Airfield Letter June 2024

Airfield Letter – June 1, 2024

Greetings and welcome to June! Several of us kicked off what we hope to be a great month of flying by launching early this morning for Morristown TN (81nm) for breakfast with several hundred of our good friends. The EAA Chapter there (1494) holds a fly-in, drive-in breakfast on the first Saturday of every month, year-round, which is very popular with locals as well as flying foodies. The proceeds (donations only, no set price) go toward aviation scholarships and 7 recipients were introduced to the assembled throngs this morning. What better way to bring the community together than with lots of good food and good-natured people? Their success can be ours, too! An inspiration for sure!

The old fuel tanks have been removed from the field and the former fuel shed is next to go. Thanks to Member Mark Cigal for arranging this.

Thanks to Members Jerry Moore and Glenn Gordon for seeing to the mowing so far. They will need help as the summer goes on … if you want to pitch in with that job (or any of our projects) please drop a line and we’ll see to it that your enthusiastic support is rewarded in any number of ways.

We’ve surveyed the existing restroom in Hangar 2 and have decided to completely renovate it! This will involve tearing out the old restroom and going back all new, with new structure, HOT WATER, a new heater to keep the pipes from freezing in cold weather, insulation and light. The whole thing should take a couple of weeks with diligent effort, providing we can come up with some donations to help with the expense. Anything you might be willing to contribute toward the new restroom will be much appreciated and the result will definitely be more appealing to our members and guests. The best way to help would be with a check to the mailing address on the letterhead (PO Box 1269, Hendersonville 28793), made out to WNC Air Museum and in the note, Johnson Field facility donation. We will send back a letter to document your gift as we are an IRS 501(c)3, tax-deductible charity.

*** We have an important policy note for our hangar tenants regarding the parking of a car in your hangar while you and your airplane are away on a trip. ***

To park a car in the hangar when your airplane is out, you must provide certificates of insurance naming “The Western North Carolina Air Museum, Inc. and its officers and directors” as additionally named insureds. The specific aircraft liability policy minimums are One Million Dollars; an additional “all risk” umbrella policy in the aircraft owner’s name of Five Million Dollars with the same additionally named insured endorsement will comprise the basic insurance requirement. A letter from the umbrella policy underwriter, not an agent, confirming coverage without exclusions for damage to other aircraft and buildings will complete the requirement.

The car parked in the hangar MUST BE: titled to the insured aircraft owner, operational, absent when the aircraft is present, and in the hangar only for the personal convenience and ground transportation of the aircraft owner when the aircraft is not present. (In other words, no storage of surplus vehicles, antique cars, show cars or any car other than the everyday, local car of the aircraft owner.)

The vehicle may not be connected to a battery charger or conditioner while inside the hangar; hybrid or electric vehicles may not be kept in the hangars at this time. Hangars are for aircraft, aviation paraphernalia, including parts and, on a case-by-case basis, work space that is usual to keeping one’s aviation operation going. Hangars are not for wood shops, storage of personal furniture, non-aircraft repair, or anything else. One’s personal, everyday car is ok as described above.

Once those insurance certificates are in place and on file with the Museum, you will be good to go.

These policy requirements apply to everyone equally. A sad note this month as we mark the passing of one of the founding members of our museum: Ken Stubbs flew west on May 19. His obituary is reproduced below as published in the Hendersonville Times-News by Jackson Funeral Home.

Kennith Bryan Stubbs, Jr., 81 of Hendersonville, NC passed away on May 19, 2024 at Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville. He was born on November 15, 1942 to Kennith Bryan and Katherine Roberts Stubbs in Asheville, NC. Kennith was predeceased by his parents and his sister Evelyn Lynette “Lynn” Stubbs.

Ken was a devoted friend to many who never met a stranger. He passionately pursued his interests in beekeeping, fly-fishing, and aviation. It was the last of these that had the greatest impact on his life.

Fascinated with aviation from a young age, he eventually became a lineman at Spartanburg Airport. It wasn’t long after that he became a pilot, flying his first solo at 16 years old, just a week before getting his driver’s license, then quickly learning to fly a crop duster. He would go on to tow banners at Myrtle Beach and fly commercial and corporate aircraft. He earned his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic’s certificates and became a licensed Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), the highest level of pilot certification in the United States. In addition, he was a member of the prestigious and highly secretive aviation club known as the Quiet Birdmen. Ken co-founded the Western North Carolina Air Museum with two of his close friends. In the decades since, he remained closely involved and supportive of the museum and its work.

Ken is survived by his three daughters: Anne King (Bryan) of Henderson, NC; Angela Bell (Wayne) of New Bern, NC; Allison LeCroy (Michael) of Asheville, NC. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, a niece and nephew, and many close friends in the aviation community.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at the Western North Carolina Air Museum, 1340 E. Gilbert Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Western North Carolina Air Museum.

Our hangars remain full and word seems to be getting around about the new lease on life for Johnson Field since the Museum purchased the airfield, as we have had inquiries from a number of people about possible hangar space for their airplanes. We anticipate there may be a call to build more hangars if recent changes in zoning policy can be applied; we are restricted somewhat by rules concerning flood plain development. Ideally, we would want to elevate hangars so they would not be likely to flood, but that is easier said than done. If you have expertise in this area and would be willing to advise or assist us, your help would be most appreciated.

The second half of the year will bring more opportunities for runway improvement and access agreements to protect the Museum’s interests in our private facility. We all want to ensure the safety of our users and guests and these steps will help us keep track of who is operating out of our airfield. As private property owners, we reserve the right to grant or withhold access for any reason.

Fly safely! For the Board of Directors:

Alex (828-595-5950) and Mark (860-930-5453