Does the idea of flying as a crewmember on a fully restored B-25J Mitchell get your heart pumping a little faster?  

If the answer is yes, then we have just the ticket for you!   It's a ticket that gives you a chance to win one of four crew positions aboard the "best restored B-25 in the world", the Mid Atlantic Air Museum's 'Briefing Time', as she flies over the beautiful Berks County, Pennsylvania countryside during the 2003 AVSIM Convention and Exhibition.

The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded the Upper Turret Gunner's position.  His takeoff and landing seat is just aft of the flight deck where he will have a full view of the pilots, controls and panels.  After takeoff, and prior to approach and landing, the winner can slide through the tunnel beneath the flight deck to occupy the Bombardier's position in the nose.  Be sure to bring your camera for this once in a lifetime experience as you view the spectacular scenery from the "best seat in the house"!  

    
       That could be your riding seat, folded up on the left...                    ...and this could be your vantage point, aft of the flight deck... 


...or perhaps you prefer this view from "the best seat in the house!"

The two runners-up in the drawing will fly as 'Briefing Time's right and left Waist Gunners.   The final position, that of Tail Gunner, will be part of the prize package awarded to the winner of the AVSIM Convention FS Landing Competition, using MAAM-SIM's Gold Medal-winning 'Briefing Time' for FS2002.  All three of these takeoff seats are located in the aft cabin, just behind the bomb bay.   After takeoff, and prior to landing, these three crew members can move freely through the aft cabin, including the waist gunners' and tail gunners' positions.  

       
 
These captures from the "crew_pos.mpg" video on the BT Multi-Media CD show the waist and tail gunners' views.        

So, what would you expect to pay for this hot ticket?   How about nothing?   That's right it won't cost you a cent.   There must be a catch, right?   Catch 22?    No, our 'BT' did perform in that movie, but this catch is a lot easier to live with...

Since the Mid Atlantic Air Museum policy is that only museum members may fly aboard MAAM aircraft, you must join the museum.   That's the only catch.  It's a great organization, doing great work to restore some very historically significant aircraft - like what will be the only flying P-61 'Black Widow' in the world, when she's finished.   It will cost you just $45 for one year's membership.

EVERY NEW MAAM MEMBER JOINING BETWEEN MARCH 25 AND AUGUST 31, 2003 WILL RECEIVE A FREE DRAWING TICKET FOR THE 'BRIEFING TIME' LOW-LEVEL LOTTERY.  

DRAWING AND FLIGHT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 27 AT THE 2003 AVSIM CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION AT MAAM.

So, if you have ever considered joining us to support MAAM's restoration efforts, now's the time.  You can read all about MAAM and membership benefits here.   Follow the membership information link to sign up and you will receive your membership packet, including your 'Briefing Time' Low-Level Lottery ticket by mail. 

What if you are already a MAAM member and want a chance at a seat?   We won’t leave you out.  Just go here and make a donation of $25, minimum, to either the Engine Drive Fund or the P-61 Black Widow Fund.  You will receive a confirmation e-mail.  Print a copy of it and bring it to the convention.  You can exchange it for a lottery ticket at the MAAM-SIM Exhibit. 

******************************************************************************************************************************

Here's the fine print...

CONDITIONS AND RULES 

1.  It is the Mid Atlantic Air Museum policy that only members can fly aboard museum aircraft.  As a new MAAM Member or donor you will be given a free ticket for a chance to win one of the four crew positions aboard 'Briefing Time' for the special Avsim Convention Flight on September 27, 2003.

2.  When you receive your member's packet cut the lottery ticket out of its page and write your name and MAAM Member Number in the spaces provided on the ticket.  You must have your MAAM member's card to validate a winning ticket and verify membership, in order to fly. 

3.  Bring the ticket with you to the 2003 AVSIM Convention and Exhibition at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum, Reading Regional Airport, Reading, Pennsylvania.  The Convention is Friday and Saturday, September 26th and 27th, 2003.  Or, if you will not be attending on Friday, you can mail your completed ticket to MAAM BT Lottery, 11 Museum Drive, Reading, PA 19605.  However, you must be present for the drawing on Saturday, Sept. 27, to win.  (see details below)

4.  When you come to the convention, drop your completed ticket in the 'Briefing Time' Low-Level Lottery receptacle at the MAAM-SIM Exhibit, located right in front of 'Briefing Time' in the hangar.

5.  ONLY ONE TICKET PER MEMBER FOR THE DRAWING.  But, if your spouse joins and wins, she or he can give you the ride.  Just expect to pay the “extra price”, domestically speaking. ;-)  Be sure you have the winner’s MAAM card, along with your own, in this case.  There is really nothing to prevent you from signing up all your relatives, as long as they meet the membership requirements:  Applicants must be 16 years-old, or 12 years-old and have a parent who is also a member. 

6.  The drawing to select the three winners will be held in the MAAM hangar at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, September 27, 2003.  The flight will take place in the early afternoon of that day and the winners will be briefed on reporting time and other requirements.  Hearing protectors are provided aboard 'BT' (and you will need them!)

7.  Winners must sign the standard MAAM waiver of liability before the flight.

8.  In the event the flight must be cancelled due to weather or other conditions affecting safety-of-flight, winners will receive a rain check for a free flight at a later date and will be placed at the head of the list for such flights.  However, the museum can make no other guarantees concerning replacement flights, or be responsible for additional expenses you may incur in connection with such flights.

9.  Winners will be given a safety briefing and instructions by the pilots and are responsible for adhering to these instructions.  The pilots will appreciate your help pulling the props through, before starting, if you are physically able to do so.

10.  Entrants must be present to win and winners must be ready to fly. 

   

MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND THE 2003 AVSIM CONVENTION & EXHIBITION,

MID ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM, READING REGIONAL AIRPORT, PENNSYLVANIA

SEPTEMBER 26 & 27, 2003 

DRAWING PRESENTED AND ADMINISTERED BY AVSIM ONLINE

  See the AVSIM Online web page for further information about the convention.

www.maam.org           www.avsim.com           

Thanks in advance for joining us, and we hope to see you at the convention.

Rambow, Visser, Banting, and Young