Barber Airport Officially for Sale

[M Towsley]

As posted by Forrest on Facebook:

http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20150215/NEWS/150219495/1994/NEWS

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

As posted by Forrest on Facebook:

http://www.cantonrep.com/article/201...9495/1994/NEWS

Only a piece of it. He had mentioned doing this once before but nothing ever happened.

[M Towsley]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Yes, only part of it. He has been trying for awhile to lessen the workload. Now a local source told the story to help advertise it.

[M Towsley]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Another recent article: http://the-review.com/local%20news/2...rport-for-sale

[Guest]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

6-8 years ago I asked Forrest right here on the forum about the longevity of the foundation.

I asked about how the foundation functioned and how it would function after he was gone.

Forrest talked about the regular foundation meetings and how it would go on and was not just dependent on him.

That sounds all well and good but a discerning mind may have seen flaws in it.

However I wonder now if there is anyone manning the foundation helm?

Also wonder whether there is or is not will it make a difference?

Forrest is apparently retiring.

Seems like the forum is the big ticket item. Are there any plans or alternatives needed?

Dave

[robbie]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Sure would be nice if some here could get all the drawings in that office lot of information as I remember

[astjp2]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Forrest has been dormant enough that I barely notice now. It would be nice to save the data and parts but its a major investment of time and money that I don't have. Tim

6-8 years ago I asked Forrest right here on the forum about the longevity of the foundation.

I asked about how the foundation functioned and how it would function after he was gone.

Forrest talked about the regular foundation meetings and how it would go on and was not just dependent on him.

That sounds all well and good but a discerning mind may have seen flaws in it.

However I wonder now if there is anyone manning the foundation helm?

Also wonder whether there is or is not will it make a difference?

Forrest is apparently retiring.

Seems like the forum is the big ticket item. Are there any plans or alternatives needed?

Dave

[barnstmr]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

My observation over the past 15 years is that internet forums and social media have pretty much replaced formal organizations that were not already soundly on their own two feet. I am member of many organizations within the aviation community and it seems that without the strength they get from the internet, they would not exist. Some have done better than others to funnel their online strength into the actual off-line organization. Some have had good intentions to have a formal association of its members, but never learned how to use the internet to build from. I am not saying I know the answer for how to do it. I am just making an observation. The bottom line it seems is that it takes a special chemistry for these kind of type clubs to remain active apart from the internet these days. Money is a catalyst and I guess some clubs are more creative and successful at it than others.

I have lost track of both the Taylorcraft Foundation and the Taylorcraft Owners Club. Are either of them doing anything?

All indications are that the Taylorcraft Foundation and the Taylorcraft Owners Club are hanging by a thread (if they are still hanging at all). Yet this forum thrives. This is due mostly to strong participation in the forum by Taylorcraft owners and others who care about them. We've discussed the origin and the ownership of the forum and it looks to me like it took on a life of its own and left the Foundation behind. Evidently there have been appreciative forum participants who've helped funnel monies into the "keeper of the forum" as needed to sustain its existence. Planned or not.... like it or not.... it seems to work. There is also a fairly active Taylorcraft group on Facebook, which seems to be meeting the needs of some folks.

So, as discussed before, Forrest is left with a remnant of a Foundation, which in reality amounts to his own collection of drawings, parts, and memorabilia. I am not sure if anyone (or even he himself) has a accurate idea of what he has and whether its in a useable condition or not. At this point, I don't see him donating it to any sort of organization because there simply isn't one beyond the loosely organized forum participants. So, unless someone comes along to buy out the Taylorcraft collection Forrest has, it may very well end up with whomever ends up owning his airport.

Forrest... if you read this, would you be interested in selling out your Taylorcraft related collection to Certified Aeronautical Products? If so, what's your price and can you provide an inventory of it?

[M Towsley]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Terry,

Though there is a Foundation of some sort, and several of us are 'representatives' other than that I have no clue who else besides us are on it. From what little I know there are others in Alliance involved, but I do not know who those folks are. When I was anointed Midwest rep apparently it was taken before the 'Foundation' for approval. Other than the phone call from Forrest and one meeting held at the fly-in in 2011 I attended I haven't a clue what is going on. I believe the other reps who were appointed along with me, Hank for one, could probably relate the same thing.

