Smaller event to replace Airport Day

The Fort Scott Airport Advisory Board has grounded the idea of an Airport Day for 2014, but has not ruled out planning an event for 2015.

Members of the board met Thursday for continued discussion on the future of the fall event and whether it would be more feasible to host a smaller event such as a fly-in breakfast this year. The 2013 Airport Day was cancelled due to the fact the 2012 event lost money and the city made up for the loss by paying expenses from the city budget. The board met Thursday with the focus of making a decision on whether to plan a 2014 event.

The board approved moving forward with planning for a fly-in event and set a date of Sept. 13. Airport Day has traditionally taken place on the second Saturday in September and board members agreed to keep with this date for this year's fly-in event.

A fly-in event would involve any number of planes flying into the airport, possibly to perform some tricks or give rides, and also static displays such as planes or classic cars that could be viewed by the public. The pilots spend the day in Fort Scott before flying back out.

"Airplanes fly in and have breakfast or lunch," Airport Manager Kenny Howard said.

The main reasons the board has decided to downsize this year are costs related to the event and the lack of someone to step up and take on the responsibilities involved with organizing an air show, Howard said.

"Fuel prices are still pretty expensive," Howard said during the meeting. "If we donated fuel like last year, the city would be out $6,200 again."

Until the economy improves and more sponsors can be attracted, "we're struggling if we try to pull an air show off," Howard said.

Board members agreed to each take responsibilities for planning and organizing this fall's planned fly-in event, including contacting pilots and sponsors about their interest in participating, sending invitations and asking for donations. Members also discussed possible incentives for pilots to fly in, such as free meals or deals on fuel purchased at the airport.

"Pilots have breakfast for free, and the community is invited to attend," Howard said. "The board members will try to put some things together. Maybe some special events like spot landing and fun things for the pilots to do."

Howard said his job would be to "make sure the airport is ready" for the fly-in event.

City Manager Dave Martin, who attended the meeting, said the city would be on board to help with the fly-in.

"Anything we can do to highlight our airport," he said. "People love Airport Day."

Board members discussed differences between a full-blown air show and a smaller fly-in, including costs, logistics and the amount of people and planes that these events draw. For the fly-in, pilots pay for their own fuel. Also, no FAA involvement is needed, officials said.

"An air show draws a lot more people than a fly-in," Howard said. "You never know what you'll get on a fly-in as far as number of planes. And there's not nearly as much expense tied to it. It takes about $15,000 to put an air show on."

Some city funds may be available to help pay for invitations, advertising and any incidentals related to the fly-in event, officials said. Martin said city staff will organize a catered lunch for the pilots.

On a separate note, Howard said the Fort Scott airport's "name is in the hat" as a potential stop this year on the All Kansas Air Tour.

"They fly to as many airports as possible, usually around the end of September or first of October," he said.

Board member Shawn Goans motioned and Jim Gladbach seconded the motion for a fly-in event for Sept. 13 and all members approved. The board members set another meeting to discuss their progress on planning the event for noon March 20. The board left open the possibility of holding Airport Day again in 2015.

Present for the meeting were Goans, Howard, Gladbach, Ken Lyon and Greg Post. Newly-appointed board member William "Buck" Fischer was not present Thursday.