Peter R. wrote:
On 5/4/2007 9:20:00 AM, Margy Natalie wrote:


Yeah, I sucker, I mean I get about 50 pilots to volunteer to work the
day. They stand next to their airplane all day while visitor come up
and ask questions and stare at their planes.


Ahh, I am sorry. I mistook your "fly-in spots" to mean any fly-in visitor to
the event, not those who volunteer their time and aircraft. Very neat idea,
there.

Do you only solicit volunteers at Oshkosh?

No, the Oshkosh thing wasn't my idea :-). This is only the 3rd year for
the event.

The first year I invited only people I knew really well who I was
absolutly sure wouldn't screw up in the ADIZ and class B. My agreement
with the airport was for 30 aircraft and it worked out fairly well,
although there was some overheating on departures (long taxi, delays in
getting off). We had 2 Harriers from the Marines (Pax River). 1 glider
trucked in.

Year two - I invited everyone from year one back and added a number of
aircraft that were suggested by the GA curator including some antiques
(read no transponders). The FAA was GREAT in working out flights of two
to get the non-transponder equiped aircraft in. The event went to 50
aircraft (workload for me more than doubled and this event is something
I put together in addition to my real job!). We had an F 18 from the
Navy (Pax River). We also added a hot air balloon, more gliders and
hang gliders (if it's trucked in it "doesn't count" in my 50 aircraft
agreement with the airport. Tower said "if your pilots ask for
intersection departures it might get things moving a bit better". So
pilots asked for intersections and if it would help move things along
them got them. Still we had some overheating issues (it's still a LONG
taxi no matter what).

Year three - I've lost my mind and gone to 50 AIRPLANES and up to 10
helicopters. My dance card is full with a waiting list. This is the
first year I've had more aircraft apply than I've had spots as I always
controlled the invite list more closely. I HATE telling people they
can't come. Of course the first two years I had last minute drop outs
and I'd have to hustle, this year it will be a quick email to the next
on the list. I have some really cool hot air balloons coming from NJ

http://www.skychariot.com/

I'm still looking for more gliders, hang gliders, anything than can come
in by truck.

I've got some really cool things that are still not rock solid. I'll
tell you about them when the ink is dry on the paperwork.

AND THAT'S JUST THE OUTSIDE STUFF!!

I always focus on the fly-in part of the day because I organize it. On
the inside of the museum is a full fledged family day organized by one
of the best - Gloria. She manages to get all sorts of individuals and
groups in for the day to provide educational activities and all sorts of
other cool stuff. Kids (of all ages) will have fun all day.

Jen- Our discovery station person manages to hustle up a ton of teenage
volunteers for the day to work lots of discovery stations (we make it
hard on her by timing this perfectly with our high school graduation
weekend!).

So even if the fly-in part gets rained out (I didn't say that did I?)
there will still be lots to do.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

On Sunday there is a huge car show accross the road at Sully Plantation,
hence the new marketing plan "Wings and Wheels Weekend".

So, if you happen to be in Northern Virginia that weekend (June 16) it's
a fun thing to do!

Margy