The idea has been mentioned before but I don't know if anyone has actually done it - how about making a crowd of people to line a runway, as seen at any decent airshow?  A few generic lines of spectators, say 20-30 in a bunch with some repaints for variety, would add tremendously to the look and feel of anyone doing a bit of display flying.  They could even be 2-D cardboard cutouts and it would still look good!

Gryshnak