A hopefully cool look at the future of historic aviation
Problem. Many of those fortunate enough in the past (another country) with sufficient disposable income to support many worthwhile historic aircraft and museum projects are probably by now feeling the pinch. I rather fear this bodes ill for the 'industry' Note the use of the word 'industry' for bretheren that is what you are, albeit a fragmented (and to some folk) minor industry but non the less an important one and why?BECAUSE YOU SUPPORT A SKILLS BASE WE CAN ILL AFFORD TO LOSE.
Potential cure. Our great leader (I never saw the crunch coming honest) Brown, has already noted the following.
'Our industrial base has been eroded to beyond the point of recovery(tacit)
'Our future lies in tourism and developing niche businesses with broad based appeal' (Stated last week)
Route ahead.
Do not make the same mistakes as the full sized aero industry when we kept too many companies rattling along past their death by dates. Consolidation was damn near left until far too late and lets face it with honorable exceptions we never even got near giving the industrial superiority of the Americans a run for their money
Duxford. Coventry, Cosford, Elvington and Yeovil should be drawn together as an umbrella organisation ( a non profit making trust) supporting and nuturing the industry by offering apprenticeships to a new generation of metal bashers. How to fund it all?
The government will be eagerly shovelling cash to develop the tourism industry and also into the hands of many less than capable training providers who lets face it will take the money and run (YTS in all but name) A way forward, perhaps but if you don't make the waves now, the coming storm will sadly swamp you all.