Hi everyone, I was wondering if any of you could tell me how to get sponsors... I want to get a giantscale plane that I can take to competitions and do 3D. I do 3d with the smaller planes, I just need a sponsor(s) so I can get to the giants. Between college and everything else I am not sure how, so thats why I ask about the sponsors...
Thanks

I'm sponsored by Visa Card!

Seriously..do a "Search" on "Sponsors"/"Sponsorship".

Then get another Visa card.

Hey Chuck, I was briefly sponsored by visa also. They must not have liked how I performed as they sent Bill over to see my wife. My sponsorship terminated shortly after that.

You too huh..

ROFL @ trailingedge

my Mastercard sponsorship lasted until the 40%. I found you could delay the termination by intercepting the mail, but the resultant checkbook reconciliation ended mine as well.

OK.. all the kidding aside.. sponsorships are not easy to come by. You have to sell yourself for starters. You need to bring something to the table. Why should a company sponsor you? What value do you bring them?

Many people think sponsorship is all about free stuff.. and they couldn't be more wrong. When you become sponsored by a company you in effect become a part of their marketing department. Everything you do and say reflects back on that company. It is not all about the flying. There are a LOT of very talented pilots out there who would not make good reps.

There are really 2 kinds of sponsored pilots out there..

1) The top competitor. This person is consistently in the public eye at the top of their game, be it aerobatics, scale, racing, whatever. They 'sell' the things they represent by winning.

2) The ambassador. This is the person who everyone relies upon when they need help. They go out of their way to assist others and are great PR for their companies for their attitude at the field and other events.

It's a rare find when you get both types in the same pilot. Believe it or not.. the people I deal with would MUCH rather have the second type than the first.

Doug Cronkhite
Team JR

I agree with dcronkhite

I am sponsored by Desert Aircraft and Jasons model concepts. I fly allot. I am always at the field flying and helping others with their planes. It is not about free stuff. I get a substantial discount from my sponsors but it is all about representing your sponsors. people always ask me why I have certain graphics on my plane. I tell them they make a great product and it works great. Not allot of people at the field I fly at have D.A engines but at least 5 times a day people ask me what engine do you have in your plane?. You do not have to be a God like pilot just very good. I thought you had to fly unlimited IMAC before people would start to look at you. I was wrong. When I started flying Intermediate this year that is when people started noticing me. That is when I got sponsored. I am going after 2 more sponsors this year. It is not all about how well you fly 3D either. I do fly 3D as well as IMAC. I could be flying a higher class but I'm not in a big hurry. I want a strong foundation. I will start flying Advance next year. I started flying a couple of years ago and was in the Basic class last year. If you fly very good or better and are very good with people you should be able to get sponsored quite easily!

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to even write letters to companys that have nothing to do with rc, that might make the trip a little easyer... Thanks again!!!