British Airshows – Change & Originality

…and a further post of mine from later in that thread, elaborating on a few points.

Just to clarify, I’m not suggesting that change is needed at British airshows; recent crowd figures have certainly shown the popularity of such events in the UK. There is no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ as such, but there’s still scope for originality without compromising the attributes that make airshows popular to the general public.

Take Stephen White’s Duxford 2001 airshow. His idea was simple – to present many of the vintage aircraft in set pieces, routines and formations reflecting the way in which they were flown in their historical context. He tied it all together by presenting the theme of the airshow – Air Assault – by charting the history of one particular squadron, using the aircraft flown by said squadron to show the development of ‘Air Assault’ from World War One through to the present day. This also allowed him to tie in a couple of sub-themes, such as a Hawker tribute.

The line-up itself was excellent, yes, but other than the Apaches, there was nothing that hadn’t been seen at Duxford, or elsewhere, before. But it was the way in which the theme(s) of the show were sold to the crowd by the programme, the commentary and the story being told in the air that made it a ‘special’ show, which lives long in the memory. To give a couple of examples, the Hawker tribute saw the Shuttleworth Collection’s Hawker Cygnet flying past the crowd as the ‘prototype’ Hunter roared past, further and higher from the crowd, showing barely 30 years of aviation development in one pass. Then you had the sequence showing the development of fighter tactics, from the aerial combat of WWI to the box-four of Hurricanes (complete with the ‘weaver’) before transitioning to a finger-four arrival and tailchase of four Spitfires. All the while, the commentators put over the ideas – both thematically and contextually – that Stephen had striven to portray. Later in the day, we had a Dakota parachute drop, a 2x Apache & Harrier formation set to ‘Carmina Burana’ and a host of other aircraft, almost all of which fit neatly into the ‘Air Assault’ theme. They even had the Red Arrows flying before the show.

They took what could have been a standard show of solos and the odd formation and turned it into something bigger. An event that told a story – that educated, rather than entertained. Isn’t that something worthwhile for the younger generations? Without being preachy or patronising, they told the story of the development of one particular area of aviation history.

My point is that it is possible to present aircraft in unique and interesting ways without dilluting the content and removing the crowd pleasing acts. Not just so the enthusiasts can see some unusual formations, but to turn a standard airshow into something that will stand out for years to come, that may even inspire people.

It could be argued that families and general visitors would “stay away in their droves”, should an organiser be bold enough to mix things up a little and move away somewhat from the traditional crowd pleasing acts. There are plenty of smaller shows that draw good sized crowds without even having the traditional crowd pleasers. Take Little Gransden and Sywell – two airshows that present primarily vintage aircraft that would be of little interest to non-enthusiasts, yet they always get strong attendance figures. Little Gransden broke records last year with the amount of money raised for charity, so they must be doing something right.

I’m not even saying that organisers shouldn’t book the popular display acts; like I say, why reinvent the wheel? But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something a little different with the other aircraft you have. Biggin Hill, for example, portrayed a Battle of Britain dogfight with the Buchon and Spitfire TIX, utilising air raid siren sound effects to turn a standard Buchon solo into an ‘airfield attack’. It was essentially an ordinary tailchase, but by presenting it as a dogfight set-piece, it adds a little originality to the proceedings. East Kirkby did something similar earlier this month that looked, from the YouTube clips I’ve seen, like it worked a treat. You also have Carolyn Grace’s Spitfire solo and Nigel Lamb’s MH434 displays, the bookends of the show, both flying to music and thus coming across as “more” than just a Spitfire display. The music added that emotional edge to it, in my opinion, and showed how effectively musical accompaniment can be.

