Flyin Hosting.

B

BoBoggs

Level Cruise
Greetings,

I am trying to put together a "package" for event hosts. I would like all of you to comment on what you would like to see as events and tips or comments on the mechanics for hosting one.

Post your comments in this thread, or if you wish them to be kept private, email them to me at [email protected]. I will look over all of them and generate a document or series of documents that covers the information in an organized fashion.

I am also trying to generate a more complete history of all the previous BAC events. Those of you who hosted previous events could help me immensely if you would forward me lists of attendance (as best you can reconstruct) and any comments regarding the event. I will be very grateful for all the help I can get on this. With a more complete history, we can better see what worked and what didn't. This will also help in determining what information is important in the hosting package and what is helpful.
 
Bo, this is a great topic to bring up as we get ready for the upcoming spring & summer flying season.

There seems to be some misconceptions that fly-ins need to be some elaborate, over-night event with entertainment, activites and such. That is NOT the case!!!

Simple fly-ins with just a few planes showing up for a breakfast, or a burger or just a cup of coffee will suffice. The point is to provide a venue for the fly-in and have members get together. Certainly the host can do much more but it is not necessary.

In fact, I have just published the new President Trophy points criteria and I hope you find points even easier to earn and that the new rules help to provide more spontaniety in organizing fly-ins.

See the new rules here.

With the shorter lead time to host an event, the so called "pop up" fly-ins can be easily arranged to take advantage of good weather.

So please, read over the PT rules, think about having an event in your area and let's break the records for most fly-in's, most PT points and most fun!!!!

Fly Safely!
Chris L.
KSLC
 
As the newly "drafted" Northwest Regional director, I will be following this thread with great interest. I read the links that Mike R put up, some interesting stuff. But I do hope more members chime in here. I hope to host a couple of memorable, fun events in the near future. Ideas are GREATLY appreciated!

Thom Smith
KLGD in the Blue mountains of Northeastern Oregon
 
I originally thought there would be a modest interest in parts swaps and parts purchases. But after hauling stuff to the first three or four events, I gave up on that idea. Almost zero activity, even after advance notification of availability.

I would love to see more members create a 'baby book' for their plane. It can contain history, equipment, unique features, unique experiences, published articles, etc. The 3-ring binders containing pages with the static-cling overlay for photos are a great start. You can add some heavy-duty page protectors; and the quality version can hold printed magazines, parts lists, etc. In decent weather members can place these by an open baggage door at fly-ins, to share their baby's information. This can also help new members get good ideas for their planes.
 
Well, I wondered about the "swap meet" thing, glad I won't be the person to find out its a flop. But I really do like the baby book idea.
I have our local A&P IA willing to do some sort of maintenance clinic and free or near free minor maintenance to attendees.

Of course, I will be plagerizing on the brilliance and knowledge of the group's experience!
 
Gee gang,

Not that your comments so far aren't good and useful, but...

I was hoping to get more in the line of hows, not whys. How did you go about arranging :
food
ground transport
lodging
special events
etc.

I know that few events will require all of these, but all events require at least one of them. I know how we (Sandra and I) made the arrangements for Longview in 2006, but that is the only direct experience I have.
 
Bo,

I usually plan things with food on the field, food joint provides car (i.e. Lamberts), get count of people before hand to arrange car, less than 1% of the events involve lodging. Look for easy day trips for your region and try to host in different parts of the region. Look for a local to help talk with FBO. Usually never worry about trying to arrange discounts at FBO, but will do a raffle for $50 for gas or something like that. Events don't have to be fancy at all. I would rather have a larger number of events in different areas than long fancy events. Something as simple as talking with some region members to see if lunch at said location in a few weeks sounds good. If you get more than three saying yes then post that sucker for more people and PT points.

Hope that helps,
Doug
 
Having never been an organizer, I can only respond with how I hope to accomplish or arrange those things:

Food - I am hoping to do one or more of my smoked Prime ribs, and have an informal hanger/stack chair meal. In lieu of that we do have some good restaurants.

Ground support- we have norental cars in my area if an event is planned here, but the FBO has several courtesy cars including a 11 passenger van.

Lodging- I was simply going to see if any of the local motels will be willing to give us a block rate, and we also have a historic hotel here in Union (10 mile drive) that has a good restauant on the ground floor.

