Warbird Information Exchange

Just wondering what the procedure is on organizing an airshow. Does anyone even know where to start as far as permission from an airport and such?

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Cheers,

Glenn Maude

Co-Owner of: http://www.rcafkittyhawk.com
A website dedicated to the P-40 AK803/1034

Finding out if an airport authority is even interested in having an event at their airport is a good starting point. If they aren't, you might start looking elsewhere.
Money is the key factor, depending upon what type and how big a show you want to do. I've been involved in both low budget, grass-roots, type events as well as show with over 100,000 visitors.
I guess it helps to decide what type of event you'd like and go after sponsors who might be interested in what it can offer them as far as marketing benefits.
Many time it helps to hook up with a non-profit charity and make it the recipient of the proceeds. That can help with sponsors wanting to attach their name to an event.
The next thing you want to examine is how to create a core group of individuals who can get things done. Action people are what you need.
There are also many individuals out there that produce shows for a living. They may take a larger cut of the profits, but most of them assume a lot of the risk associated with events of this size. There are also many levels of experts out there who can help you "align" everything so that you are starting on the right foot.
Try looking atthe ICAS website. They can be a great help.
www.airshows.org

Well, that's all I'm up for right now. I got to get up early!
Good luck Glenn!
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Here's some info on the subject.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/recavi/Brochures/TP13304.htm

Brian...

It doesn't hurt to have a good underwriter and good source of volunteers. Insurance has gotten pretty pricey and most acts/airctraft that folks will pay money to see want enough fuel and money,(not to mention room and board and rental cars) to make it worth there while.

There is a small town in east Texas that has been able to do a pretty good small show for the last several years because they had the support of the town government as well the local radio station.

Not trying to discourage, cause if you can pull it off it can really be gratifying in the end but it is work. I was heavily involved in a larger small show for many years until work caused me to relocate and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Steve S
(former Ramp Boss at LSFM AirShows)

Where's the East Texas show? I've just now really found out about the air museum in Tyler, TX. I'd be just as excited to find a good airshow to frequent in that area.

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Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Glenn:

Well, step one is to get a named sponsor (like we have here at the CAF in Midland with Fina) who will put up enough money so you can hire some acts, buy some gas, and do the publicity so you get a crowd. People have the silly idea that they can make a ton of money with an airshow: wrong! If you can get a military jet demo team you can make some bucks, but it will be hard with anything else...

Oh, and did I say that you need 500 of your closest friends to volunteer to help? Without a big volunteer base you'll be chasing your tail in no time.

If the weather is good, everybody shows up who say they're gonna be there, etc, it will be a very rewarding experience.

Old Shep
CAF Airsho chairman for 9 years....still reasonably sane, too!

Rob, I believe Steve is talking about Jasper, TX.

(Where did you geaux Steve???)

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Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

Join ICAS and network.

Spend a year or three working with successful shows.

Remember that contracts from concession companies *are* negotiable.

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Commemorative Air Force
Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

What are you waiting for? Join us!

Best way to contact me- email my last name @gmail.com

Ober, tell them how much fun we had @ Stinson.....

Lynn

Hope this is not stating the obvious, but airshows are a risky business ... and is very weather dependant. I would suggest working close with a charitable group, to tap into their resources, and for god sakes have the airshow paid for in advance with sponsors etc .... A good friend said to me once "this aint an all ya godda do is....."

My strongest suggestion:

(at the risk of sounding lick a D*$&) If you have to ask where to find information, you probably are not in a good spot from the begining ....Hire a pro. (ICAS, & I am sure like me, there are a number of people here that know people in the industry)

Done right ... airshows can be very rewarding, done wrong, it will be the last show you ever do ..... done right or wrong with crap weather .... it turns into a country song!

Rob- Elroy (the current LSFM Ramp Boss ) is right- Jasper TX is the show I was talking about. Small town airport, small airfield, means you can get a lot closer to the action and not have to fight the crowds. LSFM heavily supported this show for the last few years but I don't think they were able to schedule it in this year. I hear the CAF may send some stuff.

Back on topic though- Vulture brings up some good points- and it seems like most folks are saying the same thing here. Money, People, Money,People and more money.

If you are really serious the best thing may be to see about volunteering to work on another show, even if you need to travle to do it. If you can, try to get involved with a commitee to see what is going on leading up to the big weekend. That will give you some good first hand knowlege of what you are in for as well as give you access to the folks doing the hard core planning. While these folks are withough excpetion very friendly and always willing to help out someone else, the worst thing you can do is show up on the big weekend and start asking questions when things are crazy under the best of conditions.

Good Luck.

Just remember that the planning for the next show starts the day after the last show ends. This isn't something you can do in a few weeks if you want to be successful.

My hometown air show was 13 months of planning with 16 hour days. I believe it more work than they thought and it hasn't returned since the 2003 show.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"