2025 MEDIA CREDENTIALS APPLICATION COMING SOON

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Planes of Fame Air Museum is proud to present the Central Coast AirFest.  We welcome press coverage of the annual AirFest at Santa Maria Airport, California! Before submitting your Credential request at the end of the page, please review our media definitions and rules below. Failure to follow the media guidelines could delay or deny your Credential request. 

Central Coast AirFest Media Credentials are subject to space availability and verification. Due to the volume of requests, Credentials are issued on a first come, first served, based on availability after timely verification. Any delays for further verification or incomplete request forms could result in Credential denial. Credential requests received after the 2025 DEADLINE are not guaranteed to be reviewed nor approved. Please submit any requests BEFORE the deadline to be considered. Credential Requests should not be considered approved until you receive an email from Planes of Fame stating so. Planes of Fame reserves the right to request additional information and approve or deny Credential requests at our discretion. 

 

Central Coast AirFest Media Definitions

 

Central Coast AirFest recognizes that the definition of media and press coverage at our AirFest has evolved over the years with the explosion of social media. Social media often plays a major role in reaching hundreds or thousands of people instantly in ways print/radio media can’t. As such, we have evolved our definitions of media to account of those whose coverage will greatly support Central Coast AirFest and our ongoing mission.

 

We have now defined media into four main categories:

• Video/Film Crews

• Radio/Podcast

• Print/Online Blog

• Social Media

 

Central Coast AirFest Media Credentials are for working media or representatives only. They will not be issued to members of family, friends, and those not directly covering the event. With limited space in the media pit and high volumes of requests, each type of media will be subject to the following definitions:

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• Video/Film Crews: Filming of our AirFest before or during the event and conducting interviews with pilots/crew/staff. Non-News media outlets will be subject to verification of organization and potential reach. Credentials are limited to 2 per organization. Network television outlets are exempt from this limit.

• Radio/Podcast: Audio recordings/coverage/broadcasts taken at our AirFest before or during the event and conducting interviews with pilots/crew/staff. Non-News media outlets will be subject to verification of organization and potential reach. Credentials are limited to 2 per organization. Network Radio outlets are exempt from this limit.

• Print/Blog/Digital Publication: Photographs taken at our AirFest before or during the event along with reporting coverage/story article to be printed or posted online during or after our AirFest. All photographers and reporters MUST be on assignment from the respective publication or website (with an assignment letter or intent to publish letter). Previous samples of published work online or in print are heavily encouraged. No assistants or other staff not directly reporting on the AirFest will be granted Credentials. Stock House/Resale photographers are not considered media and will not be approved. We do not automatically recognize all online websites/digital publications as working media and therefore are subject to verification of potential reach. Credentials are limited to 1 Photographer or 1 Reporter per organization. 

• Social Media: Photography and/or coverage taken at our AirFest before or during the event and posted online via Social Media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc). With so many people on social media, social media outlets and potential minimum audience reach/followers will be verified. Please be sure to include your social media links and current social media insight information to help with verification. Central Coast AirFest reserves the right to approve or deny Credential requests for any discretion in this category and approvals are subject to number of applications and audience reach. Since this is a newer category, verification will be strict. Credentials are limited to 1 Photographer per brand/account/outlet.

 

Freelance and amateur photographers are encouraged to support the AirFest and purchase admission tickets. For an even better and exclusive photography experience, we encourage you to look into our Sunrise Photo Tour Tickets! If your Credential request is denied for this year, we encourage you to still cover/publish your coverage of our airshow and submit your coverage at our next Airshow with your Credential request!

 

 

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Central Coast AirFest Media Pit & Access

 

Approved Central Coast AirFest Media Credentials allow those to utilize the special designated ‘Media Pit’ set up specifically for those Credentialed. Use of the Media Pit is purely optional and those with Credentials can cover the event from the Media Pit or anywhere allowed to the public. Access to the Media Pit, however, is ONLY for those with valid Media Credentials. Family members, friends, guests, and any others without approved Media Credentials will NOT be admitted into the Media Pit but may set up chairs directly next to it. Please note that due to Hot Ramp space requirements, at times aircraft may be parked near the line of sight of those in the Media Pit. Central Coast AirFest will attempt to keep as much of the area clear as possible.

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Media Credentials DO NOT allow access beyond the fence lines, onto the hot ramp or off limit areas during the AirFest or when these areas are closed before/after the event. Media Credentials do not include early access to the AirFest unless permission is attained beforehand. Media Credentials does not include access to our Sunrise Photo Tour. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in immediate revoking of Media Credentials and possible removal from the Airshow event. 

 

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