Running a display engine

[engguy]

Do events ever pay to have people show up with either aircraft or engines?
I could not afford the fuel to haul and run the engine. And time etc.
I suppose a person could ask for donations at the event?
What about FiFi how do you guys afford the fuel etc?

[retroaviation]

What about FiFi how do you guys afford the fuel etc?

Well, when flying, FIFI goes out on tour to earn it's keep. The whole Warbird Tour idea that the CAF, Collings Foundation, Yankee Air Force, etc., was developed by Vic Agather back in the early 1970's. FIFI's first tour was in 1974 and had been doing it ever since......at least until I started working on it. (I hear that frequently)

Typically, the airplane gets an appearance fee, along with fuel and oil considerations. How much? Well, that varies from stop to stop. Also, money is generated by selling rides, which was typically done by the B-24, but will be allowed in FIFI once it's up and flying again.

Gary

[engguy]

Sounds good so now I need to find out much people would pay to see hear smell a good old wasp major come to life? Yeah then theres the insurance deal too. A place to display it etc. We don't have too many airshows around this area any more.

[Wheels up]

From what I have gathered many larger "shows" ban running engine displays. The crowd loves it. The participants love it. The managers tolerate it. But the surrounding vendors HATE it....too much noise and ruins their foot traffic. Graham White was banned from firing up his "World's only runnable" super rare hyper program Continental IV-1430 at that Sunfun thing in FL a couple years back. I gather they since changed some staff and allow it.....potentially at remote areas (to control the noise) and per strict scheduled run times and durations. And NO compensation whatsoever. I believe in Europe it is quite the inverse.
It would appear your chance of running one would be at smaller demos and/or private members only gatherings. Niether of which is likely to cover any expense substantially.

[dhfan]

Not that it will help with your query but you might like this site:

http://members.lycos.co.uk/pwgrieve/index.html

Aero Engines Carlisle. Merlins, a Griffon and the oldest working jet engine in the world, with more piston engines to come.