 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
barryhancock
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Posts: 285
|
 Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject: New chapter for Worldwide Warbirds |
 |
|
Gang,
This past Monday I hopped in a beautifully restored CJ at Chino and flew it 2.5 uneventful hours to deliver it to a new customer. Yet, this trip was different from all the rest. When I departed Chino I asked for a photo pass before departing the pattern and heading northwest to chase a setting sun (OK, it was off my left, but it just sounds better to say that). As I entered the downwind for the pass, I flipped the smoke master switch on, got cleared for an early base and pushed everything forward. Tower approved me for an early left crosswind and as I pulled left I toggled the smoke switch on the stick on and looked back to see the smoke arcing over the tower. Before I rolled out on downwind I looked down to see the WW staff waving...it was the 4th CJ delivered in the last 12 months...and the last time they would see their work depart.
It is a bittersweet thing to come to the end of this chapter of the company. For the last 3 years Worldwide Warbirds, Inc. has been putting out the most highly restored, upgraded, and detailed CJ's available anywhere. Tough economic times and changing personal circumstances have forced me into a tough decision of ceasing restorations and maintenance, and closing our Chino, CA facility. Our crew had become a cohesive and very capable unit. There are moments and memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. We all depart this fix with our heads held high for the work that we've done and the legacy that it will leave on the CJ community. Hopefully someday someone will pick up that ball and run with it...it's a great plane worthy of show quality work equal to the best of it's US counterparts. I look forward to flying with and in the planes we've restored around the country for the rest of my flying days.
Here's what I won't miss (by no means an exhaustive list....lol!): being away from my wife and kids, the 463 mile commute (even in a Legacy it gets old after 100+ flights each way), bigger checks going out than coming in, people not understanding how it can take so long to restore an aircraft (I guess you can't until you've done it yourself), the flies (CNO is adjacent to many dairies), wiping fly crap off of airplanes, the dust (CNO is adjacent to many dairies...and right in the venturi when the Santa Ana winds blow), managing difficult people, first flights after restoration, 20 hour days the week of aircraft delivery, giving away the farm to satisfy a customer and having them not appreciate it, and cross country deliveries (literally) - especially in winter conditions.
Here's what I will miss....building a better mousetrap, finding solutions that improve safety and comfort, my current crew (each of the 6), first engine runs, first flights after restoration, 20 hour days the week of aircraft delivery, being a part of top quality craftsmanship, managing good people, watching young and talented people blossom and fulfill their promise, and yeah, having a ground crew for launch and recovery of most every flight. 
Worldwide Warbirds, Inc. will live on....with a new focus on brokering, assisting in aircraft acquisition, selling our upgrade kits, and doing training. But I wanted to take a moment and personally thank all of you in the community that have encouraged, supported, and guided our efforts over the past several years. Even though it wasn't profitable (we averaged 3000+ hours per restoration...no way to charge for all of that, but no way to put out the best without that much time), it was a good ride...and in very large part because of the people that were associated with it as customers, many of you whom frequent this list. Thank you.
Happy Holidays and Happy Flying!
Barry
| | - The Matronics Yak-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List |
|
_________________
Barry Hancock
Worldwide Warbirds, Inc.
www.worldwidewarbirds.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
cjpilot710(at)aol.com
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:36 am Post subject: New chapter for Worldwide Warbirds |
|
|
Barry,
No one can say you were not doing your best. And having seen the workmanship of some of the airplanes, its a shame you have to close the doors on that part of WW. It hard hard business world right now. Working with customers (in any business) has never been "fun". I often wish I'd spent my 34 years on the line flying boxes than paxs, and putting up with flight attendants.
One aspect is our aircraft are not "American" i.e. Mustang, Wildcat, etc etc. The fact that we have to explain even to aviation buffs at every airport we stop at, what it is, where its from, and yes we can get parts. That is a big hurtle to over come. And the big money never come down to our level.
Oh and Chino! I am surprised at you observations of certain aspects of that Mecca of warbird aviation! Did you mention the smell?
Having to leave you're beloved CA for family reason will in the end be good for you. More time with them, and out of CA when its goes bankrupt. And PLEASE don't vote for HR!
Don't abandon us though, OK?
Pappy
--
| | - The Matronics Yak-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Adrian Coop Cooper
Joined: 02 Feb 2010
Posts: 37
Location: Vancouver, BC
|
| Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:44 am Post subject: Re: New chapter for Worldwide Warbirds |
|
|
Barry.
It has been great dealing with you. Thank you and Rennae for the help and the quality work. All the very best. I hope to meet up with you at a Redstar event.
Cheers.
Coop.
| | - The Matronics Yak-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List |
|
_________________
Coop |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
barryhancock
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Posts: 285
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:31 am Post subject: Re: New chapter for Worldwide Warbirds |
|
|
Gang,
I really wasn't expecting the response to that post, mostly private, and very kind.
I'll just add this...I know that better days are ahead and the close of every chapter brings about a new beginning....usually better than the last, if we do it right. I have zero misgivings about leaving California. Every time I go back there I'm glad I don't live there anymore. Being a native, that's saying something. Utah is a great place and has great flying weather most of the year...the summer time DA affects your ability to play somewhat and there aren't a ton of warbirds, but maybe we can change that.
Pappy, of course I'm not going to abandon you guys. I have my CJ (undergoing upgrades at the moment) and the Yak-50, both of which I hope to own forever. After 4 days of flying with Wayne Handley, however, I may need an Extra. 
As far as the smell at CNO....yeah, won't miss that either. On the approach plate for the MDA it just says "smells like cow crap."
Coop, I appreciate the kind words and we will continue to support folks like you looking for our upgrade kits. Incidentally, we just became a ZAON dealer...more on that in a different post.
Y'all need to put ARS X on your calendar. I'm just a participant these days, but it's a "must do" for Red Star pilots. Can't believe it's been 10 years since the start of that event. It's gonna be a hoot and some special things happening to commemorate the decade of the flagship Red Star flying event.
| | - The Matronics Yak-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List |
|
_________________
Barry Hancock
Worldwide Warbirds, Inc.
www.worldwidewarbirds.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tjyak50
Joined: 31 May 2007
Posts: 81
Location: Phoenix, AZ
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: New chapter for Worldwide Warbirds |
|
|
ARS-X.
Wow, come a long way from the old Castle days. (flea-bitten dorm rooms..).
Thanks for all your hard work in the industry Barry.
Looking forward to continuing to work with you on new ventures.
Tj
Airpower.
* Done a FOD check lately?
-found a cool pen in the tail of my 50 on 12-6-10
| | - The Matronics Yak-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Yak-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