As for ground acts, there is scope for development here. The re-enactor encampment at Shoreham is a good example of how effective such ground attractions can be at adding a bit of historical context for the general public, whilst allowing for some evocative photographs featuring period-dressed airmen and the like. It sets the scene and gives that particular area of the aircraft part a unique atmosphere. Looking at some of the ways Goodwood create that atmosphere all over their showground made me realise how simple it would be to do so at a mainstream airshow, with a bit of innovation. I’m not suggesting that all airshows should go for something completely different – not by any means – but if one or two venues decided to create an air and ground experience like no other, I’m sure it’d be popular with general public and enthusiast alike.

To elaborate a bit on exactly what I mean by that, one idea for next year (being the Battle of Britain 70th) could be to create a period Spitfire & Hurricane dispersal, complete with re-enactors, AA guns, searchlights, period vehicles, perhaps mock briefings – like what is seen at places like Shoreham and Goodwood, but on a larger scale. I could imagine it at somewhere like Biggin Hill or Duxford. Then, in the evening, have floodlights (positioned along the crowdline) illuminating the aircraft in the darkness as searchlight scour the skies for enemy aircraft. Throw in some music, pyrotechnics etc and you’ve got a totally unique experience. Sure, many people would run to the exit at the end, but other events – both in the UK and Europe – have proven that there are plenty of people who’d happily stay after the show; particularly if you were the market the day as more than just an airshow. Have a hangar dance in the evening, or live music. Maybe some lectures from veterans (could take place before the show) or pilots in the hangars. If some of the stalls and the food vendors remained open and there was plenty to see and do (maybe even a brief evening display, a la Goodwood 2009), I’m sure enough people would stay to make it worthwhile.

Omaka in New Zealand springs immediately to mind when thinking along this route, as they combine ground battles with aerial set-pieces. To quote from their website:

Classic Fighters is designed to be more than an airshow, our philosophy being to provide visitors with two full days of family entertainment in an event that is distinctly different and with a unique Marlborough flavour. Certainly the aviation theme will dominate, but the flying is combined with ground theatre, vehicles and set pieces to create a spectacle that all will enjoy.

Imagine Fokker Triplanes mixing it up in the sky with SE5as and Sopwiths, while troops fire original Krupps canons and attack from behind a WW1 tank, all amid the smoke and fire of pyrotechnics – and that is just WW1!

A range of exciting antique and classic open cockpit biplanes and vintage cabin airlines of the 1920s and 30s will represent ‘the Golden Age’ between the wars. Names like de Havilland, Percival, Ryan, TravelAir, Beechcraft Fleet and Stearman will be on display.

The warbirds of the Second World War always guarantee the colour, noise and spectacle that make a show a success. 2009 will see the iconic Spitfire, Mustang and Kittyhawk all represented, along with the PBY Catalina, DC3, Harvards, a taxiable Stuka replica and several ‘mystery’ types from overseas, participating in the exciting scenarios.

Formation aerobatics is always a real crowd pleaser. As well as the many privately owned aircraft from around the country, we can also expect the presence of the Air Force to inject some further ‘heavy metal’.

Back from the display line, visitors can take a break from the action and seek out a bargain in the trade stalls or be tempted with a glass of Marlborough wine and sample the delicious food on offer, while the kids explore the playground attractions.

Throughout the show there is a strong sense of fun and humour. To that end, each show is themed to not only give direction and meaning to the air show scenarios, but also to include the public and connect with them across a broader range of interests. Past Classic Fighters have included a North African theme (complete with a pyramid and belly dancers!); ‘France’ with its Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, onion sellers and berets; and also an ‘Aviation and the Movies’ theme, which opened the field wide for famous film scene recreations.

2009 is set for an Italian invasion. Glamorous sports cars will be on display and local providers will serve Italian inspired food. There will be lunchtime entertainment and the whole airfield will have the colour and vibrancy that comes with getting into the spirit of the event.

That is exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about. Families love it, enthusiasts can enjoy aircraft shown off in a different context and it provides a real experience; like being taken back in time, to throw in an old cliché.

Just because airshows are doing well financially, doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of scope to develop certain areas – which, ultimately, would cater specifically to families and people looking for a full day of entertainment.

