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Kid’
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CONTRIBUTORS:
MSgt. Keith Butler
U.S. Army Public Affairs
Pentagon, Washington, DC
Carrie Marsh
U.S. Navy Recruiting Command
Richmond, Virginia
Peggy Cope
Lorain County Regional Airport
Elyria, Ohio
Alicia Meier
Amigo Air Show
El Paso, Texas
Eugene J. Demarco
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Air
Shows
Rhinebeck, New York
o
Debra Mitchell
NAS Oceana
Neptune Festival Air Show
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Commander Cliff Driskill
Central Valley NAS Lemoore Air
Show
Lemoore, California
Judy Rice and John Tennyson
EAA Airventure
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Stacy Geere
Van Nuys Airport
Van Nuys, California
Robin Rigsby
Elkhart Air Show
Elkhart, Indiana
Lee Heublein
U.S. West Rose Festival Air Show
Portland, Oregon
Major Pierre Royer
Major Richard Kurtzer
CFB Borden AFD & Air Show
Ontario
John Issenman
National Capital Air Show
Ottawa, Ontario
Ken Sharkey
Vertical Reality
Dave Keim
Prairie Air Show
Bloomington, Illinois
Scott “Sky” Smith
Ankeny, Iowa
Morty Lloyd
Air Show Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Sandra J. Wells
Ayrsho Management Services
Hamilton, Ontario
12 AIR SHOWS
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Here’s
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y
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p
and
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taining
r
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on
advice
and
,
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g
a
f
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the you
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O
V
Stuf f
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x
By Roger A. Mola
Photos by
Roger A. Mola
That’s the Ticket
T
X
here’s rarely a
downside to
handing a kid
a ticket. Sure,
the odd sixyear old may show up unescorted, looking for trouble.
But the great majority will
bring their older counterparts,
who will pay to park, pay to
enter, pay to eat, buy a program and reserved seating,
and pay for the same kid to
play while watching your air
show. If you’re worried, print
it right on your ticket: “Paying
Adult Required.” And clutching that ”free” ticket, they’ll
do so with a clear conscience,
still considering the whole
affair a bargain.
Philosophies differ on how
to distribute the ticket. Should
the child earn one through a
scholastic program? Should
child tickets be awarded
through your local food market sponsor for a certain purchase? Maybe coupons should
appear in your media sponsor’s
publication. Some shows held
during or immediately after
the end of the school year are
lucky enough to distribute the
free tickets through the
schools. Doesn’t matter how,
but get the kids a ticket. Even
if a family of four only includes a single prop head, the
rest are looking to ride, eat,
learn, shop and spend.
So, maybe you don’t want
to pony-up for free tickets,
kids or not. At least consider
family pricing. And feature
kids, kids, kids in your television commercials. Most customers find it appealing. All
Y
4Q 2000 13
d
N
Most
custo
mers
find
kids
appe
aling
. All
right
, mo
st Sp
onso
rs
find
kids
appe
aling
.
Kids
are t
heir
drea
m
demo
grap
hic.
R
a
right, most sp
onsors find it
young people
appealing. Kids
like these days
are their
.
Chances are yo
St
age what they
dream demog
ur local
like, but
raphic.
If your music
ra
di
round it out w
o station has
al group is
If your show
al
ith
ready buda
m
ix
photographer
fo
r
sm
all, stage them
ge
ted to stage a
your whole cr
hasn’t already
in the nose
free broadcast.
owd; oldies,
gotten the mes
of a C-5 Galax
Steer them yo
- light rock, coun
sage, remind
y.
At
ur
least set
w
ay
tr
.
y,
U
and
se a DJ
him or her to
the platform
after the show
maybe, talk ab
w
roam the stat
ith
en
a
heavy airds
ou
t
to
airplanes.
keep
ics, concession
craft as backdr
kids and their
s
Some have ex
and flight lin
op
.
pa
If
pe
re
us
nt
rimented with
ing a
s on-field ha
e to capture
ngar, most or
as the parking
country, and
young people
ganizers say to
lot clears.
