Aviation Emcee Run-up

Known for his great personality, aviation knowledge and lively delivery, Roy Hafeli is the first person your air show must hire. Roy Hafeli is one of the most popular air show announcers in Canada. His voice has thrilled air show audiences since 1987 at shows that include:

  • Abbotsford International Airshow
  • Air Show Ottawa
  • Lethbridge ATB Financial International Airshow
  • Rocky Mountain House Airshow
  • Boundary Bay Airshow
  • Fort St. John Airshow
  • Terrace Airshow
  • Chilliwack Flight Fest
  • Comox Armed Forces Day Airshow
  • Langley Airshow
  • Qualicum Airshow
  • B.C. Aviation Council Airshow - Harrison Hot Springs
  • Thunder 2000 Airshow -Castlegar
  • Canada Place Inner Harbour Airshow
  • Pemberton Airshow
  • Pitt Meadows Airshow
  • Merritt Airshow
 

Other Events

  • Pacific National Exhibition
  • Abbotsford Agrifair
  • RCMP Musical Ride
  • Canada Day at Canada Place
  • Motorsports at B.C. Place
  • B.C. Summer Games opening and closing ceremonies
  • B.C. Cattle Penning Association competitions
  • Western Canada Summer Games

Pilot & Aerobatic Training

Roy Hafeli

Even as a child Roy Hafeli has had a love of aviation. The ceiling in his room was covered with models (some of which still hang in his office today). He flew his first solo flight at 16 and had to wait until his 17th birthday for his license and then received his float endorsement. Roy worked at a charter float plane company and as an aircraft painter at Conair Aviation. He's flown everything from a Pober Pixie to Cessna 150, 172 plus float equipped 185 and 206 and his favourite, the classic DHC-2 Beaver on floats. His aerobatic training was done in a beautiful Harvard Mk. IV.

Roy Hafeli

Media Experience

 

Showmanship & Spirit of Flight

Roy Hafeli is the recipient of:

 

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Performer References

“To Air Shows and Air Show Fans:
I just love working with Roy Hafeli. His great personality and sense of humor make working with him so much fun. His velvet voice and aircraft knowledge make him a must at every Air Show!”

Julie Clark
American Aerobatics, Inc.

It has been my pleasure to know Roy Hafeli over the past eight years and to have performed in a number of airshows at which he was the show announcer. As well, I have been instrumental in hiring his services over the years for the annual Langley Canada Day Celebrations. This drew approximately an attendance of 60,000. He is undoubtedly one of a few that I consider “the best” in the business of announcing at special events.

Roy is a very legitimate event draw in his own right. His voice and microphone style present a personality that projects. He is also always prepared with research and profile material that adds immeasurably to his effectiveness. Furthermore, he is a team player who volunteers assistance to an event that extends well beyond any contracted commitment.

I strongly recommend Roy be afforded an opportunity to “perform” through announcing at your event. You will not be disappointed.

George Miller
Airport Manager
Avcon Consulting Ltd.
Contractor to Township of Langley 

 

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Roy and Bill

Care and Feeding of your Announcer

(and Air Boss, Sound Guy, etc)

It's the first meeting of your air show board, Everyone is excited about putting on a great event, Who should we hire first ? That father and son duo? The guy in the blue Pitts Special? A bunch of Warbirds? There are two people your air show should hire first and foremost. Your air boss and the announcer.

Hiring a professional air show announcer goes a long way in making your show a success. Sure, everyone in your town knows the local radio DJ, but does he know the difference between an avalanche loop and a hammerhead? And what if there's an emergency? If your board or the radio station insists that the DJ be at the show let the announcer use him or her for local flavour. The DJ knows the sponsors and the local area and can be a good asset to the event.

You already know what you expect from your announcer and air boss but what do they expect from you?

 

Sound:

This is not a time to try and save money. Sound systems are expensive and there's a reason for it. Make sure your sound provider is capable of the job. Just because they're experts at providing booming audio at a rock concert doesn't mean they can handle an air show. Remind them that the stage can be hundreds of feet long. Bigger speakers doesn't mean better. A group of smaller speakers situated every few feet and mounted ten or more feet off the ground will send clear sound throughout the crowd without blasting the folks in the front rows. Other than a monitor there should be no speakers on the announce stand. The sound guy must be set up right by the announcer. These two are a team and must be able to communicate easily. Don't forget, your announcer is an important part of your emergency plan. If he can't be heard, he can't do his job. The system should be up and running at the latest by media/practice day.

Emergencies:

Speaking of emergencies, make sure your announcer is introduced to the emergency contact person. This person will be the only one, other than the air boss, that can order the announcer to give out specific emergency information to your audience. A good air show announcer will have an emergency plan in his binder and will be busy with crowd control. A single emergency contact person is imperative.

Stage Site:

Although announcing from the ground is perfectly acceptable, a low stage is preferred, especially if the weather is bad. Nobody likes to stand in the mud. Make sure the stage is large enough for the announcer, air boss, sound guy and all his equipment, Snowbirds and guests (Mayor, etc). A canopy mounted well back from the front of the stage is a great idea. They may need shade or a place to hide from the rain! The stage should be located at or near show centre and the entire show line MUST be visible. Have the stage fenced off from the crowd. A security person can be a good idea as well.

Water and Food:

Your stage crew is going to be standing out in the hot sun for hours at a time. Have a large cooler full of ice and bottled water there for them. And don't forget food. Your announcer will be talking during the entire show. Check the show schedule. Is there an act with their own narrator? That's probably the only time your announcer can eat so try to plan the meal times.

Washroom:

Be sure there's a porta-pottie located near the stage, and cordoned off from the public. And please have the door placed away from the crowd!

Sponsors and Announcements:

Your announcer is not psychic. Give him as much information about your sponsors as possible. Which ones get how many mentions? How are the names pronounced? Are there prepared scripts? Are there contests or draws7? Don't swamp your announcer with “headlights on” or other trivial announcements. He'll be busy enough talking about sponsors, sunscreen, not smoking and describing the acts in the air. And speaking of the acts, be sure he has all the performer information well before the show date.

Music License:

In Canada it's Socan. In the United States it's BMI©, ASCAP© and SESAC©. Your event MUST have a license for all the music used. This license must be displayed at the announce stand and a copy sent to your announcer BEFORE the event. Doing this can save you a lot of money and huge headaches.

Contact SOCAN at:
SOCAN.CA 1-866-944-6223
Section 5A Exhibition and Fairs

Air shows are complex events. By hiring an experienced announcer and air boss you've already gone a long way in making your show a success.