"Spirit of Edmonton" Bi Plane back in action

Thomas Hinderks · 08-03-2010, 10:22 AM

“Spirit of Edmonton” The BCATP Prairie Tour

A major part of our duty is to promote and educate our fellow Edmontonians, Albertans and Canadians on our history and how it has affected our world.

So the boards of the Alberta Aviation Museum and the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society have agreed to call the “Spirit of Edmonton” aircraft and team back to duty to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

The “Spirit of Edmonton” plan

4100km / 40+ Cities & Towns / 38 BCATP bases / 14 days across 3 Provinces.

The Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane is currently scheduled to depart mid May on this ambitious 14 day tour to celebrate the greatest training program in Canadian history. Flying from Edmonton to Winnipeg then across the Southern Prairies and finally North from Calgary back to Edmonton stopping at every BCATP base that is still active to aircraft and over flying 3 that are not.

Along the way we will be promoting our Facility, Edmonton and our History. Utilizing everything we learned in the historic flight re enactments of 2009 will help but we know this will not be an easy project, but it is important.

The Alberta Aviation Museum and the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society appear to be the only aviation heritage organizations in Canada making the effort to recognize the 70th Anniversary of this program that affected hundreds of thousands of Canadians.

The Challenges
1) As of March 9th we have raised 30% of the finances needed to make this happen.
Unfortunately the planning and discussion on the project have put us in a time frame between possible grant funding so once again we are on our own. Promotional packages have gone to corporations and organizations across Western Canada so we are hopeful of meeting the target.

2) During our Annual inspection damage was found on the “Spirit of Edmonton”, part of it from an unknown visitor, part of it old damage missed by AMEs over a long period of time. It is repairable but will take time and money to resolve.

3) Time…mid May is not far away and we have finances to raise, an aircraft to repair and preparations to make.

You can help! Let others know about the project, spread the word on this important part of history. The BCATP affects are still being felt today, it is important we remember the program, more importantly the Canadians, Albertans and Edmontonians that made this part of history happen, it is our duty and responsibility.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director
Alberta Aviation Museum/Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society

Thomas Hinderks · 12-03-2010, 09:31 PM

Update March 12th, 2010

The Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane sits in pieces on the Museum floor.
Cowl off the engine, all the fuselage sheet metal from the front seat back forward removed, forward instrument panel, fuel tank, front controls all removed and the fuselage fabric peeled back to the front of the wing on each side.

She's a pretty forlorn sight.

The original builders deviation from the plans and time have created damage on the fuselage frame at the landing gear mounting and requires a major repair that will involve disassembling the landing gear.

The right lower wing close to the fuselage has had (2) wing ribs broken due to a visitor crossing the barriers and sitting or standing on the trailing edge of the wing (right where the "Do not step" decal is to remind the crew not to do such a thing)

It sits with part of the fabric covering removed and more to come off.

Tommorow a work team will further dissasemble the "Spirit of Edmonton" and using the original plans check that no other deviations have been made from the design.

For an aircraft that celebrated Edmonton and Alberta in the Century of Flight and created a history of its own its a tough situation.

Tommorow we should know if the 2010 flight schedule will be possible from a structures point of view.

Tom

Thomas Hinderks · 19-04-2010, 04:53 PM

"Spirit of Edmonton" Good News/Bad News update

The good news...
Repairs are well underway and we fully expect the "Spirit of Edmonton" Bi Plane to be ready for the scheduled Mid May launch of the "British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Tour".

The bad news...
Fund raising for this project is falling short.

As of tomorrow we have 9 working days to raise the remaining $9,000.00 to cover the operational costs of the program.

We have approached every level of Government and related organizations across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as the veterans associations and others but are running out of time and options.

If funds are not in place by April 30th we will have to shut down the program.

The sad part is not so much the loss of the tour but that this very important piece of Canadian history will not be celebrated and the promotional value to the Museum and Edmonton will be lost.

We had expected after last years successful "Spirit of Edmonton" flight program fund raising would be possible, but in spite of a proven track record we are close to canceling.

For more on the "British Commonwealth Air Training Plan" refer to this thread on Connect2Edmonton:
http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum...564#post267564

Thomas Hinderks · 23-04-2010, 07:57 AM

Press release April 22, 2010

Spirit of Edmonton Tour to be cancelled?
“It’s a heartbreaking reality”
April 22, 2010 - Short of a miracle the 2010 “Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane” Tour, part of the 70th anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) will be cancelled.
“It‟s heart breaking,” says Alberta Aviation Museum Executive Director Tom Hinderks. “The real shame is the loss of this piece of our history.”
The BCATP literally changed the face of Canada. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians and participants from 15 other countries built 200+ air bases across Canada to train aircrews and others from around the world. And they did it only two years; it was the largest training program ever undertaken.
The “Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane” tour, was designed to bring awareness to the contributions made by the BCATP program, its veterans and aviation in general and is modeled on the tremendously successful “Spirit of Edmonton” Centennial of Flight celebrations and flight recreations. (program attached).
But the program has had great difficulty in raising the needed financial support.
“In spite of approaching Municipal, Provincial and Regional offices and government departments, associations and organizations across three provinces, assistance has only come from „The 418 City of Edmonton Squadron Foundation,‟ ” said Hinderks. “And we only need another $9,000!”
“We expected fundraising to be hard work, but not impossible considering a proven track record” commented Alberta Aviation Museum Executive Director Tom Hinderks.
“It is a comparatively inexpensive program, so to come up $9,000.00 short at this point is a heart breaker”, said Hinderks.
… 2
11410 Kingsway Avenue

