N2103A was temporarily housed at the Ensign Dean R. Van Kirk Aviation Collection at KFDK
Brothers, Malcolm (left) and Steve (right) Van Kirk, of the distinguished aviation family, graciously temporarily stored N2103A at their VK Aviation Collection after the original N2103A hangar was closed during the bankruptcy sale of Hyde Airport, KW32. Malcom and Steve Van Kirk personally knew and respected the aviation legacy of Mary S. Feik and graciously stepped up to offer hospitality in their D1 hangar when they recognized the immediate need for a temporary storage for this antique fabric airplane.
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The Van Kirk family has a long and very distinguished tradition of aviation history. Their uncle, Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk had a distinguished career including as a navigator on the USAF flight of the Enola Gay, when it dropped the first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima. Their Aviation collection has many other interesting historical aviation artifacts. Their collection included medals, memorabilia and interesting heritage items.​
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N2103A was stored for five (5) years in a "display only" status and never flew while at the VK aviation collection. N2103A was only occasionally displayed to Young Eagles and Boy/Girl Scouts. While at KFDK, airport regulations did not permit even basic maintenance. During those five (5) years, the airplane did not move and sustained unfortunate impalement of the fabric at two areas, substantial engine damage and tail damage.
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Although most gracious, the VK aviation collection was packed full of many interesting but sharp objects. It is not one of five recognized Maryland aviation museums with state funding, but a private collection of aviation historical memorabilia. Later, the Board of Directors agreed that to pay the VK aviation collection a pro-rated SF rental for the five year stay. It was done with great thanks to the VK brothers for lodging in D1/D2 after its original hangar at KW32 was sold in bankruptcy and immediate storage was needed.
Then architectural and project management services were donated for a professionally designed NEW museum for the VK aviation collection in order to solve the overcrowding problem at D1/D2. For that goal a NEW stand alone hangar, at the FDK agreed site, adjacent to the Maryland Police helicopter hangar, was professionally designed to spaciously provide climate controlled areas for the expansive VK collection. Unfortunately, after many meetings with the city of Frederick, KFDK airport management, AOPA, FAA no construction financing was obtained which was a pre-requirement to be granted a building permit; N2103A could not stay at KFDK because it was deteriorating as a static display, in a cramped space, filled with impressive aviation memorabilia. N2013A needed immediate repair.
Meanwhile, a Financial Accountant Auditor, CPA had made an unfavorable report on DCYA finances, demanding serious legal actions and consequences. This precipitated the acceptance of the resignation and permanent disassociation of one of the founding members. The DCYA bank account was permanently closed. "DC Youth Aviation, Inc." was permanently de-certified. A new Board was elected to establish the future of N2103A and the legacy of Mary S. Feik.
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The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that for the sole legal requirements of having the airplane re-titled, properly insured and able to receive FAA Aircraft registration, the Board would allow for the temporary re-listing of the N2103A under the guardianship of A-B DG, LLC specifically, so the airplane could be restored for a second time, recertified as flight worthy, sold and, monetized to fund a aviation scholarship. A dedicated and separated bank account, with unique bank routing numbers, was established to provide for N2103A expenses. A temporary transfer of N2103A was a legal requirement step because of the de-certification of DCYA had made the previous DCYA registration "VOID". Even for a ferry flight, re-registration to the A-B DG, LLC valid entity was essential. When temporary transfer paperwork was completed, the Board of Directors arranged for an experienced ferry pilot to fly N2103A to a repair location where the substantial damage from five years as a static display, in a cramped dangerous environment, was was found.
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In being good stewards of Mary Feik's donation goals: to restore the airplane to fly again and to have the process promote aviation studies, the Board of Directors decided to restore the airplane a SECOND time, put N2031A up for sale to an active pilot and then, with those monetized funds, contribute to the women pilots Ninety Nines Perpetual Scholarship Awards. In this way, the Board would honor both of aviation legend, Mary Feik's wishes.
The Board of Directors commissioned an AP and IA to review the condition of N2103A and accepted the recommendation that it be removed for a second restoration due to the substantial damage. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that in order to follow Mary Feik's wishes, this second restoration of N2103A would be to "flight worthy" condition, (not as a damaged project-plane) in order to fund the aviation scholarship. Preparations were to be made for its sale as a certified airplane, in agreement with Mary Feik's first goal: so that it would again be flown by a loving active pilot.
Over the next three (3) years later, after substantial repairs, new required parts, new portions of the fabric, new equipment, COUNTLESS volunteer hours, flight tests and Inspection by FAA certified inspectors, N2103A was deemed flight worthy for a second time. Then, the Board of Directors, advertised, promoted the sale, and judiciously selected a local pilot for the sale, "that Mary would approve of".
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The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that after ferry pilot fees, five years of pro-rated VK D1- hangar rental fees, repair costs, repaired parts, new fabric, inspection, aviation sale classifieds fees and related costs, that the entire remaining balance from the monetization of the sale of N2103A, would be contributed to the women pilots, Ninety Nines Perpetual Aviation Scholarship Awards, in agreement with Mary Feik's second goal: aviation scholarship.
Mary Feik was a leader in CAP and was aware of the Ninety Nines, an aviation group founded in 1929 by Amelia Earhart, whose aviation scholarships are independent and professionally managed. Contributing to the Perpetual Aviation Scholarship of the Ninety Nines had the cost-saving virtue of avoiding new legal and management fees in creation of a new scholarship. The Board of Directors unanimously dedicated the balance of the sale of N2102A to the Eileen Ruth Kay Perpetual Aviation Memorial Award of the Ninety Nines for aviation studies.
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Being good stewards of the Mary S. Feik ideals, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that these two actions would be favorably approved by Mary S. Feik.
In this long journey, we need to recognize and give grateful thanks to Joe Vala, IA assisted by Shahram "Chuck" Amirkhanian, AP, to the Van Kirk brothers: Stephen and Malcom and to so very many others who contributed to this exciting project. There were hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours! We are sure that Mary S. Feik would be very pleased with the adventures that her little airplane has had and ........ that she bravely flys again!
