the PC police?
I'm not sure what race has to do with their perceptions.
Age perhaps, but as a journalist, I'd get smacked for saying the race...