What a childish attitude. I'm the only jet flier where i live so we only have regular glow/gas fly-ins and each and every one of those is sponsored by Morgan Fuel, they could give a rats butt less who CD's the event, even the guy who flies w/ Power Master fuel has CD'd a few events, grow up it's Lewis's event regardless whom he flies for.

kc

the fact IS whoever kept the profits - or payed the losses from last year is whose event it is . the sad truth is that it is always about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$- if the team at amt did not change - all this would not have happened. one more fact is that model jets are a hobby for you , me and lewis but a portion of a livelyhood for doctor j. there is always two ways to look at everything .

Lewis,
You might not know because you did not write the checks, but we at AMT paid the majority of the bills. We tried to work with you and you insisted that Kentucky Jets was all about you. You are my friend but you have let your ego take you places that I have never seen you go before. No one has done anything to you. You drew the line in the sand and made threats. I will not play these games on RCU. We both know what has transpired. Your bluff was called. Your oppinion was valuable to all of us. No one gets their way always. If you believe that we are in it for the money, look or share the proforma that was sent to you from the event last year. We did not make money. Nor did we break even. We are not in it for the money or glory. William, If you choose not to come because of some blind loyalty I feel sorry for you. I will not and never will sling mud on this forum. This thread was started for one purpose only. To destroy a great event and ruin it for everyone. It was started to split friends, pilots, and vendors. This attempt is selfish and self centered. Believe when I say that Kentucky Jets will go on and be a great event. We have invested lots of time and money to make sure that this years event is even better than last year.

John Ligons
V/P AMT USA, LLC.

KC, great post!

I would think that as new owners or whatever of the AMT usa distributorship and service that their priority would be getting along with everyone and pushing their products. Either picking a fight or being involved in a dispute with an ICON like Lewis seems absurd!

I just don't see Lewis being that much of an Ass, even on a bad day. But whom I to judge, half of RCU thinks I'm a moron.

I felt the fees for vendors and pilots were way out of line. I wanted 40.00 for pilots, instead I got 70.00. Fees for vendors 50.00, but got 200.00 instead. I tried to explain that I wanted to keep this an event for the pilots, and I felt it was way over priced for a second year event. I was hoping to eventually be the Florida Jets of Kentucky, but not in two years. It was explained to me that all decisions would be made by them.

The GENERAL

we must agree with you once again sean

Lewis,

Thankyou for copying me in on the e-mails that brought you to this point over the issues for your event. It does seam that know one was wanting to listen to you about what you were trying to do for THE PILOTS who come to the event and who make it what it is!!!!!!!! They have nothing without us, who showing up and flying our expensive machines, help them to make money. If anything, AMT should have backed out and started their own event at some other time and left you to work out your own issues to make this event successful.

Sean,

I agree with you on your last post too. Lewis is a good guy who has paid his dues in this hobby for a long time, and has taken a back seat to alot of pilots over the years, and has kept a cool , calm attitude. He flies well and has kept that Predetor in the air over the years longer then some pilots have planes with it still flying. So if he wanted this to be his moment in the spot light , he just deserves it by the way he has handled himself in front of all of us who have been around him over these many years. You cannot and I will not make me believe it that he is a bad person (unless you have video recording) showing him in the act.

This is hard to choose but friendship means more to me than just putting some wings in the air for just anyone. My Plane, My choice. I do have a life and can do other things till this issue has been resolved by all parties involved, so that we can get back to just have fun and a good time seeing each other.

For who will be there to watch over the Kerrs and kept them from backsliding?

Brother Kerr,

I pray that you have choosen wisely the correct level of sun screen needed for where you are headed (PF 1,000,000 that is.)

The Bob, has blessed you, let's just hope things work out for the best for you this year, and should you ever need to repent , I will always be somewhere close to hear your confession ( except for in Kentucky)

You faithful follower in the BVM

Monk

Who is the CD of this event?

-Patrick Frost

Lewis,
As you know, the pilot fees are the same as last year. $50.00 to preregister and $70.00 at the event. For that you and your crew get a steak dinner friday and saturday, live entertainment both nights, tents for all with power and lights, and much much more. That seems like a great deal to me. Take the wife out to one steak dinner for less than $70.00. We were and are always willing to work with any vendor on price. They only need to pick up the phone. I have always been available. There is no point being made here. I think that Kentucky Jets is the best value going.

John Ligons
V/P AMT USA

T33Man/ William,
You only got one side. I will not post private emails or share emails that were sent to Lewis or anyone else here.
Your oppinion is one sided. This is a simple smear campaign. You should get the whole truth before you open your mouth. Some things can never be taken back.

John Ligons
V/P AMT USA

The way I'm reading this is that Lewis is the CD of the event, and IMO he sets the rates of the event for everything.

It's his baby.

Now if he does not have the funding and is looking for sponsors, that's fine. AMT/ Artes/ BV/ ME, whoever is shelling out the dough, they have a right to have input on making sure they get their money back.

I have spoken in detail with Frank Tiano, and Jerry Caudle about these events, and they are expensive, toilets, food, rental fees, trash, etc. There is overhead that needs to be covered.

