Better Way to Reach Customers: SkyStar May Pay You To Fly A Kitfox

"What could be better than having the fun of flying a new Kitfox and getting paid for it?" Ed Downs, President of SkyStar Aircraft, posed this question, as he mulled the other option: going to Sun 'n Fun. "This idea came up as we were discussing SkyStar's participation in the 2003 airshow season," He wrote us. "We came to the very difficult business decision that, for the first time in 17 years, SkyStar would not attend Sun 'N Fun 2003." As most readers know, Sun 'n Fun is considered the marketing kickoff for a kit plane manufacturer's sales year, and attendance by the industry is often perceived as compulsory. But Downs offered some interesting viewpoints.

SNF: Expensive show that doesn't pay...

"The business reality is," continued Downs, "that Sun 'n Fun is the most expensive and labor intensive airshow we attend each year, but it has delivered ever-decreasing benefit to our marketing efforts and flight demonstration capabilities.  Megabuck airshows simply increase the cost of our products to the consumer, unless a lot of sales are generated."

Home: a better venue for test flying?

The economics make sense, but what about the ability to see and fly the latest and the greatest? Downs answers, "It is very important for a prospective kit plane purchaser to fly the plane of their dreams and, ideally, meet the people who build them. But, major airshows are a difficult, and sometimes dangerous, place to demonstrate an airplane. Very often, an airplane on display may not be moved once it is in its show location. Flying that can be done is often accomplished at the end of the show day, with tired demo pilots and crowded traffic patterns. In many cases, the customer doesn't even get to handle the controls! This is not a good deal for the customer." So, what's the solution?

Idaho's gorgeous that time of year. The airspace is 'cleaner,' too...

"Simple," says Downs. "Visit SkyStar on our dime, get a real demonstration flight with some backwoods scenery, see the plant and meet the people, all in a safe, relaxed atmosphere. We plan to offer this fly-to-buy package up through Sun 'N Fun 2003 as a way for folks to meet the Kitfox without all the airshow hype.  Some conditions (call 800-554-8369 or go to their web site for details) must be met before one will qualify for the fly-to-buy package, but the end result is that you can fly a Kitfox in beautiful Idaho with SkyStar picking up a good deal of the bill. There is really nothing to lose and a lot of knowledge to gain!" 

SkyStar's going to the worthwhile shows, too.

And what about attending other airshows? Downs adds, 'We will certainly be at EAA AirVenture 2003 and Arlington, in addition to giving a number of great regional shows a hard look. We are well aware that 2003 marks the 100th anniversary of flight, and Kitfox has no intention of missing out on the party!"

FMI: www.skystar.com