…Dropping Some Of The Traditional Crew…

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“We are looking at resumes now to hire a new full-time director,” Kick said. Meanwhile, Tom Daly, director of air shows, has assumed many of the executive duties. Daly said the Aerodrome needs to change with the times. “Competition is stiff to attract the families on the weekends. This has to be approached more like a business,” he said. “When we get our electric bill every month, those people are not as passionate about old-time aviation as we are.” Among some changes that brought friction from staff and volunteers, Daly said, is restricted access at the field, which he attributed to homeland security concerns. “There is now 24-hour security, and people have to sign in and sign out.” Also, the owners of some private aircraft, who had long used hangar space for free, were told to remove their airplanes so the space could be used for museum projects. “There’s some reluctance to accept that kind of change,” he said. “It draws some criticism, but it needs to be done.” Both Kick and Daly said the Aerodrome is financially robust, despite poor weather last year that cancelled some of the shows. “The Aerodrome is fine. Financially and personnel-wise, it’s in good shape,” Kick said, discounting rumors that this winter’s shutdown could become permanent. Daly said the site will open as usual in mid-May, and added that the staff changes were not due to financial constraints. “The Aerodrome is taking a bit of a different direction,” he said. “Some people resisted change, and they were asked to leave.” Daly said new people will be hired, and new volunteers are welcome.

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