The Foundation celebrates its first birthday: a very positive first year for facilities, the fleet and flying activity.
Dear friends of the Foundation,
we have reached the Foundation's first birthday.
I can confirm that this first year of activity closes with a very positive result, both in terms of the completion of the facilities — entrance and hangar — and of flying activity.
The entrance to the facility has been enlarged and enhanced with proper signage for visitors; space has also been created for a mobile gazebo serving refreshments, run by a caterer.
This improves comfort on holidays and the days before them. As for the Bessonneau hangar, damp-proofing work has been carried out, openings have been made for better ventilation, and the wooden floor has been rebuilt.
Inside the hangar an illuminated panel has been installed that illustrates in detail the history of the Bessonneau hangar, its restoration and its certification by the Ministry of Culture. This First World War hangar survived and was made operational thanks to the work of volunteers who restored it completely, starting from a pile of scrap found in Great Britain. This marvellous relic houses the aircraft of the collection, which, as you know, has been enriched by the acquisition of the SE 5A biplane and the Fokker Eindecker.
This was made possible by the generous donation of Capt. Ernest Looser and other friends of the Foundation.
During the year, work also continued on the Caproni CA3-R, now nearing completion; ground testing has begun with a few short hops down the runway — the so-called "flea jumps" — necessary before the flight test programme can begin, expected by the summer of this year (if all goes to plan).
As for the fleet, the return to flight of the Fokker DR1 triplane deserves mention: it has been completely overhauled, including replacement of the fabric covering and a full repaint, thirty years after its construction and with more than 1,000 flying hours behind it.
As regards the facilities, the escalator has been installed in the room where the flight simulator will shortly be installed by the Province, as part of the ALISTO project (wings in history). This project will bring a considerable influx of students and schoolchildren, who will be able to see the sites of the Great War as if they were protagonists, aboard a period aircraft.
This considerable expense was partly financed by a friend of the Foundation with a substantial donation; the remainder will be covered by the Foundation and by the Municipality of Nervesa della Battaglia (founding member).
Among the activities at the airfield, mention must be made of Baracca Day, the Solidali event, and the gathering of the AIPM (Italian Association of Mountain Pilots). Several local associations such as AVIS and volleyball clubs were hosted at the field, making use of the areas made available for their events.
The participation of our aircraft in the celebrations of various associations was much appreciated, with about fifteen outings.
Worth noting is the flyover of the shrine of Pagliano and Gori, Andri and Caglio at Susegana. In addition to all this, the Foundation's facility was made available to the Club Aviazione Popolare Cap-Italia for the five training courses held in the Rodolfo Mariani hangar.
As for visits to the Foundation, there is considerable and growing interest from schools and groups.
Among future projects, we plan to build a new hangar designed by Vice President Arch. Renato Fornaciari, whose plan has already been submitted to the Municipality. We hope it can be built, because it would give visitors adequate space to view the aircraft.
We will soon enter the celebrations of the Centenary of the Great War, and our facility is among those highlighted in the Veneto Region's Master Plan. We naturally hope that the contributions planned for this Centenary, to be provided by the Veneto Region, will make it possible to build this new facility.
This is the overview of the past year.
Among the 2014 activities, I would remind you that Baracca Day will be held on 15 June, while the Solidali event will be on 30/31 August.
Consult the website http://www.jonathanaereistorici.it/ for event updates, where you will also find the date of the official presentation of the CA3-R.
Other projects include the construction of the Spad XIII in Francesco Baracca's livery, officially approved by the Board.
It will be a twin of the flying one already built, now at the "Vincenzo Colognese" Piave Museum. Unfortunately, the proposal to use its engine did not go through as hoped.
In the field of communication, we are working on the Foundation's brochure, designed in particular to present the facility to companies wishing to hold meetings at the Jonathan Collection Foundation and give their staff a special day.
Attached to this bulletin you will also find the notice of the Friends of the Foundation Assembly, to be held on 10 May, where the Foundation's final accounts will be presented.
Those wishing to continue helping us can do so by renewing their card with a payment into the Foundation's bank account, or by paying the amount during a visit to our premises.
There is also the opportunity to donate your 5x1000 to the Foundation, citing our fiscal code 92033720266.
You will therefore be invited on 10 May to the general assembly of the friends of the Foundation — a chance to see our famous historic aircraft in flight and enjoy the company of fellow enthusiasts. On the occasion of this assembly, two flights in the Tiger Moth biplanes will be drawn by lot among the participants holding the Supporter (gold) and Enthusiast (blue) cards.
With warm regards,
Giancarlo Zanardo
President of the Foundation
Jonathan Collection O.N.L.U.S.