Air Extravaganzas Are A Great Way To Show Off Your Airport, But If You Can’t Afford One, There Is Another Way To Go

We have recently seen airports with long-running annual airshows putting their events on hold, or discontinuing them all together. It’s discouraging, and it seems that a lack of funding is the biggest cause. However, if you’re trying to show the value of an airport to people who really don’t know much about it, there is another way to go. It’s called, an air event.

An air event is simply a happening at your airport that brings non-aviators out to see what’s going on. This doesn’t have to be a full-blown airshow but it does have to be entertaining. The story of Cushing, OK, a small community in the North Central part of the state, can provide an example. Cushing will be holding its 3rd annual Fourth of July open house this year. Its primary purpose is to introduce the local community and surrounding communities to the value of the city’s municipal airport.

The Cushing Airport Board realized this event can’t be complicated or expensive, but it can be entertaining. Local pilots displayed their airplanes, which included the standard fare along with some homebuilt airplanes, a couple of the corporate jet and a few warbirds. They also had some great airplanes flown in by EAA chapter 1046 in nearby Ponca City OK, and the warbirds made the trip to Cushing from Tulsa. A local car club also provided a lineup of classic cars. The FBO sweetened the pot by providing fuel at a discounted price.

A group known as the Cushing Airport Support Wing, which is a 501c3 organization, offered scenic rides for a small fee. These rides were under the guidance of, and approved by, the FAA. The funds collected help support the airport and are applied to future events. An all-volunteer group ran the show from about 2 o’clock in the afternoon until the early evening. The Fourth of July fireworks show took place at the airport after dark.

The event was advertised in the community and surrounding towns through posters donated by the local newspaper. A food court was set up and operated by the Rotary Club, and a play area with supervised activities was provided for the small children.

No one got an accurate count of how many people attended, but the place was packed and well over 100 people took airplane rides. It helped show local residents they are welcome at their airport, and it didn’t break the bank.

Could this sort of an event lead to a professional airshow at some point in the future…Who knows?

(Photos by Earl Downs)

FMI: www.eaa.org  www.aopa.org