Christian rock
having fun w
,
keep the door
ith both of which
Most organize
s open; group
or near your sp
rs say that a
test well with
onsor’s prodpa
rtially inside,
de
dicated young
the NASCAR
uct. Put child
crowd spilling
crowd. If you
crowd arrives
photos in the
onto the apro
for the concer
don’t like it, w
n.
media kits, sp
Move the
t. If staging a
ear ear plugs.
onsor kits, sh
mobile simulat
big name, ho
ow
Remember, th
posters, and ca
or
ld
s, kid rides,
it
e
on
st
uf
th
f
e
brings in
tch kids on
and other yout
Friday evenin
younger custom
film, having fu
hg
or
be
iented
fo
er
re
s and raises
the
n during
activity near th
show, or the Sa
the average sp
school visits,
e
m
tu
us
en
rd
ic, or
ay evening
ding at your
autograph sesvice versa. Espe
after the first
concessions.
sions and preci
fu
al
ly
ll
day, allowif it carshows, (so long
ries a sponsor
ing exiting ai
Military team
as you’re alread
name.
r show fans an
s are often
y there handd
To keep costs
arriving conc
best shown, an
ing out tickets
ert fans to avoi
down, and
d enjoy being
...)
d
in
vo
cl
lve the comm
ashing. But co
shown, at info
unity, conncerts are not
rmal parties
sider building
simply a main
and concerts
a
st
ag
ev
ra
e and
en
th
t.
er
U
than
se
Make Notes
then stepping
music to fill th
flight line. Fo
back to let th
e gaps while
r a change, tr
e
y
locals decide
landing comm
beach music an
who toots thei
ercial aircraft.
d stage a
oncerts are al
r
horn. Schools
l beach blas
Run upbeat m
can send a
t party. Introd
usic during sl
the rage. Or
uce
ow band; th
periods, and in
the military te
e
di
st
ri
ct can hold a
si
de your
ams, hold a
all the rap, or
competition to
hangars during
beach-style ba
determine the
kid craft
rbecue or even
the rave, or
a shows, an
winning grou
pig roast. Con
d
p;
ch
or air show
ild activities.
sider dance an
whatever it is
d
fans can “vot
They’ll stay lo
hula lessons.
e” on your web
nger and spen
d
site to determ
more.
ine the type of
music.
C
14 AIR SHOWS
X
H
Don’t f
orget t
o serve
carniva
l-style
food:
cotton
candy,
candy
apples
, snow
cones.
But pla
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t kids
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ing tow
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ride, rid
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c
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ision d
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A
C
16 AIR SHOWS
N
a
are females. The group tosses
a standard M-1 rifle with bayonet for 1.5 revolutions,
marches at a cadence of 110
steps per minute and performs a close-order drill. Kids
love the white cotton leggings, and shiny black patentleather shoes with brass fastened to the heel.
Exhibits are also available,
but again, contact the individual unit and not the Pentagon. In requesting support,
note that most kids want to
climb in a cockpit, onto a
Bradley fighting vehicle, or
into the cab of the latest tank.
If kids can only look, the
value is greatly diminished.
Two of the latest Navy
items are the Super Hornet
Flight Simulator, and the “Taj
Mahal” set-up which includes
d
18 AIR SHOWS
R
ganza of chorus, marching
and theatrics. Resources are
available near most nationwide air shows, drawing
from the active Army, Army
Reserve and National Guard
marching band and concert
units.
Ask your local Navy public
affairs officer about the nearest ceremonial or marching
unit. For the Ceremonial
Honor Guard at Anacostia
Naval Station, Washington,
D.C., all males must be six
feet or taller, women must be
5’ 10” or taller, and picked
for, “superior nature, posture,
good moral character, outstanding personal appearance,
good facial complexion, a
high level of fitness and outstanding intelligence.” About
30 of the 200-member unit
t, note
r
o
p
p
u
sting s
e
u
q
e
r
In
climb
o
t
t
n
a
kids w
t
s
o
m
that
dley
a
r
B
a
t, onto
i
p
k
c
o
in a c
o the
t
n
i
r
o
ehicle,
v
g
n
i
t
figh
ank.
t
t
s
e
t
a
the l
cab of
a video and a walk-through
exhibit. Applicants fill out a
preflight screening form,
watch a video, and test the
simulator. If the applicant
scores well, the recruiters take
their information and generate a lead. The Taj Mahal
booth travels to air shows for
the Navy, as a walk-through
exhibit with videos and stirring music.
