Article written for UltraFlight magazine 
January 2004 by Frederick Scheffel

So you want to have a PPC fly-in!

 Why?  ‘Cause fly-in’s are fun – a lot of fun! 

 Your timing is good.  Now is the time of the year to consider the PPC flying season schedule for next year.  Now is the time to decide to have or not have your fly-in.  But a few things really need to be considered…

1. Your fly-in Objective…

·        Do you want to make $$$ (Money) – [OK, you are kidding right!  You really are not serious about actually trying to produce an income at your event – right?  Ok, I thought you were just kidding!]

·        You just want to share the skies with a bunch of your friends (and to meet new friends) [Note: This may be the most popular.  And it is definitely the easiest & the fastest to produce!]

·        To help the PPC community by promoting Safety & Educational seminars among the PPC pilots.  [Note: This is of course the most “noble” of objectives – but it will come at a higher cost of time and expenses!]

2. Your Cost…
   [Note: When you consider cost – do not forget the cost of your time.  And if your time is taken from normal income producing “time” (i.e., you are not retired) – that is usually the most costly entity of the event!]
1. Expenses

                                                              i.      Leasing a field

                                                           ii.      “T”-shirts (and don’t forget the designing of the graphics)

                                                         iii.      Insurance

                                                          iv.      Food – are you going to feed the pilots, or are they “on-their-own”?

                                                            v.      Competition items

1.       Awards (trophies or plaques)

2.     Nets, balloons, targets, ‘bombs’, etc.

                                                          vi.      Advertising – getting the “word” out to pilots and the public

                                                       vii.      Speakers

                                                     viii.      Tents

                                                         ix.      Safety fence

2. Income

                                                              i.      Pilot Registrations

                                                           ii.      Introductory Flights for the public

                                                         iii.      Manufacturers

                                                          iv.      Organizations – it never hurts to ask for financial help

                                                            v.      Vendor booths

                                                          vi.      Food booths

                                                       vii.      Raffles (Note: These may not legal in some areas)

                                                     viii.      50-50 cash drawings (Note: These may not legal in some areas)

                                                         ix.      Donated cash (by spectators and wealthy pilots)

                                                            x.      Auction donated items
[Note: if some items are donated, how are you going to return the favor to the Donation Sponsors – as “Thanks” - as a bear minimum they deserve advertising at your event] 

3. Your Dates – you do not want to interfere with another large PPC event that most of your pilots will want to attend, and therefore put the pilots into a dilemma ‘spin’.
   
   
4. Your Responsibilities
1. Safety – by far, and without a doubt – your #1 concern

                                                              i.      For the Pilots – Pilot Briefings should be mandatory!  Daily!

                                                           ii.      For the PPC’s - security

                                                         iii.      And safety for the (mostly naïve) Public!

2. First Aid - Who will be available, and how do you contact them?
3. Lost Pilots
4. Legal

                                                              i.      Are you going to let ‘FAT’ ultralights fly?

                                                           ii.      Are you going to let un-registered two-seat PPC’s fly?

                                                         iii.      Are you going to let non-current BFI’s take humans in the 2^nd seat?

                                                          iv.      Are you going to let ‘low-hour’ or “questionable” BFI’s take the public?

                                                            v.      Forms and Waivers

5. Insurance?

                                                              i.      Are you going to protect the land owners? 

                                                           ii.      The public?

6. Conveniences

                                                              i.      Port-a-potties

                                                           ii.      Water

                                                         iii.      Showers?

                                                          iv.      Do you want to make gasoline available?

5. Options
1. Competitions –  will they be for fun or “bragging-rights”
2. Group Cross-country flights
3. Entertainment – Do you want the pilots to have something to do, when they cannot fly?
4. Inviting the Public – but know, if they see you – they will come (whether you want them, or not)
5. Intro flights
6. Food – how are these human pilots going to eat?

                                                              i.      Local restaurants

                                                           ii.      Via your hospitality (bar-b-ques each night, sandwich lunches, muffin breakfast

                                                         iii.      Food vendors

7. Camping – do you have room for tents?  For RV’s?  Are campfires OK?
8. Educational seminars
9. BFI Refresher course

Yep, a Powered Parachute fly-in is indeed – without a doubt – great fun.  They can be a great opportunity for you to help our sport by increasing the knowledge and safety of the PPC pilots via educational seminars.  They increase the camaraderie among your fellow pilots.  And it is just enjoyable to share the skies with other PPC’s.

 Just know your event objective before you begin your activities, and keep SAFETY the number ONE priority. 

 [Note to fly-in attending pilots: Now that you are more educated as to what is needed to create them – I hope you will be more willing to lend a hand when you get there!]

 OK, now you have a choice.  You can go for the whole “nine-yards” and consider the necessary details of each of the above items that are involved in PPC event.  Or just start with small, simple gatherings.  You do not need to be overwhelmed by the work that is needed to have an event.  Sometimes, if you think about it too much – you won’t do it.  And they are great fun!  Just keep it safe!  Just start with a few guys (and gals) that want to get together and fly.  And then, let the event evolve.  That is how the Albuquerque Hot Air balloon festival got started…

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