The Lucky Winner was Kelly Monroe!

Like always, it just seems like these raffles send the airplane to a great person who has a reason. Kelly is a Pilot, as is his nephew! I'm positive theyre going to just love this little Cub. I'll be posting more details as they pick the airplane up and as usual astory will follow. 

Thanks again everyone!

Jim

With 2 of our own that we teach in full time, we know a little about J-3 Cubs, and I have to say, this one is really really nice. It has less than 300 hours on the restoration, which included an engine overhaul (new cylinders) and new propeller. This little cutie should last someone a lifetime with minimum maintenance. It has a Continental C85 Engine, an upgrade from the original 65 horsepower.  The restoration also included new sealed lift struts (eliminates the pesky inspection requirements) as well as Cleveland wheels and disc brakes, which allows the use of modern (and more reasonably priced) tires. The airplane is covered with Ceconite and finished with Butyrate in the classic factory Cub yellow scheme.  It has wood spars, and although he pictures don’t do it justice, the leading edges are laser straight. It’ll leave here with a fresh annual inspection, new landing gear bungees, and anything else it takes to make it airworthy and reliable well into the future.

As far as history, the logs start in 1947. Before that, it was a real-life WWII veteran CPT training aircraft. Like all cubs, it bounced around a bit, in New York State, Michigan and a few others.  The logs don’t indicate any major accidents or repairs, other than the routine items one would expect in a Piper Cub. 

Theres a few things we are going to change before we award it to the lucky new owner though, so here’s the list (it’s short, which sort of tells how nice this airplane is!) The sharp-eyed among you will notice the compass in the dash picture…well, it’s sort of weird. We’ll replace that with a period-correct unit if the winner wants. Its a FAA/PMAd compass, so its you choice.  Also, one thing that bothers some folks is the necessity of hand propping a cub. We are going to eliminate that by installing a starter and a rechargable battery. It’ll still not have an “electric system” as defined by the FAA, but wou wont have to swing the prop to start it. We have applied for the field approval to make this modification, it should sail through, and once the paperwork is approved we’ll make the change if the winner wants it.

The museum was created to inspire the next generation of Aviators, and if there was ever a task that could be easy and hard at the same time, I'm betting inspiring a bunch of todays kids would fit the bill. We've never had a paid employee, but the expenses of running an operation like this are incredible...and ongoing. Insurance, Hangars, Fuel and Maintenance don't come at the same price as our all volunteer workforce, and while some folks seem to think "non profit" means "no expenses", it simply isn't so.  

But we knew it going in. My Dad used to say "Nothing worthwile comes easy". The kids work here in exchange for their flight lessons (a lesson in life thats probably as valuable as the flight time). We use the funds created by our Raffles, Fly-Ins and other events to support our activities. If we have surplus, we award yearly scholarships to the flight and mechanic students who have gone on to Colleges and Universities. Has it worked? Yes, overwhelmingly so. 7 young professional pilots have began their journey here... not bad for a little town inthe middle of nowhere and a population of 2600. And we are growing.  Beginning in 2023, our local School District will offeer Aviation/Aerospace courses taught by us to dovetail with the flight lessons offered by the museum. Who knew. 

So, when you hit the support button, buy a raffle ticket or even a meal at the fly in, understand you are making an investment into a kids future. We're simply the conduit that makes those opportunities available locally. On behalf of myself and all the volunteers here, we Thank You, from the bottom of our hearts. 

Good luck everyone!

Jim