There is a lot here which is repetitive. Firstly does the wheel need to be reinvented? If air shows are “doing well” then doing more will probably cost more, anyway.

It also depends what the visitor wants. Speaking personally I want to see as many varied aircraft as possible, being brilliantly and excitingly flown, to illustrate the best of the aircraft and to evoke nostalgic memories of the past, where the oldies are concerned.

I think some commentators need to be better informed and better prepared. And once the show is in flow gaps between displays are definitely crowd-stoppers, but in the wrong way.

More stands and at lower prices would enhance the enjoyment, especially for the visitor whose prime interest is the aircraft. Some static displays are poorly set out without enough thought for optimum viewing.

But at the end of it my guess is that a considerably re-worked show with all the added attractions you propose would not attract many more visitors and certainly not if the price was to be increased as well.

As has been said, many of the shows seem to be doing pretty well so there can’t be much need to change them in any way. I think the main concern is for the modern military-oreintated events like RIAT, Waddington, Leuchars and Yeovilton (plus others like Biggin to some extent) which tend to attract a different sort of spectator in addition to the usual families looking for a decent day out.

We all know the problems with costs, logistics, the minor problems like wars to fight and so on. But as I’ve said many times, there must be ways in which military might can still be shown to the public – the people who finance it all. The problem seems to be that the show organisers seem stuck in a mentality which goes back through the glorious years of BofB At Home Days and through the later years when military aircraft were readily available for public appearances. Even though the supply of aircraft has dried-up, they press-on regardless.

Those days are clearly gone but you’d be hard pressed to get anyone from RIAT (for example) to admit it. Clearly, the big military shows ought to be completely re-thought if they are to continue at all. What is the alternative? Do we keep shelling-out upwards of thirty quid at RIAT to see what was once a two mile-long line of Hercules, Phantoms or Hunters become half a dozen F-16’s herded into a corner? Doesn’t make sense to me, but while the punters keep paying, I don’t imagine the show organisers will see any reason to make any changes. Problem is that the punters will stop paying – a substantial number already have.

My belief is that the show concept needs to be turned on its head. Instead of creating a show for the public, I think the aim should be to enable the public to come to the show, in effect. By this, I mean that military flying, exercises, deployments and so on will inevitably take place, therefore it seems logical that some means of enabling the public to see these activities at close range would create an exciting event. There seems to be some sort of mythical belief that without a Tornado performing a full aerobatics routine, there would be nothing to see but it just isn’t true. Aircraft taking-off, landing, performing a fly by or whatever is just as interesting, indeed more interesting than being fobbed-off by wing walkers or gliders or anything else which generally only provide an opportunity to head for the beer tent or the loo!

I can hear the conservative voices groaning about the problems with safety, logistics, weekend ops, planning and so on but I don’t think there is any plausible reason why routine (or semi-routine) military flying could not occasionally be planned to operate in and out of one base for a couple of days, and the public be invited to come and take a look (and maybe add all the usual show performers when and where possible). I think that would be the key to providing the basis of a show which entertained and informed, and didn’t actually cost an awful lot.

