50th Anniversary Musketeer - Oshkosh Fly-In?

I'll seriously consider it, in my first year of semi-retirement........... if the cash flow will stabilize in the black.
 
I'd be interested but I might need those rocket boosters to keep up. I don't think a Sierra can slow to the Sport's cruise speed. You guys always seem to be in a hurry.
 
dlleedom said:
I'd be interested but I might need those rocket boosters to keep up. I don't think a Sierra can slow to the Sport's cruise speed. You guys always seem to be in a hurry.
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David,

If you can't find someone to fly with, I'll fly formation with you. It seems I have developed a knack for it.

Musketeer and Sierra Formation (555x366) (555x366) (520x343) (480x317) (420x277).jpg
 
NICE Marty! That picture is only missing one thing... a Super III!

I think you, me, and David should do a formation arrival at Oshkosh this year.
 
The photo was taken by Thom Smith in his fine Super III. Actually it's not hard to fly formation with a Musketeer or Sport if you can ignore the gear horn.
 
Congratulatons on your Sport and welcome to the club! We will have to get together before Oshkosh to see your plane.
 
As much as I would like to fly formation with a Mouse or two to Oshkosh, I don't think I'll make the Musketeer's 50th anniversary (wasn't it last year?). Probably not many places to stay that aren't already full. It would be a long way to go just for an overnight and return home due to lack of long term accommodations. These bones are too old for a pup tent and sleeping bag. Maybe the younger crowd will make it and take a lot of pictures.
 
Paul Werbin would likely welcome the help from someone at BACFest in September who would organize some 50th year Anniversary gathering for the Musketeer series. Maybe even the "New" Beechcraft Company would support in some way (Pay for a banner or buy us some coffee).

Tom Corcoran
 
drwhite said:
I once flew a missing man formation for a funeral in my Sundowner with a Cessna 172 and a crop duster!
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At BAC Fest Santa Maria, Doug M and I watched the Grumman Fliers practicing formation takeoffs, cruise, and landings all weekend. We thought "wouldn't it be great if...".
However there was some concern within the leadership about qualifications for formation flight, liability to BAC, etc. I would say to check up line before we do anything like the Bonanza Mass Arrival.
('Course this is just sour grapes as I will not be able to make AirVenture; formation or no. :()
 
There was a BAC formation fly over at BAC Fest last year. Not many people saw it though. I thought it looked pretty good, but I'm probably biased. Just two Sierra's with Bill Sciscoe in the lead. While there are some skills that need to be honed to fly in formation safely, it's not extremely difficult. 90% is the pre-flight briefing. It helps if you have some military stick time. I think there is a place you can train to do formation flying.

I don't think the "New Beechcraft" will be interested in us. They are trying to stay afloat and have lost their T-6 contract to Embraer. Not many airplanes, but it will probably cause them to shut down the program. Although, it would be a nice gesture for them to even acknowledge us.
 
I'm willing to help out with any events for OSH AirVenture. I'm just not sure how much time I have to do the planning. You are correct that last year was really the 50th (The Fabulous Flight of the Three Musketeers took place in the fall of 1962), but I think real production started in 1963.

AirVenture is pretty particular about mass fly-ins. I think you have have approved training and a sign-off. I asked them about it a few years back, and they were less than encouraging.

I'm not sure about the traditional BAC picnic at AirVenture this year, either. Our host, Larry Last, let his membership expire last April. I'll give him a call, but I'm not too optimistic.

I'd be surprised if Beech will offer any help. I invited them to the BAC picnic for a few years. I actually got a response one year, but nobody ever showed up. The original Three Musketeers are still flying. Woudn't it be nice if Beech would put them on display at OSH?
 
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There has been no activity on this thread for a while, so I'll give you my update.

Larry Last will not be hosting any BAC activities this year, due to his flying schedule and recurrent training. Besides, they (the airport) have built a road and are putting up a fence between him and the airport.

My schedule is very tight as well. Among other things, I am planning a three week vacation between now and AirVenture. I will be back in time for AirVenture, and am hoping to at least host a dinner. Larry did agree to help me plan an event, but time is short. If anyone has time to help in this endeavor, please let me know.
 
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