Page 2 of 2
Many museums are saying they will celebrate the 75th Anniversary, but veterans and others involved in this great Canadian achievement are already in their mid to late 80s…who will be left by then?
The “Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane”, currently undergoing repairs and servicing from last year‟s difficult flights, will be ready. But the Alberta Aviation Museum and Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society (both not for profit charities) that are spearheading the project cannot afford to dip into operational funds to make up the short fall.
“We cannot afford to run an operational deficit” states Hinderks. “We must always maintain our core operations first which is why outside support for projects like this is so important”
“We will do everything we can to make the goals” said Hinderks in his closing comment. “Yet it‟s a heartbreaking reality that we may have to cancel the program.”
While the Alberta Aviation Museum and EAHS are planning to push up to the last minute - completing repairs on the aircraft and fund raising - if they cannot make up the $9,000.00 shortfall by April 30th the program set to launch mid May will have to be cancelled.
 Interested in helping hit the target, contact the Alberta Aviation Museum
780-451-1175 or e-mail eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca
 Want to know about the 2009 “Spirit of Edmonton” program
http://www.capa-acca.com/spirit_of_edmonton.htm
- 30 -
Thomas (Tom) Hinderks
Executive Director,
Alberta Aviation Museum
780-907-8455 (cell)
eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca

Thomas Hinderks · 30-04-2010, 08:34 PM

Update:

Late night negotiations on going, budget being reviewed if there is anywhere left to cut.

The BCATP Tour is close to still being able to happen....but its going down to the wire.

Tom

Thomas Hinderks · 05-05-2010, 08:16 AM

Todays Edmonton Journal

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...697/story.html

08-03-2010, 10:22 AM	#1
Thomas Hinderks Flying Encyclopedia Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton	"Spirit of Edmonton" Bi Plane back in action “Spirit of Edmonton” The BCATP Prairie Tour A major part of our duty is to promote and educate our fellow Edmontonians, Albertans and Canadians on our history and how it has affected our world. So the boards of the Alberta Aviation Museum and the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society have agreed to call the “Spirit of Edmonton” aircraft and team back to duty to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The “Spirit of Edmonton” plan 4100km / 40+ Cities & Towns / 38 BCATP bases / 14 days across 3 Provinces. The Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane is currently scheduled to depart mid May on this ambitious 14 day tour to celebrate the greatest training program in Canadian history. Flying from Edmonton to Winnipeg then across the Southern Prairies and finally North from Calgary back to Edmonton stopping at every BCATP base that is still active to aircraft and over flying 3 that are not. Along the way we will be promoting our Facility, Edmonton and our History. Utilizing everything we learned in the historic flight re enactments of 2009 will help but we know this will not be an easy project, but it is important. The Alberta Aviation Museum and the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society appear to be the only aviation heritage organizations in Canada making the effort to recognize the 70th Anniversary of this program that affected hundreds of thousands of Canadians. The Challenges 1) As of March 9th we have raised 30% of the finances needed to make this happen. Unfortunately the planning and discussion on the project have put us in a time frame between possible grant funding so once again we are on our own. Promotional packages have gone to corporations and organizations across Western Canada so we are hopeful of meeting the target. 2) During our Annual inspection damage was found on the “Spirit of Edmonton”, part of it from an unknown visitor, part of it old damage missed by AMEs over a long period of time. It is repairable but will take time and money to resolve. 3) Time…mid May is not far away and we have finances to raise, an aircraft to repair and preparations to make. You can help! Let others know about the project, spread the word on this important part of history. The BCATP affects are still being felt today, it is important we remember the program, more importantly the Canadians, Albertans and Edmontonians that made this part of history happen, it is our duty and responsibility. Thomas Hinderks Executive Director Alberta Aviation Museum/Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society Last edited by Thomas Hinderks; 08-03-2010 at 10:24 AM.. Reason: Formatting

