Few pictures from North Weald

DCK
Very pleased you enjoyed the event. Exactly the atmosphere that was aimed for. Would have preffered less barriers but thats the least we were allowed by H&S and some owners. An enjoyable day for all;)

I’ve only been to Flying Legends before. NW was my first event outside Duxford. The whole atmosphere at NW was different from DX. Nothing against DX at all, NW is just different.

I met and spoke many of the folks helping out at NW, and they were all extremely friendly and easy going. I was quite overwhelmed to tell you the truth. I never expected such reception at an active airfield.

With these kind of friendly people helping out, I believe that their “aura” and approach easily are transfered to the entire event. When you got that kind of base, the atmosphere will generate itself in positively fashion.

I’ve been to tiny airports in Norway where people acted so arrogant to “outsiders” that it was just not worth the visit. My father, a beginner civil pilot in the late 80’s, travelled an hour away from our home just to be in another club atmosphere than the local flying club, of which he despised.

I much prefer these events to airshows. Really miss the Delta jets open days when the pilots happily mingled amongst the crowd & the Tiger Squadron days with the OFMC. 🙁

That comment inspired me to post this on another forum, may as well post it here too.

I’m far from an expert on these things, but I wonder whether it would be in any way possible to combine this type of photo shoot/access all areas event with an air display (not at North Weald, for well documented reasons)?

However, say for the purposes of my question that circumstances were different and it would be held at North Weald – would it be feasible to have aircraft parked on the Weald Aviation apron as they were on Sunday, very few barriers, with the same taxi-way system in use, but with a crowd line set up nearer the runway? I guess the idea would be that you can watch the aircraft being prepared, refuelled and started up at close quarters without any barriers, have them taxi past just a few feet away, then wander up to the crowdline to watch them take-off and display, using a standard display line? Not necessarily a full scale airshow, but perhaps a dozen or so acts spread throughout the day. The aircraft then land, taxi back and shut down amongst the spectators.

I think a similar thing happens with the Great Vintage Flying Weekend, but I may be wrong.

Thanks.

It was certainly a “people-event”. Very openly and friendly. Could get very close to the aircrafts as well, and people behaved very well too from what I could see.

Must say I took those pictures of the boy and Mr. Spink with mixed feelings! Jealousy and all of that! 😀

Some nice shots there, certainly captured the atmosphere of the day for me.

Some beautiful looking aircraft there

I much prefer these events to airshows. Really miss the Delta jets open days when the pilots happily mingled amongst the crowd & the Tiger Squadron days with the OFMC. 🙁

Thanks.

It was certainly a “people-event”. Very openly and friendly. Could get very close to the aircrafts as well, and people behaved very well too from what I could see.

Must say I took those pictures of the boy and Mr. Spink with mixed feelings! Jealousy and all of that! 😀

Nice shots.

I really like this set – they capture the atmosphere of the event perfectly. Shots like the Seafire wing being moved, the smokey Catalina crowd and Cliff Spink showing the child over the Buchon are wonderful. I’m a big fan of photos like that, showing the human element in addition to the aircraft.

You can even just about see my arm sticking out behind someone in the ‘Janie’ taxi shot, which makes this set just about perfect. 😀

The wet Seafire guns are brilliant, too! 😎