I personally feel the non military show scene, with a few exceptions has become very samey. Epically the seaside shows that we could all probably name the acts that are likely to appear off the top of out heads. One thing is what is the purpose of the airshow? Is it just a money making exercise, a military recruiting exercise or a show run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts? Who is the target audience? I guess 90% of a airshow audience just want a day out with lots of noise? So many questions..
But here is what I would change.
1. Aircraft-after all that’s what we go to see. Lets be a bit more imaginative. There are two things I would love to see at a show, first a fast jet scramble be it private Hunters of RAF Typhoons. Also a large static line paradrop be it C-47’s or C-130’s. Also Europe is full of some excellent rare aircraft that never come closer than Jersey. Lets get the Swedish Historic flight, Noratlas, Flamant, Red Bull etc into the UK.
2. Organization- This varies so wildly. You need traffic marshals at the end of the day too and a rethink of many car park designs. Plus the usual gripes about more toilets and windbreaks/tents on the crowd line.
3. Catering- not really the shows fault more of a sad reflection of Britain that there are almost no healthy options available. Just how many burger vans do we need?
4. Price- for me RIAT has priced it’s way out of my market. The aircraft participation has shrunk and the price continues to climb. I think £20 is a reasonable price for a big show. I think Yeovilton got this, and so much more right, despite the weather.
5 RAF shows- I know they may not have much to show off soon but to so miss the ‘at home’/BofB shows. It would be so nice to see some small regional RAF shows. They seem to come up with some good families days so why not have families day on Friday and a public day on Saturday?
right rant over.

This is certainly a thought provoking thread and will have much more discussion after my post, I’m sure!

There’s a regular poster on here – Chox, who was also trying to get airshows moving in a more interesting way if I remember correctly. Hope he puts in an appearance.

I do agree with you Elliot, that having a change from the usual format to ‘theatre of the air’ could be a very ‘good thing’. It does need a bit of thought and risk-taking so the organisers do have to be bold and try ideas out. Those themed displays you described sound absolutely great, having never been to any. The European airshows geared up for a whole day out is one way of improving things for the visitor. I leave it to others to express their ideas about how the themes are constructed.

Turning now to the visitor, the overwhelming number of visitor parties at my local airshow are families on a day out. Some members of the family are aviation nuts, others go round the market and funfair. Although prices for food and drink are tightly controlled with upper limits, it is still an expensive day for a family so by giving a few ‘freebies’ (drinking water and disposable cups comes to mind) the ‘experience’ is enhanced. Yes, there is a cost but in the overall scheme of things it isn’t much. If facilities are open until well in the evening (hangar dance) it again gives an impression of a good day out, well worth the money. The organisers need to be family friendly really, because it is they who need to be attracted but without forgetting the aviation nut who is catered for by ‘theatre of the air’ and other themes. In short, the wider the appeal, the more people will come. Oh, and the ‘honey cart’ needs to be doing the business more often!

Stallholders and funfair operators may be happy to carry on until there are no more customers and therefore might be agreeable to a slightly higher rent (a lot of customers will disappear at the end of the show). If a family goes home happy with a feeling that they haven’t had every possible penny squeezed, the likelihood is that they’ll come next time, maybe with another party of friends.
To address some of your specifics: Ground attractions, get anything that’ll fly or has anything to do with flying with someone to talk about what they bring. If there’s a day when not everything that is programmed flies you need something else for the visitor to see, make it interesting with variety.
Commentary, needs to be someone who ‘knows his stuff’ but doesn’t babble on over the beautiful noise that aircraft make. There was a sizeable thread on here about one such individual last year.
Music, it always seems to be aviation film music at my local show (another case of same old…, and it’s on a loop!) but whatever is played – it needs to be off when the aircraft are likely to be heard. My view is that there’s a time and place for everything but music (muzak?) seems to be everywhere and at all times!

Sky High’s comment: “a considerably re-worked show with all the added attractions you propose would not attract many more visitors and certainly not if the price was to be increased as well” is true for the ones that ‘sold out’ like Cosford last year. There’s a case for whole weekend airshow to spread the visitor load over two days.

Hope that’s useful, regards, Aerial

Hi Chox, I was a bit slow typing!

A “Theatre of the Air” like any form of theatre would depend on the cast actually showing up.

The serviceability record, or perhaps more accurately the attendance record, of booked aircraft at British airshows had reached an unacceptably dire state of late. Let’s start with a full cast first, then maybe we can think about getting a performance out of them when we’ve managed that.

I always thought the twilight display at Old Warden, with a picnic and jazz atmosphere, was a stunning idea. I might add that I live in Australia and have never seen it!