In my business, cash is king. So I would tend to agree that if Lewis does not have the money to fund the profit or loss of the event, it should either be cancelled or picked up by someone else or another entity.

As I'm understanding this thread, that's what has happened here.

If I were Lewis, I'd drop the event and maybe AMT or someone else can carry, maybe they can't on the CD side.

Or, buck up, put your money where your mouth is like Jerry Caudle has done and others and take care of it yourself and tell AMT to jump in a lake, they're not invited.

Our local rally is carried by our club funds, win lose or draw.

Don't know how that would apply in this situation.

I'm sure there was some hanging chad ... I demand a recount !!!

Sean is from TX, the event is in KY, nothing at all to do with FL

kc

KC, there are many that won't get that, but I do

I have money and sponsors to run the event like everyone else. They wanted control, and I wouldn't give in. They even brought back old invoices that were supposedly "taken care of". "If you CD the event, we'll cancel the invoices", that was my choice. I worked very hard many years to represent AMT in the highest professional manner, but I will not be pushed around!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go ahead and post the e-mails, then everyone will know the truth!!!!!!!!

The General

don't know about you guys....but i have lost a TON of respect for the AMT boys.....

SM

So call them out, let them cancel whatever they want, it's not like there aren't companies out there that will take your money. I don't understand how AMT has "control" over anything, you are the CD, therefore it is your deal.

If AMT has written PO's or paid local event vendors in advance, I'm speculating here, what are the issues that AMT is involved in that is prohibiting you from running the event?

here's the deal...everyone loves lewis....AMT?????

I think it's too early to judge anything here. I've always been the first to say I think AMT engines are junk, but I have highly respected friends who fly them, so what do I really know?

And most of the problems I ever saw with AMT, were not the current owners fault, so I wouldn't blame them.

But I will say again, I just can't see anyone getting in an argument with Lewis as being a reasonable person.

Lewis is just too much of a genuine guy.

I can not and will not ever forget my first MS AB, I'm a new guy with all of 10 flights under my belt, I'm blowing landing gear out of my ROO left and Right, I mean, I'm just a mess.

And this guy comes over to me with this huge smile on his face, I mean, face it, Lewis is about as all teeth as you can get as far as smiles go. And he's asking me how's it going, and how I'm liking it here, and just really making me feel part of something.

And there is just no way I'm the only person that he's made an impression like this on.

I concur, get it all out here in the open if there is nothing on AMTs side to hide. so far it seams like one of those 'Hey this event has the possibility to get big and bring in lots of $$$, screw everyone else and let's take this thing over and we'll be on the cash cow soon'

kc

Dear John,

I am not here to smear you or AMTUSA, because I like you both ,but I have known him alot longer than I have known you and have put in the miles with him... he as a man and good overall person , has earned my loyalty!!!!! When I was young in this hobby when there was just him and I at events who where the only brothers to support each other he incouraged me . As I stated I told my friend that I would come to Support an event that he was CD of and that's the fact #1.

#2. If he is not the CD and is unhappy as to how this turned out (and I do understand the money making portion of these shows) how can I come, fly my jet, eat, drink with my other friends and be happy in his state with him not being there to enjoy this moment in time with me??? If he did show up, he in his state of mind would be poisen in the pits to this event, not fair either to the event.

#3 Work this thing out some how , some way and put it back on track with the right CD. Next year will take care of it's self for we live for today!

#4 If he is not there, sorry my brother , this year I will not be there and I will not speak ill of you. I will just be plowing the back 40 instead on our farm.

Your humble friend

monk

Lewis
I am not a child and I will not play these games. We are grown men and this should be handled man to man. I do believe that Russ offered you the oppertunity to come meet with us even now. The invoices that you speak of were a different issue. Russ told you that for all your years of dedication and work we would forget these invoices. It had nothing to do with the event and was not put to you that way. Russ is our controller and handeles the money. You have always known that. You have always known that if you had an issue, I would always get things worked out if given the chance. You were removed because of your threats and how your behavior was not rational. It was very sad for me the way this whole thing has played out. No more game playing. Meet the people you have issue with face to face.

John Ligons
AMT USA

John - not having Lewis as your CD is YOUR loss.....

Spence

Their are two people with dogs in this race, AMT & lewis any input from a uninformed third party,( us readers) is pointless and
stupid. Take in to the back alley.

David Hudson

Spence,
I aggree 100%. Lewis is my friend and the whole thing has been tough on me. When someone leaves the team. The team must go on. Lewis was part of the Kentucky Jets Team. No one individual made this event happen. It was a team effort. No one else claimed that it was their event either. It is the pilots event and no one individual is larger than that. Of course we wanted to have Lewis on the team. His input was very valuable. I don't know if the team can be put back together or not. I do know that all the others involved are still willing to talk about it. Believe me, Kentucky Jets is not a cash cow. It was done to promote the hobby. Our goal has always been to try to break even. We were short by five figures last year and are still dedicated to this years event.

John Ligons
V/P AMT USA