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The National Air Races-- A Big Business Project By Phillip Henderson Assistant Manager [[Image]] Behind the glowing panorama of speed and thrills in the air above Los Angeles' municipal airport during the National Air Races, there is a story of twelve weeks of elaborate planning and intensive activity to prepare for handling several hundred visiting airplanes and a quarter of a million spectators. It was in 1928 that Los Angeles first proved its ability to conduct a truly great air meet. In that year, a new standard of major air shows was established at Los Angeles municipal airport (then known as Mines field). Since that time, the National Air Races have been conducted at Cleveland in 1929, 1931 and 1932, and at Chicago in 1930. Returning to the birthplace of the National races as we now know them, the world's greatest aviation sporting event is offering to contestants this year the largest daily prize money in the history of competitive flying. Sponsors of the event his year have underwritten a total of $50,000 in prize money and have donated valuable trophies and plaques, the value of which equals that of the cash purse. The entire awards this year are devoted to free-for-all racing events, to encourage the development of new designs and improvements in airplanes and motors. An almost inconceivable amount of detail attends the preparations. A short three months before the opening day, an experienced staff was selected to handle the many details involved in handling a great racing project. Department were set up to handle publicity, advertising, social events, displays, radio, ticket sales, reception, courtesies, and a multitude of administrative and stenographic details. Local support was secured and a sponsoring committee set up to represent a cross-section of Los Angeles' financial, industrial, political and civic life. Actual preparations for the National Air Races falls into two classifications. On the physical side is the handling of thousands of spectators, participants and officials with a minimum of confusion. To accomplish this effectively requires the careful planning of the physical plant and an efficient organization of hand-picked field attendants, ushers, gatemen, concessionaires and other employees. Arrangements must be made to service hundreds of airplanes, using different kinds of fuels and lubricants. Pilots and flying personnel, both civilian and military, require special accommodations. Visiting dignitaries and aviation executives receive special courtesies and consideration. Press representatives and radio announcers are provided with working facilities consisting of broadcasting rooms and typewriters, in addition to the services of a press information bureau. Not the least of the problem is that of feeding 50,000 persons with good food at reasonable prices between the afternoon and evening performances. Parking areas with space for more than 25,000 automobiles have been provided, while on the the field equipment has been installed for tying down visiting planes for which no hangar space is available. The contest committee bears the responsibility of conducting all speed events to the satisfaction of judges, contestants and spectators. Its work must be closely coordinated with that of the timers and judges whse decisions determine the official recording of records and the distribution of prize money. In contrast to the physical preparations for the air classic are the less tangible efforts of a large corps of efficient office workers. In nearly every department, contracts are awarded on the basis of competitive bidding. Reviewing the respective bids and awarding contracts involve tremendous detail and the application of sound business principles. When publicity, advertising, construction, promotion, concessions and transportation contracts have been let, their execution still requires minute supervision. Literally tons of mail are distributed by the ticket, advertising and publicity departments. preparation of such correspondence requires a corps of high-caliber typists and stenographers. The publicity campaign is conducted through metropolitan and community newspapers, wire and photograph syndicates, and magazines. Advertising is carried out through a wide variety of media ranging from 30-foot billboards to two-inch stickers for correspondence. Windshield emblems, electrotypes, folders, direct-mail literature, tire covers, poster and window cards, newspapers and magazines are used to advertise the races. Promotion is carried on with the cooperation of merchants who give space to air race window displays. Practically every radio station in the state donates time for broadcasting the story of the air races, while national manufacturers turn over portions of their programs for broadcasts over national networks. (Continued on Page 38) 1933 - NATIONAL AIR RACES PAGE 25
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