I have always found the commentators at airshows here in the colonies to be truly awful. Unknowledgable (not their fault, of course), not knowing when to shut the hell up (ie: when 7 Mustangs are making a low, fast pass) and the greatest fault of all: playing music over the PA while flying displays are on.

Avalon Airshow, a bi-yearly effort here in Melbourne, has in the last 4 years shown the utmost contempt for the paying spectator. Myself and a friend, both 30-year veterans of dedicated aviation-worshipping, have agreed that we won’t be attending Avalon again.

The second-last show, 4 years ago, saw fit to repeat the flying display on both days: ie, if you missed Saturday, you could see the exact same thing on Sunday.

The last show (which we did not attend) repeated the morning display in the afternoon for both days…..so if you saw the flying on Saturday morning, then you had effectively seen the entire show. And don’t get me started on the entry prices, the cost of deep-fried food and the over-zealous security guards…

Now, Avalon started out as a trade show. Then it was opened to the public. Then it was marketed as an airshow. As I said to my friend at the time, they have to make up their minds what it is: trade or public display. I personally think it has run its course, purely on what I see as indifference to the enthusiasts they claim to cater for, and old time greed.

I think it’s difficult to come up with a universal “fix” (if that’s what people agree is needed) for UK airshows across the board. So much will depend on the physical layout of the airfield, and/or the resources of the display authorities (display fees at their disposal, revenue from commercial outlets and human resources such as stewards & other volunteers etc.). With a big area like Biggin, maybe it would be possible to extend the parade “circuit” for military vehicles in a loop behind the flight-line, rather than straight up-and-down along it, thus enabling the public to see more of the action (rather than just those encamped along the front). This would depend on effective cordoning/marshalling and crowd control, with one or two manned pedestrian crossings at key points. I think mixing historic ground vehicles and aircraft does work well (eg at Shuttleworth and Biggin). Also, more “enclosures” amongst the public area for re-enactors, which would encourage members of the public to talk to those putting on the exhibit – rather than peer at them over the crowd-line barrier. This is something done well at the War and Peace Show at Paddock Wood. More aircraft on static display parked within the public area, so you can walk-round them, talk to the pilots (rather than take your pictures from just one angle, or pay £15 for the “added privilege” of getting close to what you’ve already paid to see…
…More themed displays, certainly. With more 1930’s “silver winged” biplanes coming onto the scene, I would love to see a recreated Hendon-type display (Shuttleworth, are you listening?) – but not just aircraft; vehicles, clothes/fashion, cookery, music of the period. You could do the same for the 40’s, the 50’s, any decade you like. maybe that would be something for the whole family?

Interesting to read everyone’s different requirements for a great airshow. In the end though, the organisers give something affordable to attract as many folks as possible, hence to some extent the lowest common denomenator prevails. (there were never funfairs at displays when I was a lad)!

What has always intrigued me is the gulf between pilots and spotters / enthusiasts. Perhaps it is a British trait left over from a previous age but there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of mixing ‘across the crowd-line’ so to speak.

The idea which someone put forward and which I think is splendid is people staying on for an evening barbeque and a chance for every person to get together in aviation. Could this happen in Britain? Does it happen elsewhere in the world?

I would be interested to hear whether other people think that there is a divide between flyers and enthusiasts? And if so why?

Airshow Displays

There seems to be some sort of mythical belief that without a Tornado performing a full aerobatics routine, there would be nothing to see but it just isn’t true. Aircraft taking-off, landing, performing a fly by or whatever is just as interesting, indeed more interesting than being fobbed-off by wing walkers or gliders.

I for one am getting fed up with seeing a fast jet doing a high speed run down the display line followed by a slow run and a couple of flick-rolls on the return.

