Warbird Information Exchange

Hi Everyone

From time to time, I get approached by Production Companies that are looking for a vintage bi-plane for movie use. So far the ventures have never happend.
However, I have always wrestled with what to quote these people for hiring myself and my a/c. I realize that one must factor in their time, fuel wear & tear on the a/c, but is there any standard . I don't want to scare these opportinities away but don't want to sell myself short either.

Is there anyone out there have experience in this field who could give me a fairly accurate estimate of what the fees usually are ?

Thanks

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

I don't know about today, but back in the 80's my A/C was used in the movie "Poncho". Then they paid $500 a day for use as a static prop per 24 hour period. I seem to recall that if I'd flown it for just one short flight it would have been $1500 minimum and negotiate price for more flying.
I'm sure it's different today and can vary.

Thanks B-29 Driver.
Anyone else had similaer experiences ?

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

It varies. My old employer provided a Convair to "Walk The Line" for around $5000 for static display and taxi fees (they wanted it in a couple of shots so it had to be moved).

One thing to ensure is that before you do anything that they provide you with a proof of insurance that is sufficient to cover losses in case something happens to your plane during the filming. I know that can be a deal breaker because not all production companies think about that and don't get an insurance policy big enough or that provides coverage to aircraft damage because it wasn't part of the original script or similar and they don't have the policy re-written to cover them.

Also;
Be aware that you need a commercial Certificate to fly for hire in the U.S.
If the aircraft is only used as static, you won't need to.

Also, movie companies have a habit of feeling as if they "own" the aircraft while they are renting it. I've heard some horror stories about things that have done been to the aircraft, including painting it, that were not in the contract nor what the owner expected.

Get it all in writing and make sure that you are allowed to be with the aircraft while it is "on set".
It can be a fun and interesting time, but many times, it's pretty boring!
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."

Contact Mark Foster: http://www.memorialflights.com/contactus.html for up to date info. He does stuff like this all the time.

I rented my Stearman out once for a Taco Bell commercial and had a positive experience. They were looking for an all yellow airplane so I had to temporarily overpaint a green fuselage band.

You must remain with the aircraft at all times during the filming to avoid surprises as few "studio" folks understand the fragilty of an airplane when it comes to moving it around the set. Rent the aircraft as a static display, but include ferry time back and forth to your home base in the price. Running the engine or flying during filming adds substantially more to the price.

J-C Paul and family have had their P-40s used in a number of movies.
Since he frequents the board here you may want to post a new thread with his name so he'll see it.

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Don't touch my junk!!