Early Summer

PLUM ISLAND AERODROME

by Richard Copithorne

My, what is going on? I can’t believe the flying season is here, winter then 80 degrees, wow.

I should introduce myself, Richard (Dick) Copithorne, Piper Tomahawk owner, mechanic, and volunteer. I’ve been around the area for most of my life, and the airport off and on starting with meeting Steve Noyes building ultra-lights. Recently, as Steve is concentrating more energy on his Maine business activities, I have assumed management responsibilities here, being elected Vice President of Plum Island Aerodrome. I have some experience with a 501(c) 3, the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Assoc. CAARA.

I, like all of us here, have great dreams and aspirations for PIA. I’ve traveled to a great many small airfields across the land, and have seen ideas that work and ones that fizzled. Steve has done an amazing amount of work getting a fuel tank, a hangar up and outfitted, acquired mowing, tractor and grounds equipment, a big plow truck and generally did whatever had to be done. I feel, after this first five years, we can build on this foundation that everyone has worked toward, volunteered for, and donated to, and really start to get things rolling err flying.

Things are OK but…really PIA doesn’t support itself. Steve has worked in the hanger long hours and kept up with the bills, but with the slow economy, the price of aviation fuel $ 5.50 +, and only approx. Seven airplanes based here…. How things have changed in 20 years. The numbers don’t add up. Our expenses are basic, light, phone, water, rent, and insurance.

Well, my solution is a business plan. Looking at what we have that’s good, we really have a lot. After making lists, timelines, idea sheets, working with everyone within earshot, aviation or not, here’s my view for the first year of our new lease.

1. We need to have fuel.

On the ocean, at the beach, next to a tourist town, we are/should be a ‘destination’ airport, and need to cater to our customer’s needs. We are working out a system to get fuel, sell it at a fair price, take credit cards and it will be available to all when attended.

2. We need to help our flight school and give rides.

We are in a reasonably stable portion of the country, we are a tourist area, and Aerospace Education should be part of our mission. John Murray has been with us for 3 years, off and on with his flight-training program.He is Air Transport Pilot certified, and can train from entry level up. We are finding common ground to help him center more of his business at PIA. Working with him as a flight school and providing rides helps tie in the public.

3. And people, the public, we need to be a nice place to visit, people flying or otherwise.

We’ve all wanted to get food going, and our volunteers do a fine job on hot dogs and burgers at any event, and everyone is invited to our Pot Luck lunch on the first Sunday of the month. But the investment and commitment to reinstall the historic coffee shop /diner is staggering in many ways. My idea is Ice Cream! We can serve out a window, and it can be installed in the existing building. We don’t need a grill/fryolator and the massive expense of the associated hood/fire system. Keeping it limited to things not needing the hood/fire system really isn’t bad, coffee, soda, steamed dogs, simple sandwiches and quite a bit more. I think it’s a good case of walk before run, or as my accountant says “performance before privilege”. The proposal has been drafted and we had our first meeting with our landlord, Historic New England. So far the idea is well received. This venture should put us in the “black”. And yes, we are learning how to set it up to be 100% compliant with regulations. (As pilots, we never stop learning)

These are major hurdles and it will not be easy at times, and what do we get for it?

More airplanes/pilots will visit.

The public will be served better.

We should get more members.

With the increase in activity we can hopefully become more self-sustaining, and be able to move onto some really fun stuff! Getting stable will mean we can start planning for things like T-hangars for more planes, a separate museum hangar/building, the Coffee Shop and things not yet dreamed of. We should be able to pick a project, plan it, lay it out and start a rational plan to fund it.