I would like to see more displays on the lines of Major “Boy” Soons RNethAF in the Fokker Military F27 Friendship whom I saw at the last IAT at Greenham Common. The PA commentator said “He never takes off, He merely retracts the undercarriage”, as he flew the length of the runway at (in my estination) no more than 50 feet. On reaching 1 000 feet he feathered one engine and flew the rest of his display on one engine. Not an operational requirement perhaps, but extremely exciting to watch, and that is why I go to Airshows.

I don’t have much to contribute. However, I started to think about Flying Legends and the constant talking by the commentators. I have nothing against commentators at all, they’re fine IMO, but instead of talking when the Spitfire tailchase is on, it would make a much better nostalgic and emotional event if the right music was to be played over the speakers when they buzzed pas. Nothing like some good old 1940’s music and Spitfires roaring in the skies. That is, if you really need something on the speakers at all during such an event.

i’d be well up for staying on it would be cool to have a flighline area opened up with the aircraft light up in the twilight etc.. Eastbourne last year did an evening display on the Friday and by all accounts it was very sucessful.

Due to a dodgy leg I can’t walk huge distances so the only displays I attend are at Old Warden but in recent years there seems to have been more and more jobsworths appear there who seem intent on throwing their weight around and ruining peoples enjoyment.
During my last visit I wanted to take my other half to the Swiss Garden as she had never seen it and we had about 3 hours before the display started so I could get around the garden and back with a few stops along the way. Shortest route with a dodgy leg was to the entry gate behind the hangars but I was stopped by someone from SVAS who told me that I couldn’t walk down the road behind the hangars as it was being used as an access road for emergency vehicles and service vehicles and I might get run over.
For a start the chances of any vehicle wanting to use the road were minimal and secondly having been a motorcycle marshall, grass track mechanic, paddock / grid marshall for go karts as well as having done the odd bit of aircraft handling I am used to looking out for vehicles around me and I am quite capable of stepping aside if a vehicle comes along. I felt quite insulted that I was obviously being treated as if I had no commonsense whatsoever. I had no problem with a warning that the road may be in use occassionally so I should keep a lookout but to be physically prevented from walking down it just wasn’t acceptable bearing in mind the low risk of any problem. As a result I didn’t go back for the other two or three visits I would normally have made to Old Warden last year.
Airshow admission isn’t cheap now and it is up to the organiser to make the punter feel welcome and give them an enjoyable day without having it ruined or tainted for no good reason.
Old Warden has always been one of those places where spectators are quite happy to hang around after the show but it wasn’t so many years ago that the restaurant and the shop were evicting potential customers as soon as the show finished. I can also remember the catering manageress forcing the outside caterer to close because they weren’t allowed to remain open after the collection restaurant had closed even though there was a queue of people wanting drinks and / or burgers which the collection catering wasn’t prepared to sell to them. I know that the Old Warden staff want to get home but at the end of the day the bulk of their income must come from display days so surely that is when you need maximum effort to take as much money as possible.
Old Warden is a great place with a great atmosphere (when it is allowed to shine through). The atmosphere was built on having respect and consideration for those around you (remember the requests over the tannoy to close tailgates before the display started). It is a shame that sometimes the place is tainted by a lack of consideration for the very people who pay their money at the gate.
As far as display acts go I like to see a good mix. I am not mad about modern jets but still enjoy their displays and gliders and aerobatics (PItts, Extra etc) are great although we don’t seem to see too many indivdual displays from aircraft like the Pitts (or modern equivalent) that we saw in the 70’s and 80’s. I remember Richard Goode was spectacular before his accident and Brian Lecomber and Phillip Meeson amongst others were well worth watching. There was also Brendan O’Brien with the Skyhawks and the truck top landing – both great display acts. Many of the modern acts (with some exceptions) just don’t seem to be quite so exciting.

Ways to improve UK airshows…
#1: Ban French commentators..