The Navy loves to hand out
trinkets, holding warehouses
of pens, toys, bumper stickers,
key chains, T-shirts, brochures
and folders, and copies of All
Hands, the publication of the
U.S. Navy. Recruiters can set
up their own methods to
hand out the promotional
items.
Here’s why. Kids will bypass
a free handout, but line up for
a game that awards the same
item. Sometimes, whoever
does the most pushups gets a
hat. Some might hold a raffle.
Others set an easy bean-bag
toss for children to “win” a
non-spill cup, pen and
bumper sticker. Such activities
are solely up to the local Navy
recruiter, and how they decide
to generate leads.
Marines from Camp Pendleton install a chin-up bar
and require a certain quota
before handing out the best
freebies. At Van Nuys Airport,
there’s a kid-friendly airplane
painted bright red and
orange, “Firefly,” with all the
parts labelled for kids.
Get the recruiters onto the
ramps and let them be creative. In each case, remember
that kids want to touch, crawl
X
X
Have th
e kids
jump
over a
“swam
p” whic
h
is actu
ally a p
lastic
kiddie
pool. P
aint the
ir
faces i
n camo
uflage,
paint a
nd pas
s out
loaner
helmet
s.
a
N
R
up a
set,
y
l
up,
e
ativ age gro or
n
r
e
t
,
l
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hild
e. A
se b
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ll
en
ee
he
para ng par g, to k
the
of t
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aze
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ring un
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r
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e
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ill r
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e
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n:
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20 AIR SHOWS
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a
If you prefer, those books can
be set along an aviation
theme.
A performer might read the
same books and discuss them
with children during a school
visit, or ask the kids to bring
a sack lunch and hold a performer autograph and Q&A
session, based on the educational or scientific topic of
that book, during part of your
media show. Local EAA volunteers are particularly keen
on such programs, serving as
both mentors and as “tour
guides” for academic-theme
media shows.
In awarding the free tickets, or recognizing those who
have read the most, coin a
snappy name. One show calls
the kids “Ace Readers” or the
program, “Take Flight to
Books,” and uses other nicknames to recall famous flying
themes or aircraft.
Don’t forget to ask for, and
advertise, scholarships. Of
22 AIR SHOWS
course, pound for pound,
they’re an inefficient way to
distribute money. But the
public loves the idea. Some
shows award aviation scholarships by drawing; others dole
out educational money based
on essays or merit. Still others
designate a portion of show
proceeds and concessions to a
kid’s charity. In any case,
sponsors and the public cherish the idea.
School Daze
P
erformers relish
the chance to
mix with kids at
elementary
schools. Military
pilots offer a canned pep talk,
“stay in school,” and the like.
Anti-drug messages are the
norm. Both the Blues and
Thunderbirds will consider a
school visit sometime before
your show, if not the immediate week then perhaps two or
more weeks earlier while
crossing the nation.
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d
award
aviatio
n scho
larship
s
by draw
ing; oth
ers dol
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educat
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oney b
ased
on ess
ays or
merit
Here are some ways to differentiate such a visit.
Some schools offer a pilot
day in conjunction with an
air show. Children can dress
as pilots, stewardesses or
crew, or mechanics. During
one pilot day, a school decorates its hallways as runways,
and its cafeteria like an airport. Hopefully, it doesn’t
serve airport food.
Lunchrooms can become
hangars, the principal’s office
a control tower, and the hall
lights turned into night landing lights. Volunteers can rig
up airplanes, parachutes and
equipment in a contest using
only materials that are on
hand.
X
If the aircraft in question
can be disassembled with relative ease, do so, then assemble it with flair: inside the
school. One company built a
replica of an early wooden
airplane that tows to a site,
and quietly pieces it together
between homeroom and
lunch. By midday, the entire
elementary school arrives to
find an airplane in the school
gym or cafeteria.
