Sun-n-Fun - Where did all the homebuilts go?

[Kyle Boatright]

A lot of those "missing" homebuilts were probably in HBC or General Air raft Camping. It is much more convenient to camp with your plane than to have to schlep your gear to a campground from HBP. Also, GAC and HBC don't get as much foot traffic from the general public, which minimizes some risk of damage from careless airshow attendees.

[Arlen]

Remember that the EAA officially separated itself from the regional events (including Sun n Fun) in 1989, and the Sun n Fun organization is now courting and working with a broad collection of many different aspects of flying and aviation as it caters to homebuilts, antique/classics, light sports, certified manufacturers, hot-air balloons, business aviation, avionics companies, all the other aviation-related gadgetry, and.....also wants to get the non-aviation public out there to see the stuff, pay admission fees to see the air shows, etc. ....and all while trying to accomplish their goals of inspiring and educating people of all ages.

It's very broad, and, while experimentals were its roots, they are just one part of the very big picture now.

.

[bsacks05]

HBC is a big reason I keep coming to back to SNF. Maryjane and crew are careful to make sure everyone there fills out a registration card. That way she can show accurate attendance and hopefully get appropriate resources from year to year. I don't have the numbers but it seems to me that year after year HBC is increasing in attendance as HBP has been decreasing.

I will get in touch with her and see if she can lobby for a closer location. First thing that comes to mind would be swapping sites with the seaplanes. That would get us a little closer. Plus there are a lot more of US than THEM.

[jclark]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

The posts above on weather, and Jame's insights are right on. The bottom line is that the events are what we make them. The purpose of the events is not to provide a homebuilders (or antiquers, or racers.....) Nirvana - it is to raise enough funds to cover the costs and provide annual funding for the organization's goals. In the case of Sun 'n Fun, they need to fund a year's worth of educational outreach. Homebuilders generally, as a group, don't have a lot of money - but the general public sure likes to buy tickets to see the Blue Angels! (Take a look at the photo gallery thread - many pictures that homebuilders took of the Blues as well...).

Paul is so correct. Remember, any of these events is a BUSINESS. (Unless there is some large benefactor piking up the tab.) The "gate" is up significantly when the Blues are there and thus the organizers "have to do what they have to do" for the existence of the show. Some of it you may not like but, it's not personal it is business. I did a lot of the interfacing with SnF regarding Team AeroDynamix. I know that the head of SnF likes the act. But once they got the Blues and the Raptor, I was told that there would not be the slots available as once discussed for 2014. With those large acts ($$$), they are able to attract a very large gate ($$$$$$$) and thus live to do the next year. I did not like it but I understood it.

I have only been doing SnF for a few years, but my observations are that HBC is where the life is - it is just too bad it is so far from the rest of the show. HBP is extremely problematic. it is right in front of the main show, where the public can see it - but the downside of being cordoned off from your plane for six hours is a killer. I planned to have dinner with friends who were staying in HBC and said I'd pick them up at 1800 - but then got busy and didn't get out to close up and cover Mikey before they closed the field at 1300. Had to wait at the gate until the show finished (late) and was almost an hour late for dinner.

I have been informed that MaryJane and the head of HB(P), along with "Lites" have discussed and are trying to sort out what is best in this matter. They are aware of the situation and are seeking a better solution. I know of no easy and obvious solution that will make everyone happy. If you have ideas, please let me know.

<Also, there is dialog within EAA to better enhance the sense of "community" at AirVenture as well.>

As Paul mentioned, the beauty of the HBP is that your brand spanking new RV is parked "front and center". But that has issues. If you moved HBP or HBC, where would you make it to?

By the way, this is RV related since MOST of the affected planes are RVs flown in by those of you reading this.

No - the show isn't really friendly for homebuilders - but it is not a homebuilt fly-in, it is an Air Show and GA fly-in. Many of the small venders who used to go have decided that it no longer supports their bottom line - but many others (thsoe REALLY tired of winter?) still come.

If only HBC wasn't so dang far away!

See above about far away.

The key, in my opinion, is how do you have the large event in such a manner that it feels personal to each and every set of stakeholders. And they RV builder and flyer community (though not exclusively) IS among the key stakeholders. That is what SnF must continually work on and so does EAA. And believe me, that dialog is occurring.

James

[Iluke]

Many of you have pointed out that I'd have seen many more RVs if I'd gone to HB camping and not just the HBP area. Thanks. I'm sorry I didn't think of that last week or I would have hiked out there!

[BillL]

Originally Posted by rv7charlie

. . . .

FWIW, SNF is just catching up with what OSH did many years ago. They couldn't care less if not a single homebuilt showed up; their revenue is from drive-ins coming to see the jet truck & military teams (your tax dollars at play).

Charlie

This may be the statistics, but I went, drove, (to OSH) many years to absorb the homebuilt "world" and it resulted in the purchase of an RV7 kit in progress, and many $ spent with Vans & Stein and others as a result of being there. Little to none of that money went overseas. As a dreamer, I went for the ideas and to see what other home builders were doing. I took my son to enjoy and share the experience with him. As a builder, I went for bargains, and keeping up with technology and the fascinating kits that were coming out, low and high dollar. This journey covered 10 years at least, so how many others are there for the same reasons. If I get turned off and others like me do, then what is the use of having the show? McDonalds makes a lot more money off drinks than anything else, but only selling the drinks because the profit margin is the highest does not make good sense.

I am looking forward to arrival (by wing) at SnF and OSH as an builder/owner next year and hope the thrill is still alive.

[vic syracuse]

I agree with a lot of the comments in this thread, but also wanted to add some REAL KUDOS to the HBC volunteers (Mary and gang). They were absolutely wonderful! It was the most fun we have had at any fly in since the early 80's! We hate not being able to spend time with our plane during the show at SNF, too. But it sure was nice to just go hang out in HBC during the show. And those girls on Wednesday night cut up at least 2 dozen chickens and fed all of us. It was like a Thanksgiving dinner. I had to keep pinching myself to remember that I was really still at SNF.

We will be going back!

Vic

[GeneL]

Maybe if the FAA had not started tagging planes for "non" safety related items (wrong color N numbers...) on day one more people would have flown in. In this age of internet and social media this news gets out instantly. I live 30 minutes from S-N-F by RV and might not be back for that hassle. The FAA wants to prove their mantra "Were not happy 'till your not happy".

[morganjp]

I was in HBC from Monday to Friday. I did get a blister on my foot from all the walking to and from HBC. The showers are an issue also. However Mary Jane and crew make it all worthwhile . I asked her to contact Charlie Becker at EAA and bring her hospitality to Oshkosh. Maybe James could help make that happen.
I noticed that they moved the LSA mall out to nowhere near HBC and that the previous LSA spot near the show entrance was empty all week prior to a car show they were having that weekend.
Gee and I though this was an air show and not a car show, go figure. It would have been great to stick HBC right there where everyone attending could see all the planes in HBC and we would not feel like we are the poor stepchildren of Sun n Fun.

John Morgan

PS I saw where Smilin 1 made the Sun n Fun Facebook page!!!

[Jrskygod]

This year was my first at Sun N Fun. What a great experience. Mary Jane and her group are what made it happen for me. They were in a word AWESOME. I had no knowledge of what to expect or do and they welcomed me as a long lost brother and educated me in the ways of sun n fun. Without their help I would have been lost. I met many new friends and was able to put faces on those I have seen here on VAF. Yep another location closer to the action might have been better but the trams were always there to take me where I wanted to go. Not having a throng of folks traipsing through my campsite might have been a good thing too.