Special events- I am thinking about a bronze foundry tour at a local foundry by the famous Manuel family, and perhaps a wine tasting event at our only winery (kinda new). Other than that, I have gottem a commitment from our local A&P IA to hold some sort of maintenance clinic, based on some polls or membership input here, with his willingness to make simple repairs for little if nothing in cost. If I cannot get our county operations to offer reduced fuel, or some fuel free as a prize of some sort, I am thinking about utilizing the $$ set aside for these events ($200 plus $5 per member regionally) to accomplish the same.

I have already gotten some commitments from Aviation industry vendors (Seattle Avionics, and LoPresti) for some freebies to give away as well.


I am looking for all ideas and input, so bring em on!!
 
Thom,

If you get can Oregon Aero to give a freebie of a free seat recover or two then I will fly form GA to OR. :)

Doug
 
Sounds like you have a good handle on it already.

Smoked prime rib? Man, that sounds good! You are a long way from Wisconsin, though.
 
rgschmi said:
Sounds like you have a good handle on it already.

Smoked prime rib? Man, that sounds good! You are a long way from Wisconsin, though.
Click to expand...

Bob,
We can have a fly in here at Plane Safe and then Thom can bring his smoked prime rib!!!! :lol: Man, I am full of great ideas or what????

Sam
 
Geez, Sam, I thought we'd take your 'new' Musketeer and new private license and fly out west to Thom's fly-in!

Seriously, I've been meaning to ask if you would be interested in hosting a fly-in sometime. I'll chat with you offline about it.

Bob
 
Tom,

The local Bonanza boys have an annual Beech Days in June at Vista Field in Kennewick. Several BAC Members were there 2 years ago. I couldn't make it last year because of the weather. You may want to get in touch with them, and see if we can make this a Dual Sponshorship event. You could check with Dale Heming in Olympia. His phone is 866-359-8625, and his e-mail is [email protected]

By the way, thanks for "volunteering" for Regional Director. I was starting to feel guilty, and considered volunteering, but now I am Guilt-Free!

Ron Sellers
 
Ron, you dog! I shoulda held out!!!!

Just kidding, I am actually looking forward to to challenges and rewards that will NO DOUBT be part of this assignment. I was at BeechDay at Vista (S98) the last three years, and I thought about trying to co-ordinate something with them. But I really am hoping to put something together before the usual June event. We'll see.
 
I have found that most of the small fly-ins I host must:
Be relatively SHORT- 10AM-2PM is about it. MOst want to get home and with 3-6 planes it does not take long to see them all.
FOOD: I always have something easy to fix so I can accomodate variable attendees. I have a contact to get bulk BBQ and that works good and also Hot Dogs (can keep frozen until needed). I usually put up an announcement at my airport a week or 2 in advance and charge "walk ups" $1-2 for a meal. BAC members and local instructors are free. (good PR).
Many walk ups, "donate" more because they like the idea,
I always have copies of BAC TALK on the table and am making some new copies of old versions RIGHT NOW!.
Althouth my Fly-ins are not SUPER attended, I do get several DRIVE in BAC members as well as fly-in ones.
I have to get more BAC membership stuff, like Postcards, or make up some business cards with the website on it and logo.
I'll be watching this thread for more ideas. I want to have a fly-in this spring since WInter at Wilgrove was cancelled due to weather but right now I've got another high priority item to take care of.
 
Great input and discussion going on here. Just a reminder to anyone planning to host/organize an event, you MUST advise the appropriate regional director. I put it that way because a host/organizer is not restricted to their region but if you do go outside your region to host an event, you must contact and advise the appropriate regional director. It would be a nice gesture to advise your own RD as well.

Anyway, sounds like we are having some enthusiasm building for some great fly-ins this year.

Come one, come all!!!!

Chris L.
Salt Lake City, UT
 
rgschmi said:
Geez, Sam, I thought we'd take your 'new' Musketeer and new private license and fly out west to Thom's fly-in!

Seriously, I've been meaning to ask if you would be interested in hosting a fly-in sometime. I'll chat with you offline about it.

Bob
Click to expand...


Bob,
Stop on over. We would definately be game for a fly-in event! I would even take the Mouse around the patch to say I flew in!!! :lol:
Give me a call!
Sam
 
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