If you’ve hired a performer
who is also a Certified Flight
Instructor, invite her to arrive
at your show earlier and, in
cooperation with your local
flight school, ask her to give
an introductory flight lesson
to the winner of an essay
contest. For example, “Why I
want to learn how to fly.” Be
sure to use the announcement of the essay contest as
an opportunity to promote
your show. Midweek before
your show, invite the press
out to report on the new student pilot. Ask the performer
to present a new logbook
with the first entry already
written in to the lucky new
student pilot during a lull in
the flying on Saturday or
Sunday.
ABIG OL’ BUNCH
Still stuck?
Here are 25 random
ideas, all kid-tested,
all air show tested.
X
BALLOON LAUNCH
Offer tethered hot air balloon rides for the younger crowd. Or untethered balloon rides up to around 2,000 feet, chased by a professional crew and landing
miles downwind a few hours later for around $200 per person or by family
package. A typical complement might run 30 to 40 balloons, but a festival will
count 150. Ask a sponsor to add a logo to the basket, a temporary banner on
the balloon itself, sponsor the chase vehicles, sponsor the inflating process, or
simply hot chocolate at 5:30 a.m. Sell or sponsor VIP rides at a lofty level.
CRAFT SHOW
a
Specialize in crafts where kids can participate. Toy soldiers, model houses, elementary crafts both for sale and in ad hoc workshops with all of the materials
provided by sponsors. Recruit either a general sponsor, or a craft sponsor like a
paint maker, fabric maker, or hobby store can sponsor the craft event in a
hangar. Don’t forget the music.
HARLEYS
Kids love motorcycles and you can get the Canadian Mounties, or your local
hog group, to sputter in. Children through adults can sit on the bikes, wail the
siren in short bursts, and see displays of precision riding. If the Mounties
come; kids will go wide-eyed at the uniform. If a local motorcycle group, sell
or give temporary tattoos, or whatever your favorite apparel cliche.
MAD SCIENCE
Hire the local science teacher, or any charismatic educator, to demonstrate
campy science tricks for elementary kids. Bubbling liquids and colorful clouds
are popular, using dry ice (consult a pro). Perhaps you’re an aviation purist:
demonstrate aerodynamics, wind tunnels, basic airfoil theory, or weather measurements. Follow a lecture on the science of wind measurement with a mass
balloon release.
CARTOON CHARACTERS
Dress up your show volunteers, either in full animal costume or simply with a
hat, shirt or even slip-on shoes that suggest a kid-friendly character. Post them
at ticket collection, concession sales, information booths, and at day-care.
24 AIR SHOWS
OF IDEAS
Q
WHERE’S THE FIRE?
Children love a fire truck, even one sitting on the ramp. Let children wear the
big boots, helmet or coat for a photo opportunity. Some local fire stations run
a child-size truck just for such promotions. If not, rig your own with bell,
working hose or water guns, and kid-size hook and ladder. These demos are
fun but carry a serious message: some shows rig-up a small tower, fill it with
non-toxic smoke, and teach kids how to escape the real deal.
Hold a kid fashion show; keep it to an aviation theme if you insist, but any
form of kid-friendly clothing will do. If you run the motorcycle demo above,
try a motorcycle fashion show.
HAVE A BALL
Ramps can hold group games for youth groups, ranging from portable basketball hoops, to badminton, to volleyball in a sand pit. Hire an expert to ensure
you have established a safe area for play, and bounce away. Try batting cages,
Nerf tosses, and even frisbee golf using soft, non-damaging discs from static to
static display.
R
STRUT IT
PAINT THE TOWN
Most children thrill at a painted face. Bring in multiple, wandering facepainters to cut down on lines and distribute the fun. Provide a painted face
instead of a stamped hand or printed ticket for entry to day care, bouncing
rides, or the midway.
