Pencil Pusher grounds the Collings Tour in Reno...

[Warbirdnerd]

An insurance coverage issue is grounding the Collings Foundation's Wings of Freedom Tour of World War II airplanes at Reno Stead Airport, a foundation official confirmed Tuesday night.

Earlier in the evening, KRNV-TV News 4 in Reno reported that a vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and North American P-51 Mustang can be displayed to visitors on the ground but cannot offer flights.
That is because of concerns from the airport involving the amount of insurance coverage required, the station reported.
Click here to read the News 4 story
Bob Collings, founder of the Collings Foundation, told the RGJ that his group has not experienced these insurance-coverage amount concerns in other cities.
Collings expressed disappointment for veterans visiting the World War II planes. He also said a news conference is planned for 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the issue at the Reno Stead Airport.
“It’s purely an insurance issue for us,” airport spokesman Brian Kulpin told the RGJ on Wednesday night.
“What happened was the first level of insurance was put in place when we were not aware of the amount of public flying they were doing,” he said. “Once we learned that they could be flying as many as six people at a time, the insurance had to go to a higher level.”
Kulpin said the airport has a history of supporting the military and military history.


“We have a reputation for that,” he said. “We love the warbirds. We’d love for them to be able to fly. But as much as we love history, we have to protect the future of the airport, as well. That’s why they have to have the right level of insurance.”
Event organizer Hunter Chaney told the RGJ for a recent story that the planes would be on static display, allowing visitors to walk through the larger planes, while rides aboard the aircraft would be available at a premium.
The planes are to be on display from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday. The display began Monday at the Reno Stead Airport.

Found it here:
http://www.rgj.com/article/20130604/NEW ... ad-Airport

[ZRX61]

How can these imbeciles not know that CF offers flights??

[N3Njeff]

Am I reading this right?? Reno? As in home of the air races?? WTF

[wendovertom]

You would not believe the amount of fertilizer that government entities can dish out. I had been in touch with Ken about trying to navigate the absurd rules in Utah to get the Wings tour here in Wendover - maybe next year but trust me it is sad to hear but it does not surprise me. Might it also be Reno doing a "CYA" since after the crash they are under more scrutiny for all airport activity?

Tom P.

[B25PBYGUY]

Firstly, this is not the first time Collings has experienced this requirement. And, it's not new. We all have had to refrain from certain airports for years now, due to the local airport boards requiring an amount of liability insurance the operators can't even purchase. They know it can't be bought, and thats how they keep the operators out.
That's the way it is folks. It effectively 'zones out' noise concerns etc.

[famvburg]

And why is it Reno's business what happens in the air? There's a bigger chance of someone getting injured on the ground looking around than in flight. Does Reno own the airspace above them? Anyway, this typical absurdity is just like the many airports, mostly small, that don't have a shop or another aviation business on the field because the governing bodies just don't understand that the ratio of net income just doesn't work out compared to the insurance expenditure in many cases at small airports. I know of a number of airports that are perfectly happy not having a mechanic on site because if they did have one, he'd have to pay out 90% of his net for insurance and most mechanics can't work for an insurance payment. Not airport, but my town a few years ago shut down both cab services with their cosmetic and excessive insurance demands. The business wasn't here to justify the expenses so we had no cabs for a couple of years until a new administration came in and made more sensible requirements. Governing bodies don't care what a cost is to anyone else. They'd rather go without businesses all because of their overbearing insurance demands.

[JimH]

This is an unfortunate situation. We gave flight experiences Monday and Tuesday without issue. The airport manager came to us at 4PM Tuesday, right before the afternoon B-17 flight, and informed us that he had been talking to the Airport Authority and they came to the decision that we needed to increase our per passenger insurance premium. As an aside, I believe the King County issue was per aircraft.

Ken worked well in advance with the powers that be at Reno to make sure we complied with thier insurance demands and at the 11th hour they changed thier minds, rendering us a static display. We still completed around 10 flights before notice was given. We also left ALOT of dissappointed and somewhat angry people on the ground that were booked for Mustang and B-17 rides this morning before we departed. Although the customers understood why, AND not an issue with us, they were not happy with the Reno Airport Authority. The planned press conference at the airport this morning did not happen, nor did we hear from the media. I did speak to the airport manager, who was very understanding and worked hard to bring us to his airport. He indicated that he would work diligently to get us back into Stead Field next year without issue. Reno is an aviation oriented town and the negative publicity garnered by the Airport Authority won't sit well with the locals. Will it affect the Air Races? No. The Collings Foundation issues will long be forgotten when race week comes around. I truely believe that the NCAR is first and foremost on the minds of the Airport Authority and convincing them that we are flying production quality aircraft, not highly modified vintage aircraft will be difficult at best . With the economic impact the Races hold for the city of Reno, I get the feeling that they would rather only open the airport during race week. Will we go back?, only time will tell. I think we will be going to Lake Tahoe and or Truckee in the coming years.

We would like to thank the efforts of the Airport Manager and thank all the people, including ALOT of veterans, that came out to support the Wings of Freedom tour in Reno. We had a great turn out and we look forward to returning to the area in coming years.

Jim Harley

[rvr1800]

Any info on why the annual stop in McKinleyville, CA (KACV) was not on the schedule this year? Lots of bummed family members. Seems like the logical stop between STS and OTH? Maybe next year please?