The future of the site is questionable at this time...

[brendenpavao]

Mark,
Thanks for posting the update. I was trying to remember all the details for this so I could do one, but its so much better when the info comes from the person doing the work.




I guess in light of the likely page redesign, this question goes out to everyone who uses the site.
What would you like to see change? Yes there is some old content that isn't really needed up front, so perhaps we can create a "race report archive" section and move them there. With the Sport Class racing group, I have offered them a spot on here as well. They aren't just about the Sport class, but all classes. Heck, all the top Sport guys do have Unlimited projects, and some of those projects are really cool. They have a vested interest in keeping the Unlimited class going, and taking it in a new direction. (Still with Merlins, Griffons, and 4360s) I'm also thinking of allowing other aviation related stuff in, airshows, cool air to air photography shoots, aerial fire fighting, ect. Stuff that we all can enjoy. I do want to keep the focus on air racing, but until we get more growth on that front, we need some filler.

What are your guy's thoughts?

Will

While I'm much more active on Facebook, at least socially speaking, that all sounds great to me and it checks a lot of my aviation boxes for sure. This site is what first harbored my love of air racing over 20 years ago when I first got the internet after first hearing of it over 30 years ago when my father brought me back a Tsunami shirt from Reno. While I've only ever posted here a handful of times over the years that I've actually been a member (I was a lurker for a long, long time before finally joining), I check in almost every day, and just about everything I've learned from the sport has come from AAFO over the years. Wayne truly built something special here for all of us, and sad to say, I think he really took his work for granted at times. Especially at the times when he questioned whether or not this site still had a purpose going forward. I think it would great for his legacy to keep growing and moving forward exactly in the ways you're thinking, Will.

[Plane Nuts]

I would like for the site to continue. I post occasionally but mostly lurk. I do check daily. The pics are great and I really enjoy the insiders info and tech. This is the last air racing site left. I don't do facebook. Thank you Wayne, Will and Mark.

[PowerByPackard]

I would like for the site to continue. I post occasionally but mostly lurk. I do check daily. The pics are great and I really enjoy the insiders info and tech. This is the last air racing site left. I don't do facebook. Thank you Wayne, Will and Mark.

What he said. Love this place, love the pictures, love the insights. Would really miss it.

[Pylon1_Mark]

There has been more than a few things happening in the background on securing this site for the future, and I'm happy to report that today marks the start of the continuation of Hangar Talk. I'm going to just relay the "cliff note" version (getting close to bedtime - wanted to let you guys know as soon as I could) so here we go. The last names were omitted as I didn't ask if it was OK to put 'em out in public.

Allen, a very close friend of both Wayne & Linda, has been working with myself & Will. He was able to secure Wayne's laptop from the estate. After that, he contacted Bill - a Microsoft IT Tech and ex cyber-security officer in the military, to see if the computer could be accessed and hopefully locate the files needed. After a couple of weeks, we're now able to confirm that it did indeed contain all of Wayne's files for AAFO.

Bill then went searching or specific information, and after a LOT of searching - found everything we need to access the server, the site control panel, SSH/ROOT login & password - everything - even billing information & when the site needs to be renewed.

So, looks like we fell into the best case scenario :-) which radically changes our plan moving forward. Aas long as Will is in agreement, I don't see any need to move the site. Simply leave the site on the current server and just take over payments... loose nothing, no extended downtime periods.

Once I get the info I need from Bill this weekend... the plan is to do a damn backup of the database!!!!!!!!!! After that, I think we can all take a huge sigh of relief - the worst parts behind us, lookin good for the future

[SpinB]

Well done, Mark and Will!! i, for one, appreciate your dogged determination! Thanks for your efforts!

[RAD2LTR]

I say, leave things right were they are. Makes life easy. Nothing to have to rework, nothing to promote elsewhere, its all right here, its not broken, so lets leave things right where they are.

Will

[Russ Craig]

Bravo Gentlemen! and sincere thanks to all involved.

[Fawkes]

Many thanks to Mark, Will, and all who had a hand in navigating the past few months. For all the ups and downs, both in the sport and in the wonderful and, at times, spirited personalities, I consider AAFO to be one of my most meaningful destinations on the internet. So much of the web is ultimately not adding value. That is not the case with AAFO. There is immense value here in the knowledge, the passion, and the people.

Thanks again to those that have kept it alive and to all those who contribute.

James

[Pylon1_Mark]

We just dodged a bullet here guys.... Lookie what came in the email bin this morning:

--------------------------------------------------
To: WAYNE SAGAR
Subject: Dedicated Servers Credit Card Payment Declined

Dear WAYNE SAGAR,

Your credit card did not approve the transaction for the amount of
$xx. This maybe due to a lack of funds, invalid expiration date,
or invalid credit card number. When you are ready to supply us with
updated information please go to: (link deleted) and update your information

Thank you,

Dedicated Servers
--------------------------------------------------

In a nutshell, it takes two people on phones next to their computers to login to the backend of AAFO (hosting company still working on making the changes for login... authentication code goes to the email on record - and that ain't me... yet) so this caught everyone by surprise. I was able to change the billing info, paid the invoice, and set it up to automatically pay every month. So we're set for the future, smooth sailing from here.

BUT this also means that we were all incorrect - the aafo site WAS on a monthly billing cycle, not yearly. And if we didn't get access to the server when we did, and if Bill didn't get the email on account changed, that email notification would have been sent to electron hell, with lights-out following soon after. That was TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO close. Got to it the day it was due, damn lucky I'd say (or maybe someone up there is directing the show... that you Wayne?).

[Jim58]

Mark,
Do you need "Donations" to help cover server costs? if so, Where?
I would be happy to help, I'm sure most of us would.

Thank you ALL for keeping Wayne's legacy going.

[RAD2LTR]

Wow, Yes, too close.

Mark I'll give you a call this afternoon.

Will

[Pylon1_Mark]

Wow, Yes, too close.

Mark I'll give you a call this afternoon.

Will

Roger that

[N22252]

Mark,
Do you need "Donations" to help cover server costs? if so, Where?
I would be happy to help, I'm sure most of us would.

Thank you ALL for keeping Wayne's legacy going.

I'd like to help contribute as well. The main page of aafo.com still has a "make a donation" button low and to the right. However, I assume that with Wayne and Linda's passing, this Paypal link is probably no longer valid or is not the most direct way to fund the site?

[BellCobraIV]

I'd like to help contribute as well. The main page of aafo.com still has a "make a donation" button low and to the right. However, I assume that with Wayne and Linda's passing, this Paypal link is probably no longer valid or is not the most direct way to fund the site?

Mark,
Having the ability to contribute to the maintenance of the board via PayPal would be nice.

John

[RAD2LTR]

John,
We are working on an AAFO specific PayPal setup or something along those lines. This is our plan to make it as easy to donate as we can make it.

Thanks for the support,
Will