Warbird Information Exchange

I am number 360.

Marc

Signed today as Number 367...

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In Honor and Memory of Marine Bombing Squadron VMB 611 "Black Seahorse" 1943-1945
Remembering 1st Lt Doit L Fish, MIA May 30, 1945 in PBJ-1J "MB 11"
Cherry Point - Parris Island - Emirau - Zamboanga

First I want to say, thank you to all who signed our petition. Everyone involved thanks you, I know because they say so. We will cause something to happen. Where it will go or how it will end up is still a mystery.

Here's a few things to know for those just coming to the table on prop aircraft being threatened at VNY and around the US. What I'm going to say is to address issues and concerns brought up here in this forum. Dan has brought up some very good points and some people looking in from the outside might just think all of this a some "elitist" problem and why should they care, and as he has mentioned, "The issue is rent increase and a concerted effort to run props out of VNY." Lets not lose sight of that.

This post might sound testy and that's not the intent. I want people to understand what's at stake and what's involved.

Whether or not "the big boys" can afford an increased rent on another space is irrelevant, money is an issue for all and to think otherwise is wrong. The fact is rising rents are affecting everyone - everywhere. The primary issue here is ALL prop planes are being affected and some in-fact have already moved to other locales because they were already forced out. This B-25 is an icon and as such is probably the best thing to draw attention in a most public way. Unfortunately in this day and age, how impressive or attention getting is it going to be if some weather beaten 182s, 172s or some old Grumman Tiger is asking for help and who is going to sympathise with what is going on at VNY affecting all prop aircraft? We stepped in to make some very loud noise where the AOPA seems to have failed, because it affects us too, this isn't meant to be a "chest beating" exercise.

The airport bureaucracy really needs to take a closer here and not be so short-sighted in trying to court and bet on corporations and their BBJs (737s) among others as the most important faction out there.

Lets us use Mike Pupich as an example, he is paying $850.00 a month for a basic open air hangar. It is sufficient and does the job. We are happy with that. Now the city comes along, after we raised "a few eyebrows" with this petition, with a $2000.00 a month offer to help us out on a hangar that hasn't had a tenant in it for several years and is temporary. If that's not a little bit greedy I don't know what is and it stinks. I'd like to see anybody get hit with about a 135% (yes 135%) rent increase and be happy about paying it. What if your car insurance, mortgage payment, apartment rent or the cost of gasoline went up that much? Sounds ok to me, yeah sure I'll pay. Here ya go, cha-ching!

If that's the offer we got, what are the others going to get and at what rate?

As prop aircraft goes, we are not asking anything for free or for the entire airport, but would like some assurances which there aren't. Why doesn't LAWA/VNY build their proposed "Propeller Park" first, then move everybody over there first instead of putting the cart before the horse and causing this mess, unless they don't want us here and are trying to force us out? What is the rush to get all this jet business in there right now anyway?

You can read an article about what's going on printed today at: http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_6009363

Douglas Aiken
http://www.b25.net

Ps. If this is happening in your area, you can do something and you can make a difference. Every little bit helps.

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http://www.b25.net
http://www.combatcamera.org

Here something else, a few facts from the VNY website available to all http://www.lawa.org/vny/

Der "Master Plan"...
http://www.vnymasterplan.org/

This is from the economic impact statement, btw how many airports have a golf course and a Home Depot on them that you know of?:
http://www.lawa.org/vny/economicImpact.cfm

With its close proximity to local communities, business centers, the entertainment industry and recreational facilities, Van Nuys Airport (VNY) serves as a major economic engine in the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles region.

An economic impact study released in 1999 found that VNY attracts both aviation- and non-aviation-related businesses to the San Fernando Valley. Annually, the airport contributes about $1.2 billion to the Southern California economy, supports over 10,000 jobs and generates an earnings impact of $273 million.

VNY is a tax generator rather than a tax user. The facility does not receive local tax dollars toward its operation, but is financed entirely by revenues from lease, rental and user fees. Los Angeles World Airports, as owner and operator, leases space to a variety of tenants that provide aviation- and non-aviation-related services. In doing so, the airport generates $73 million in state and local taxes annually.

In addition, VNY is a focal point for business and industry in the San Fernando Valley. Six major fixed base operators and numerous aviation service companies are located at the airport. These firms provide fuel sales, hangars, tiedown areas, sales and service for aircraft manufacturers, flight and ground school instruction, and air taxi and charter service.

Several non-aviation-related businesses also are located on airport property, including a hotel, a major home improvement store, a golf course complex and restaurants.

More than 300,000 visitors utilize VNY every year, flying on corporate, private and charter aircraft. Travelers appreciate VNY’s convenient location, and many spend money on local hotels, attractions and goods. The average expenditure per visitor is $309, resulting in $96.7 million per year for the economy.

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http://www.b25.net
http://www.combatcamera.org

This very thing is going on at KAGC, and is forcing our CAF squadron to move. The problem is people that don't know sh*$ about airplanes are in charge of the airport.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I live at Tujunga and Magnolia, Douglas. Is there anything "boots on the ground" I can do to help? I drive by VNY amost daily. Never realized they had decided to jump on the "rape the renter" bandwagon but it doesn't surprise me.

Are you fighting to protect your bird or all prop planes at VNY from rent inflation? I get the feeling they would be more willing to bend for one aircraft or organization, which could get them good press, than to give up all that easy money. Let me know if I can do anything for you there--even handing out flyers or whatever isn't below me

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

Douglas,

Are you coming to Eagle Field with "The Bod?"

Yes, I will be coming with "The Bod" next weekend, for those that don't know... http://www.eaglefield.org/dinner.htm

This issue is to help save our resident propeller planes at Van Nuys Airport from rent increases that only corporate jets, increasingly can afford. The "Heavenly Body" just happens to be a very big prop airplane that can draw the attention to the issue.

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http://www.b25.net
http://www.combatcamera.org

Sorry about starting a new thread on this, I missed this one that was already started. Signed the petition.

http://www.eaglefield.net/ The official Eagle Field site. (shameless plugging again)

I wish I could drive up from B Town and join in on the fun! Other commitments I'm affraid. Also "shameless promotion" needs to be done if we are going to survive. Keep on truckin' !!

Dan

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Check out our new website.
CAF SoCal Wing http://www.cafsocal.com/