PICTURED ABOVE: At the conclusion of SAR 2006 fans wave to Vlado Lenoch as he taxis by in his P-51.
Photo by Job Conger.
When I learned Wednesday that there would be no Springfield Air Rendezvous 2007, I was disappointed for sure. With the exception of 1986 and 1987 (maybe it was 85 & 86) I’ve been writing the most of the text for the Official Souvenir Program and in recent years, the web site text, the prospectus text and the brochure text. I’ve been happy to help because, especially in the past six years, they’re treated me pretty well, even though with the exception of 83 and 84, I never served on their board of directors.
On Wednesday, I wanted to share the new with you but I didn’t. Since I’m not working for the State Journal-Register (though I’d LIKE to be) and at least one major airplane manufacturer and SAR consider my www.aeroknow.com to be a legitimate media entity, simple media protocol required me to confirm the news . . . . which I did with a quick e-mail. I was told it was true, but that there would be an official announcement in January. So I didn’t share the news here.
Of course on Friday morning, the unhappy news was all over the local media. The SAR board decision NOT to host an airshow in 07 was shared during the regular, public meeting of Springfield Airport Authority. Yes, I missed a “scoop” by not posting the news Wednesday, but I maintained my integrity and credibility as a journalist and proved to those who cared that I respect team protocol.
In a nutshell, factors behind the decision were:
1. The SAR Board believes they must book a jet aircraft demonstration team (Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, Snowbirds) to make a profit. The last SAR that lost money was in 1993, I know some years since then and now have not featured jet teams, and may I suggest that with better public relations (advertising and positive interaction with aviation organizations and corporations — and PILOTS ) the results when jet teams didn’t fly here would have been far better. I say this not to criticise the dedicated SAR directors and volunteers; it’s an honest observation not intended to incite an inquisition or ill will.
2. The Air National Guard’s 183d Fighter Wing is phasing away from AL Capitol Airport, and their generous resources would not be available to support a military jet team. Even if plans to bring a maintenance operation to the hangars goes as planned, the dust at that part of the airport would not have settled in time for the event slaged for June 07.
3. What began as Garrett AiResearch at the airport, m a n y years ago is now under new ownership. The connection of that major general aviation facility is not as tied to our turf as it used to be. Support which was generously contributed from that sector is no longer the sure bet it used to be.
Those are some of the official reasons. And for now, that is all I care to say. I have informed “the management” that if there is anything I can do to further the success of future Springfield Air Rendezvous, to please let me know. I consider myself to be SAR’s biggest fan, and plan to remain so. Be sure to read the State Journal-Register for more information and stay tuned to AeroKnow and this blog for news the saga continues.
Excellent. Thanks for sharing this.
JP