Summer in the Sun at an Air Show: What Makes a Good One?

Summer is here and that means Air Shows! If you check a schedule, you will find there are plenty to choose from. That means you need to choose carefully. Some air shows simply are not worth the time and trouble, others are not much trouble and a great day in the sun.

What makes the difference between having a good time at an air show versus a waste of money and sunny day? I have been to quite a few around the country and here are 10 key points air show planners need to take into account:

First, make is easy to get to. This means no traffic jams on the way in or out and convenient parking. Choose an airport with good access and plenty of on site parking. People do not want to have to load strollers and lawn chairs onto a shuttle bus that they have to wait in line for. Any air show where I sit in traffic (sweltering, it is summer) or have to park in the next county is an air show I will never go back to.

Second, tend to people's needs. Yes, the food will be expensive so make sure there is a nice variety. Go overboard on the number and cleanliness of the port-a-potties. One of the best air shows we ever attended, for aircraft performance that is, was on the Chicago lakefront (see www.associatedcontent.com/article/168263/guide_to_chicago_festivals.html). Free to get in, but hardly anything to eat was available. There were long lines to the port-a-potties and the women coming out reported that it was "overflowing". I lifted my young girls over a snow fence partition so they could use a private one in the area for a local radio station. Do not overlook adequate water and shade, either.

Third, deliver what you promise. Advertising "Warbirds, Warbirds, Warbirds" and then finding there are only 3 actual warbirds there is just wrong. You might get away with it on a one day airshow, but if you have a 2 day event you can be sure that word spreads quickly. I am not the only person I know who will attend both days of a good 2 day event. Here is a show that is promising a lot, but can it deliver? www.associatedcontent.com/article/250001/quad_city_air_show_thunderbirds_at.html

Four, provide a variety. Reserve a nice mix of propeller driven warbirds, current military jets and specialty performers. Make sure you have plenty that will fly and plenty left on the ground for close inspection. If the service personnel who fly the ground display aircraft can be available for both Q & A as well as photo ops it really attracts the crowds.

Five, provide for everyone. Small children need an special area for them; and it usually is a profit center of additional cost items, but people will pay. Teens really love the simulators, the more realistic, the better. This also brings in revenue so why not give them what they want?

Six, keep the action going. Gaps in the show are devastating to the experience. But avoid the technique one air show promoter takes of throwing up a loud, "blatty" biplane whenever there is a break in the action due to poor planning or a military fly over that fails to materialize.

Seven, go overboard on the sound system. If only the people around the speakers can hear then you have failed. Hire a professional who has done it before, successfully, and test it out well beforehand.

Eight, make the finale memorable. The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are not the only ones capable of finishing out an air show in style. Jet teams from Canada and the United Kingdom do an awesome job as well. If you fail to deliver a demo team of this calibre you have your work cut out for you in advance, but I have seen it done successfully.

Nine, if you have a great show, why not let crowd take home some worthwhile souveniers? Check out your vendors ahead of time and make sure that you are providing an opportunity for the crowd to take home a piece of the show. This will add to the shows bottom line and the crowd's satisfaction; everyone wins. That "great" air show in Chicago, from an aircraft standpoint, had almost zero for souveniers. We would have spent a lot more money at that show if given the opportunity.

And finally, number Ten, solicit feedback. Some show promoters make the same mistakes over and over, ignoring comments from dedicated fans. Those fans will drive right past your show next year on their way to find a better one hours away. Why not listen and develop a loyal following and free advertisers?

Want to attend a show that always has positive feedback? Look no further than Oshkosh www.associatedcontent.com/article/253605/oshkosh_air_show_aviation_celebration.html

Air show promoters will do well financially to heed these guidelines I have given. If you love attending these festivals in the sky, do your homework and ask around before giving up hard earned cash and a summer day to attend an event to make sure you will be getting the experience you deserve.