Classic Wings DC-3 farewell day
 

Hi all,

Sadly the global financial crisis caught us too...

Classic Wings is closing its doors for good, however before we wind up, we are having a DC-3 farewell day, so we can celebrate the aeroplane and real flying one more time.

The farewell day is a series of 45 minute scenic flights from Jandakot, on this Saturday January 10. Tickets are $130 and include champagne and nibbles. If you are interested in the flight, email enquiries @ classicwings.com.au. The 10.00am flight is full, the 11.30am flight is filling up quickly. We will add more flights if need be.

Bear in mind that regs have basically caught the Dak in both the US and the EU - Add to that the fact that after this there is only ONE passenger DC-3 left in regular commercial service in Australia...flying in a DC-3 as a passenger is getting difficult.

Many people have said that they would love to go flying in the Dak "one day" - that one day is here.

Truly a sad day.

I wanted to reply to your email link, but it doesn't appear to work.

If the flights stretch to the late PM, I'll put my hand up for two seats.

Thats horrible mate!

What are you going to do with the old girl?

Is it the PT-6 powered type?

I hope she is going to a good home...:(

Tis indeed a sad day. :{ I was hoping to get into the old gal before you shut shop.
What has caused it?. Lack of business?, or other things?.

No, it's the real McCoy. 18 pumping cylinders of cancer causing smoke to anyone standing down wind when she starts up.

As a short lived and difficult ride that you guys had, you can be confident that you pushed to the end. An acheivement that you can be proud of. And of course the experience of flying this wonderful bird.

All the best of luck for the future.

Very sorry to hear that it didn't work out, guys.

CWS has always been one to make you stop whatever you are doing and just watch and listen to her going by. A real treat.

Always sad when yer dreams dont work the first time
Keep dreaming
It may have been that you were trying to make an honest quid in Perth, something that is a little alien to the culture? :E

The whole scenario has turned out to be something that would almost be worthy of a book!

Not to say that's the only cause, but it's a major one - let's just say that its not a lack of business, but the "other factors" involved that after pushing against them for 3 years, you get to a point of saying enough is enough.

We're not looking at this as a loss or a failure, or even as not fulfilling our dreams. We wanted to operate a DC-3 on commercial passenger work, and we did. We also upset a lot of the "other factors" along the way...

Walking into the office with a C of A application and being asked point blank for ID to check I'm old enough and "do my parents know I'm doing this?" - Not only have I been able to fly a DC-3, but I've been able to fly it with my old man which has been some of the most enjoyable flying I will ever do...you don't get luckier than that.

"These things belong behind glass cases in a museum, and that's where this should be" - now she holds a certificate of airworthiness.

"You'll never have an AOC issued for this aeroplane" - guess what there's a copy of sitting in a frame in my office?

"You'll never carry passengers in it" - I have my stockpile of letters, emails and cards of thanks...and the images of passengers who sat back and shed a quiet tear as memories came back to them of what flying was really like or as they fulfilled their own dreams of flying in a machine like the Dak.

Trust me, the list goes on...

Its all of the above that we're celebrating this weekend - not what we didn't get to do, but rather what we actually acheived. Its not the end of anything as such, merely the closing of a chapter and seeing what the next one is.

Yes, it hasn't gone on nearly as long as we'd hoped...but as you say Tinpis...this is just the first time around... :)

Keeping Flying History in the Air
 

For Regulation relief, have you considered operating under a ‘Limited COA in the Experimental Category’ using ‘Schedule 5’ maintenance program? (It is ironic that a proven aircraft that has been flying for over 70 years and of which over 16,000 were built should be considered ‘experimental’.)

I believe you can still carry passengers provided they are members of a suitable organisation as set up. That is, there is a membership joining fee component to their ticket.

That is very interesting. Could it be some conflicts of interest at work somewhere?

Not necessarily...I meant more along the lines of we were told time and time again that certain things couldn't be done, but we found a way to make them happen.

Recalcitrant forces have good memories and incredibly long lives when bestowed with the prospect of a trough sucking sinecure and a golden handshake in the service of the public
Always remember a name to be avoided, you can be certain your future ventures would most probably land on their desk

Good on'ya for having a go.
 

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g3...doanything.jpg


Them's wot make things difficult can't ever sit back and feel the satisfaction you guys have, at having a go.

Aviation...
There's those who think they fly like eagles
I've flown with better.... those who soar like the albatross... effortlessly.
There's lots that flap their wings like bugg*ry, whistling and lurching along, through the air like the pidgeons.
And there's the roosters... Can't fly at all, hurl abuse at all and sundry from the safety of their enclosed cage, fluff 'em selves up and menacingly scratch dirt to impress the chooks who don't even care.

G'Day Skyways...
 

G'Day Skyways,

Have left a telephone msg - bookings for 2 please.

Have flown with you before, ex JT, and look forward to doing it again!

See you on Sat.

Best Regards, :D:D

Hey Skyways...

Just wanted to add my congrats on achieving the 'impossible'... with persistence, creativity & an attitude like yours I don't think there's ever a door that won't eventually be open to you.

I haven't posted on here in a long time but you once gave me some very helpful advice when I was starting out, so thanks, and best wishes for whatever you decide to take on in the future! Wish I could be there to see you all off on your last hurrah! :ok:

SS

PS- Any chance of a fly-past of the city so us office-plebs can hear the old bird one last time?? :E

OT but that young man in the photty above looks like he could have been married to Nicole Kidman at one time...... :}

Handsome young devil isn't he - even made my old heart beat faster! ;)

DF.

I'm starting a new thread.
 

Skyways,

I am starting a new thread I hope you will contribute to. I love these old classic DC3's and flew in them as a boy.

As a PPL who only flys lighties I am fascinated to know what these AC are like to fly. Please contribute to my new thread "Flying the DC3" so we can gain some insight into what it is like.

Thanks for this thread and your comments.:ok: