By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

The Nephi Chamber of Commerce would like there to be a summer airshow at the municipal airport on a bi-annual basis.
They would also like the event turn into a staple on the community’s summertime events calendar.
Mike Price, representing the chamber of commerce, met with Nephi City Council to discuss the proposal.
The chamber is proposing a bi-annual event named the Nebo Air Fest, an airshow.
“As business owners and chamber of commerce members, we are enthusiastic about our city and the life we enjoy here,” said Price.
The chamber, he said, continually looks for avenues to promote local business and ways to bring additional income and traffic to Nephi.
“It is our understanding that the Ute Stampede started as a chamber of commerce event,” he said. “As the Stampede is a staple to the community, we would like to propose a new activity to promote not only the city and its amenities but give the local businesses and community an avenue to give back to the community that we all love.”
The proposal is that the airshow would be held every other year at the municipal airport beginning this year.
The event would be held on June 4 and 5 and would begin with a kickoff banquet at 6 p.m. which will be open, with admission, to the public.
“We would alternate with the Hill Air Force Air Show,” said Price. “We picked our time this year so that we would not conflict with the Springville balloon show.”
“This project demands significant support from the community and from the city,” said Price.
The city is asked to allow use of and unrestricted access to the city airport (U14) for the day of the event and for a period of time up to the event.
The city is also requested to provide sanitation services for the days preceding and through the event, provide a bleacher seating area and procure and pay for the necessary insurance for the event.
“We ask that you generously contribute to the bottom line of the event, as to help enable the event organizers provide a show to the paying public that will benefit the community and draw traffic to our community,” said Price.
The initial proposed budget is $40,000, he said.
“As the event stands, at this point, the Nephi City Chamber of Commerce has pledged $1,300 toward the event,” Price said.
The hope is that other sponsors will also contribute to the event and that the concession and Friday night banquet will also aid in paying the costs.
“Airshows with similar statistics are showing $60,00 to $100,000 in revenue from their events with less than 10 years in operation,” he said. “The Nebo Air Fest will eventually support itself, however, it needs assistance to get its propeller turning to let it eventually take off and be self-supportive.”
“Have you contacted the travel council?” asked Randy McKnight, city administrator. “Their task is to promote Nephi City.”
Council members will need to consider the request for funding to determine what, if anything, they can contribute monetarily.
At the Friday dinner, Price said, there will be a motivational speaker and a tribute to the military and to patriotism will be the theme.
The chamber is also considering holding a hanger dance that evening with a reasonable admission which would be open to the public. The other event they are considering is a movie with admission and concessions.
The concession would be available for a fee to organizations in the community.
“On Saturday, June 5, would be the airshow event and entertainment with a reasonable admission charged,” Price said.
Static and motion events will be included as part of the show.
One potential for airshow performers and entertainment would be Franklin’s Flying Circus.
The chamber is looking at airshow participants such as a pilot who does a comedy air act. The trained pilot poses as an impaired truck driver evading police who steals a running piper cub.
“This act has gone viral on youtube.com and has gained the pilot worldwide recognition,” he said.
Another act might feature a wing-walking acrobatic performance with a husband and wife team who perform in an historic Waco Biplane.
A solo aerobatic show would feature high energy aerobatics in the Waco Biplane.
There were 28 pilots who participated in the 2007 event, said Price. The chamber thinks that the resumption of the event would be a good thing.
He said if the military would be allowed to do recruiting at the show, they would provide some events for the airshow.
Possibilities include fly-bys by the United States Air Force; a Utah National Guard static display of a Howitzer, a Hum Vee, and a portable rock wall; an air national guard jet dragster which is a jet that performs high speed drag racing style passes down the runway with speeds nearing 400 mph.
The Commemorative Air Force from Heber will offer, for static display, a WWII PV-2 twin engine torpedo bomber which is one of only two flying in the world. The organization will offer rides to paying customers and the profits will be split with the airshow.
The Commemorative Air Force from Grand Junction, CO, offered to bring a static display of a WWII TBM Single Engine Torpedo Bomber which is very rare.
Area flight schools will attend and offer information regarding flight training and may offer introductory flights to interested parties.
Price said that interest has been noted for dune buggy/sand rail vendors, off road equipment vendors, monster truck display and private aircraft of those who attend the event.
Past vendors and vendors from other carnivals and craft fairs will be contacted to reserve a space in the static display area at a cost of $25 per 10-foot by 10-foot space.
“All efforts will be taken to ensure the airshow and its operation is in compliance with FAA regulations, city and county laws and any additional requirements that become known to the event staff,” said Price.
“Airspace will be controlled on the day of the event by a qualified volunteer with aviation experience,” he said.