I believe one of the keys to putting on an R/C airshow is keeping the crowd entertained... Essentially, you have to keep their attention and minimize dead time (you want something in the air at all times. Attached is a clip from our annual airshow flyer that shows our schedule of events. Over two days, we get on average approximately 2000 people through the gates. It's no small event. Attendance depends on your physical location. The schedule is action packed from start to finish and designed to run like a full-scale airshow. The acts are set up so that the main attractions are usually late in the afternoon (everyone comes for jets) and that there is a demonstration of everyhting that R/C has to offer.
Several items that are needed for such a show:
1. PA system and an announcer that won't put the crowd to sleep and that interacts with the crowd. Have a remote microphone that one can wander around with and talk to the spectators.
2. High quality pilots who are dependable and have reliable aircraft. Ones with smoke, special effects, etc are great.
3. Food/drinks
4. Restrooms/ hand wash stations (get extra if you need them for the event- our biggest complaint has been this believe it or not!)
5. Acts such as the flying lawnmower, snoopy's doghouse, fliyng witch, etc (We use an R/C skydiver carrying the US flag as our opening ceremony to the star spangled banner) For instance, we hide the flying lawnmower. Just prior to lunch, we divert the crowd to something going on in the infield - meanwhile the mower starts up and a guy pretends to mow the lawn. The announcer tries to get his attention and ask what he's doing mowing on the weekend. Of course, he can't hear and walks away from the mower, which then takes off...
6. Back up, or fill in aircraft and pilots that are ready to go on cue. One of the planned acts will always have a slight problem or delay.
7. Get local community involved. We invite the Boy Scouts to control parking (shuttles are needed to get to remote parking), etc. Invite the local rocket club, boat club, car club, etc.
8. Run a raffle that would give away useful stuff to someone wanting to get into the hobby.
9. Have an information booth.
10. Publicize the event in local papers, parenting magazines, TV (if you know people, it helps!), etc.
11. Let the crowd try their hand at R/C during a lunch break. Line all planes up for people to look at.
12. Have fun and enjoy putting on the show!
Also, our event is free to the public. No admission charge, or parking charge. Our snack-shack brings in $2000 or so over the weekend and is a nice fundraiser. Be sure to schedule the event around other items in the area and during nice weather!
So, I believe planned demo's work if one's homework is done.
Regards,
Michael
www.sccmas.org