Though I am sure there is a lot of Taylorcraft related items at Forrest's, and I have seen some of it, I do not know to what extent. In the past a phone call to Forrest, as well as being a member of the Foundation, would usually get you the information you needed. As one who is not actively restoring a plane I really do not need access to such information. I believe that level of service has dramatically dropped over the last few years leaving a lot of people with ill-will toward the Foundation and Forrest. The TOC was closely tied to the Foundation as Bruce Bixler lived in Ohio and could touch-base with Forrest whenever needed. I believe the current TOC is a rehash of old information and/or whatever the Cub Club prints. That is what I have heard, I do not have first-hand knowledge. I do know TOC, of late, has changed hands back and forth between the same people, (sorry, besides Krog I cannot remember the other folks).

That being said, I am not sure I would be thrilled with having everything Taylorcraft realated that is in Alliance, drawings, etc., go to a for-profit entity. Over the years many people have paid Foundation dues with the hope it goes toward the conservation and access to those drawings, etc. I haven't a clue where the money went or for what reason, but usually a call or visit to Forrest would yield what you needed to see. I have other opinions regarding the current state of the Foundation but really do not feel that expressing them here would be helpful.

I know there are others that are up on this a little more than me and hope they chime in.

[Guest]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

I think that you are the only one Marty.

Last year when this came up Hank mentioned that he had been proposed but never actually installed.

So after the foundation collapses how do we keep the forum going? That seems to be the most important question for me.

The forum has some ties to the foundation as I recall.

Bob O. any comments, suggestions...?

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Dave,

Whether Hank feels like he is, or not, I believe he is. The 'installation' process, I think, involved Forrest running the potential people by the 'Foundation'. There are other reps, just cannot remember who right now.

I did not run, nor ask, for it. As the saying goes, my position and $4.50 will get you an expensive coffee. What I am is a huge proponent and cheer leader of our airplanes, as many know. I love my airplane, I collect Taylorcraft memorabilia and many of you are friends of mine, whether in-person or in the ether. I will offer advice on items I feel I am knowledgeable of, and defer, (and learn), from the many who have forgotten more about Taylorcrafts than I will ever know.

Any questions concerning the Foundation/Forum, that is definitely a question for Bob.

[Guest]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

fyi

see top of page 2 => http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread...light=regional

see top of page 1 => http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread...light=regional

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

I have expressed my opinion on this in the past, so I will not repeat myself on that subject. That being said, long term hopes would be that a liaison involved with the TC holders to provide long term parts support and continue to rely on the old timers to give expert advice regarding historical data.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

IMHO, the foundation dues over these many years did indeed go to preserving the items in Alliance. It cost upkeep and insurance to have a place for the stuff all these years. To move the drawings and inventory will be an expense. To inventory it and catalog it will be an expense. Unless you are retired-retired and have a lot of time on your hands, a non-profit entity can't put out the effort and time this will take.

On the other hand, If CAP or similar outfit were to buy out the stuff, there would be a fighting chance that it could be cataloged and offered to the Tribe where it will do some good.

Forrest did a fantastic job, darn near solo, for years and years. I met him 40 years ago at a T-craft forum at Oshkosh. That is two careers ago for most of us. All the credit, that there is something worth preserving, goes to Forrest, but very few of us have a dry, empty building with shelving and cabinets to receive the inventory. CAP has the space and the ability -- although we may need to have a barn raising since Terry darn near filled his new one already.

[M Towsley]

Re: Barber Airport Officially for Sale

Hi Mark,

This is not meant to be condescending. Have you ever been to Alliance and actually observed the 'preservation' of the Taylorcraft items? I have a couple of times. Unless something has changed I don't believe you could call it 'ideal'. I also don't think it would be a life-changing experience to catalog it, etc. Just my humble opinion as a first-hand observer.

And again I reiterate, (nothing against Terry), I do not believe these items should be purchased and then disseminated by a for-profit entity.

Dave, you link does not work.