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Historic P-51 "Galveston Gal" crashed near Houston, 2 dead
P-51 Mustang out of Galveston may have crashed in Chocolate Bay - an area where the Mustang routinely goes for maneuvers when giving rides. Witnesses on a charter boat reported the crash. Coast Guard reportedly searching... (www.khou.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Rest In Peace my dear friend. Having known Keith Hibbet for over 20yrs and having served together in the USN, he died living his dream. A great pilot, but a loving father and husband first. Will never forget our trip to Oshkosh in 93 in your then new Stearman.....
Nicely stated.
Sad news. R.I.P. plane and crew.
So Sad and unbelievable and how can you justify still flying these old Aircraft for money$.
Simple, if we couldn't fly them we would never spend the money it takes to restore and maintain them. Then they simply wouldn't even exist.
Ron - I understand how you feel but confess I am torn by this issue. I hate the one-two gut punch of losing fine people and irreplaceable aircraft, but I also understand (as I suspect you do judging from your flight experience) the value of allowing our youth to see, hear, and feel our aviation heritage in action. I'll never forget my first trip to Oshkosh in 1989, the feeling of seeing and hearing the aircraft that I had made models of for years. (My buddy and I slept in my car in a supermarket parking lot that year!) My heart goes out to the friends and family of the lost.
Don't get me wrong. I like the Current CAF Air Shows, the CAF flying interest, and I was a Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force for three years at Stead AFB, Nevada. This was before the Air Shows ever started there in Reno, Nevada. I also flew in the oldest C-47 Airplane in the Air Force Inventory over 50 years ago.
My only concern and problem is with the Charging approximately $2,000 to take a ride in a 70 year Old P-51 Airplane.
I just visited today, colored advertising ads by the CAF wanting to sell tickets to ride in( Only remaining Flying B-29) (Called "FIFI") formerly of Midland, Texas CAF Museum. Guess what?, they moved it to Addison Texas and taking riders(Paying Passengers), in Ellington AFB, Houston, Texas this weekend for $/rider? Please think about Safety and what can go wrong with this Safety issue for "Paying passengers" as well as the Current Pilots who were not even born when the airplane was built for the Air Force.
Need to Park it in a Museum somewhere. Don't see many 70 years Automobiles on the Interstate Highways today? I am a Codger for Sure!
10-26-2013 1 p.m.
My only concern and problem is with the Charging approximately $2,000 to take a ride in a 70 year Old P-51 Airplane.
I just visited today, colored advertising ads by the CAF wanting to sell tickets to ride in( Only remaining Flying B-29) (Called "FIFI") formerly of Midland, Texas CAF Museum. Guess what?, they moved it to Addison Texas and taking riders(Paying Passengers), in Ellington AFB, Houston, Texas this weekend for $/rider? Please think about Safety and what can go wrong with this Safety issue for "Paying passengers" as well as the Current Pilots who were not even born when the airplane was built for the Air Force.
Need to Park it in a Museum somewhere. Don't see many 70 years Automobiles on the Interstate Highways today? I am a Codger for Sure!
10-26-2013 1 p.m.
Please look at the flip side of the coin too. Your position also means that you think I should be prohibited from taking a ride in a historical plane even when I'm willing to share the cost of operating the plane.
I would have to agree with you on the passenger transport question. Money is short but should be sought after by other means. Definitely a question of risk/benefit. Thanks for your service, by the way!
Thank you for your comments Joe!
Seems to me that the One of a Kind, Last One, Oldest B-29 in existence should not be used as a (Passenger Paying tickets Airplane) for Anyone!
CAF has 9000 dues paying members per their printed web site. That adds up to a lot of money at $300 each per year dues to be a Colonel. I looked this information up today!
Let everyone protect this Great Airplane in 2013! My Personal opinion in Texas! 10-26-2013 9 p.m. Signed Ron (Retired 13 years)
Seems to me that the One of a Kind, Last One, Oldest B-29 in existence should not be used as a (Passenger Paying tickets Airplane) for Anyone!
CAF has 9000 dues paying members per their printed web site. That adds up to a lot of money at $300 each per year dues to be a Colonel. I looked this information up today!
Let everyone protect this Great Airplane in 2013! My Personal opinion in Texas! 10-26-2013 9 p.m. Signed Ron (Retired 13 years)
Elizabeth makes valid points - it is VERY expensive to operate and maintain these aircraft, but giving rides is likely not going to take much of a bite out of overall costs. (I know, that's easy for me to say. For what it is worth I try to donate what I can to help people with these expenses.)I deeply appreciated seeing Fifi in flight a couple years ago. That was a priviledge. I just know that if one of these vintage aircraft goes down with "civilian" passengers on board the press has a greater field day than if otherwise. I have been championing the cause of aviation since I was a kid arguing with my Mom about aviation safety and I just feel that anything we can do to promote aviation while minimizing potential tragedy is a step in the right direction. That said, it is time to give readers a free shot at me by saying this...I would be the first to hop on board for a ride!!