END OF YOUR ROPE
Most operators have found that moving the rock wall, bungee jump and
velcro wall closer to the flight line generates business. Allow the older children
who frequent such attractions to see the air show; younger kid attractions can
go closer to the rear of the ramp. ☛ more
4Q 2000 25
ABIG OL’ BUNCH OF IDEAS
R
RACE AGAINST DRUGS
Provide miniature-scale powered cars, or pedal cars, or pedal airplanes, and
stage a race on an oval track with proceeds going to an anti-drug program.
TELL STORIES
In a hangar area, add a performer to tell kid stories. Station him or her near
the crafts area, face painting, or toy concession. Sell or allow kids to make simple puppets to join the story-telling action. Alternatively, let them roam the
ramp in costume and with portable sound.
BIG IRON
The FedEx 727 is popular with children, not because it is an uncommon airplane, but because it offers the all-important element of participation. Kids can
sit in the cockpit, manipulate the controls, and experience the real stuff.
SEND IN THE CLOWNS
N
Arrange for the local church group or charitable organization to staff up your
site with clowns. Roving magic acts, balloon shaping, handouts of product
samples, and interaction. Ask your sponsor for giveaways or samples.
CHILD PUBLISHING
Allow the local school newspaper to generate an air show-related issue. Help
them with artwork, adult direction, and supplies. Or create a genuine “media
day” making children members of the media for your pre-show. Have them
write a report describing the show, the acts, the airplanes, or another activity
on-site. Sell or sponsor low-cost point-and-shoot cameras to help the cause, or
offer them to the best reporters.
PHOTO CUTOUTS
Chances are you’ve tried a cockpit photo. But consider an astronaut cutout,
pilot cutout, or other sponsor-provided character or logo for picture-taking. Or
provide instant Polaroids, inserted into a sponsor-provided, cardboard photo
frame as a permanent show memory.
PICK A TOY
Rather than distribute set items to every kid, have a sponsor fund a series of
small items of perhaps 50 cents each, in a range of at least 25 different toys.
Have a couple of thousand small toys on hand. Let kids choose one from a big
basket after completing the kiddie obstacle course, or other challenge on the
ramp.
ROCKET SCIENTIST
Let kids make their own simple rockets using straws and simple accessories,
but keep this activity in a contained area to manage trash. Try the same idea
with wind-up airplanes, partially completed by the child. ☛ more
26 AIR SHOWS
ABIG OL’ BUNCH OF IDEAS
R
KIDDIE LINK TRAINER
Some groups have found success with mechanical, scale model aircraft built on
a swivel base or even a barber chair mount, allowing small children to control
the aircraft in three dimensions from the cockpit like a real trainer.
VINTAGE AIRCRAFT
d
Kids and seniors alike love the earliest flying machines with rotary engines and
romantic paint schemes, World War One bulls-eyes and stripes. Stage a skit in
period costume, having the old time pilot rescue the damsel. Play period music
during the presentation. Stage a “progression of flight” sequence, introducing a
representative aircraft by each decade, or by each mark in speed or performance. Hold a children’s contest beforehand to guess the correct order of
flight.
WATER WORLD
Let kids cool off under a structure of hollow three-inch PVC pipe, drilled with
pinholes and connected to a water supply. Locate it near an ample drain to
prevent flooding.
MAD DASH
Hold a charity race just for kids under age six, or under age 10, with appropriate distances and prizes. Award a T-shirt, hat or sport towel to all entrants.
FIRE, SPEED, NOISE
The perennial and increasing popularity of Robosaurus, Smoke n Thunder,
Monster Trucks, Shockwave, and other ground acts can be directly traced to
the popularity of those acts with children…particularly young boys. Though
all of these acts can be expensive, the air show industry is likely to see more
and more of them, particularly among those shows taking dead aim at the 1014 year old boy demographic.
WALK THROUGH TIME
Set up your tents to demonstrate a progression of technical developments to
flight, culminating in a dedicated area to flight simulators. Kids need to walk
by your concessionaires along the way.
FOR THE BIRDS
X
Some shows have gotten raves for an exhibit of falconry, or other birds on
perches indoors. Those with birds trained well enough to wander carry them
onto the ramp and give presentations linking the flight of birds, to the flight
of machines.
FIREWORKS
Every age likes them. Period. k
28 AIR SHOWS