12-03-2010, 09:31 PM	#2
Thomas Hinderks Flying Encyclopedia Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton	Update March 12th, 2010 The Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane sits in pieces on the Museum floor. Cowl off the engine, all the fuselage sheet metal from the front seat back forward removed, forward instrument panel, fuel tank, front controls all removed and the fuselage fabric peeled back to the front of the wing on each side. She's a pretty forlorn sight. The original builders deviation from the plans and time have created damage on the fuselage frame at the landing gear mounting and requires a major repair that will involve disassembling the landing gear. The right lower wing close to the fuselage has had (2) wing ribs broken due to a visitor crossing the barriers and sitting or standing on the trailing edge of the wing (right where the "Do not step" decal is to remind the crew not to do such a thing) It sits with part of the fabric covering removed and more to come off. Tommorow a work team will further dissasemble the "Spirit of Edmonton" and using the original plans check that no other deviations have been made from the design. For an aircraft that celebrated Edmonton and Alberta in the Century of Flight and created a history of its own its a tough situation. Tommorow we should know if the 2010 flight schedule will be possible from a structures point of view. Tom

19-04-2010, 04:53 PM	#3
Thomas Hinderks Flying Encyclopedia Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton	"Spirit of Edmonton" Good News/Bad News update The good news... Repairs are well underway and we fully expect the "Spirit of Edmonton" Bi Plane to be ready for the scheduled Mid May launch of the "British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Tour". The bad news... Fund raising for this project is falling short. As of tomorrow we have 9 working days to raise the remaining $9,000.00 to cover the operational costs of the program. We have approached every level of Government and related organizations across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as the veterans associations and others but are running out of time and options. If funds are not in place by April 30th we will have to shut down the program. The sad part is not so much the loss of the tour but that this very important piece of Canadian history will not be celebrated and the promotional value to the Museum and Edmonton will be lost. We had expected after last years successful "Spirit of Edmonton" flight program fund raising would be possible, but in spite of a proven track record we are close to canceling. For more on the "British Commonwealth Air Training Plan" refer to this thread on Connect2Edmonton: http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum...564#post267564

23-04-2010, 07:57 AM	#4
Thomas Hinderks Flying Encyclopedia Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton	Press release April 22, 2010 Spirit of Edmonton Tour to be cancelled? “It’s a heartbreaking reality” April 22, 2010 - Short of a miracle the 2010 “Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane” Tour, part of the 70th anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) will be cancelled. “It‟s heart breaking,” says Alberta Aviation Museum Executive Director Tom Hinderks. “The real shame is the loss of this piece of our history.” The BCATP literally changed the face of Canada. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians and participants from 15 other countries built 200+ air bases across Canada to train aircrews and others from around the world. And they did it only two years; it was the largest training program ever undertaken. The “Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane” tour, was designed to bring awareness to the contributions made by the BCATP program, its veterans and aviation in general and is modeled on the tremendously successful “Spirit of Edmonton” Centennial of Flight celebrations and flight recreations. (program attached). But the program has had great difficulty in raising the needed financial support. “In spite of approaching Municipal, Provincial and Regional offices and government departments, associations and organizations across three provinces, assistance has only come from „The 418 City of Edmonton Squadron Foundation,‟ ” said Hinderks. “And we only need another $9,000!” “We expected fundraising to be hard work, but not impossible considering a proven track record” commented Alberta Aviation Museum Executive Director Tom Hinderks. “It is a comparatively inexpensive program, so to come up $9,000.00 short at this point is a heart breaker”, said Hinderks. … 2 11410 Kingsway Avenue Page 2 of 2 Many museums are saying they will celebrate the 75th Anniversary, but veterans and others involved in this great Canadian achievement are already in their mid to late 80s…who will be left by then? The “Spirit of Edmonton Bi Plane”, currently undergoing repairs and servicing from last year‟s difficult flights, will be ready. But the Alberta Aviation Museum and Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society (both not for profit charities) that are spearheading the project cannot afford to dip into operational funds to make up the short fall. “We cannot afford to run an operational deficit” states Hinderks. “We must always maintain our core operations first which is why outside support for projects like this is so important” “We will do everything we can to make the goals” said Hinderks in his closing comment. “Yet it‟s a heartbreaking reality that we may have to cancel the program.” While the Alberta Aviation Museum and EAHS are planning to push up to the last minute - completing repairs on the aircraft and fund raising - if they cannot make up the $9,000.00 shortfall by April 30th the program set to launch mid May will have to be cancelled.  Interested in helping hit the target, contact the Alberta Aviation Museum 780-451-1175 or e-mail eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca  Want to know about the 2009 “Spirit of Edmonton” program http://www.capa-acca.com/spirit_of_edmonton.htm - 30 - Thomas (Tom) Hinderks Executive Director, Alberta Aviation Museum 780-907-8455 (cell) eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca

30-04-2010, 08:34 PM	#5
Thomas Hinderks Flying Encyclopedia Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton	Update: Late night negotiations on going, budget being reviewed if there is anywhere left to cut. The BCATP Tour is close to still being able to happen....but its going down to the wire. Tom

05-05-2010, 08:16 AM	#6
Thomas Hinderks Flying Encyclopedia Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton	Todays Edmonton Journal http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/...697/story.html