I have been trying not to comment here but ive been down the Pub an had a few beers!!!
One of the recurring coments seem to be that things are not as exciting as they use to be in the 70’s and 80’s!!!! Maybe thats because we as organisers now have to work within the bounds of CAP403 and the dreaded Health and Safety:rolleyes:
Also the constaints of what we would like to do and what we can afford is also an issue.
I constantly hear on here people bleating that Airshows are to expensive or not value for money! you carnt have both!
As an organiser trying to balance a “Good Show” with a budget that is knowhere near enough is a constant battle.
Maybe here’s an idea, if the Airshows currently offered do not “Float your boat” then try organising one of your own. You may find it harder than you think;)

I have been trying not to comment here but ive been down the Pub an had a few beers!!!
One of the recurring coments seem to be that things are not as exciting as they use to be in the 70’s and 80’s!!!! Maybe thats because we as organisers now have to work within the bounds of CAP403 and the dreaded Health and Safety:rolleyes:
Also the constaints of what we would like to do and what we can afford is also an issue.
I constantly hear on here people bleating that Airshows are to expensive or not value for money! you carnt have both!
As an organiser trying to balance a “Good Show” with a budget that is knowhere near enough is a constant battle.
Maybe here’s an idea, if the Airshows currently offered do not “Float your boat” then try organising one of your own. You may find it harder than you think;)

Hey, just to throw it out there, I went to something like 25 events/airshows in 2009, had a great time at them all and have some wonderful memories. I’m not knocking the organisers and participants at all, and I have a great deal of respect for anyone who has the determination to make things happen in this day and age.

This thread was simply sparked (back in October last year, I think) by the many comments I’ve read in the past few years about British airshows being dull and boring – not sentiments I share, at all, but I thought it was a topic that could make an interesting area for discussion. Not so we could all bash airshows and the people who run them, simply so that we can share ideas on certain aspects we’d like to see developed and so on. I don’t think it’s offensive to those “in the business” to discuss such things…

Apologies if I’ve caused anyone offense, that certainly wasn’t my intent!

I did 6 Airshows last year(Biggin Hill, Flying Legends,Shoreham,Bournemouth,And the September and October Duxford shows) and all of them gave me great entertainment and all managed to do something different.

The British airshow scene is definitely not a boring one and what has been interesting last season was seeing shows booking something different or new , Acts such as the Viper team with their 4 Strikemasters, or the T-28 Fennec pair etc. I also feel that show organisers have got more inventive since the RAF has cut back on items available for shows, This can only be a good thing.

The things I would like to see changed are not too many really, But here goes

1) More variety and cheaper food options
2) Possible more mixed flypasts these are always show stealers, I would like to see things like Spitfire and Hunter, Mustang and Sabre or flypasts of manufacturers like a Hawker flypast showing from the Hind to the Hunter etc.
3) In some cases less commentary during certain acts would be great
4) Keep offering new acts or something different
5) More mixes of classic cars military vehicles with good photo opportunities
6) Possibly look at traffic issues at some shows

If its not broken don’t fix it, and for sure there are many things organisers do very very well and should be complemented for. We still have a great airshow scene here and lets hope its popularity will continue, Also remember its not just about the enthusiast we are a minority really its more about pleasing the families and the casual visitors because without them there will be no shows.

Ways to improve UK airshows…
#1: Ban French commentators..

😀

I did 6 Airshows last year(Biggin Hill, Flying Legends,Shoreham,Bournemouth,And the September and October Duxford shows) and all of them gave me great entertainment and all managed to do something different.

The British airshow scene is definitely not a boring one and what has been interesting last season was seeing shows booking something different or new , Acts such as the Viper team with their 4 Strikemasters, or the T-28 Fennec pair etc. I also feel that show organisers have got more inventive since the RAF has cut back on items available for shows, This can only be a good thing.

The things I would like to see changed are not too many really, But here goes

1) More variety and cheaper food options
2) Possible more mixed flypasts these are always show stealers, I would like to see things like Spitfire and Hunter, Mustang and Sabre or flypasts of manufacturers like a Hawker flypast showing from the Hind to the Hunter etc.
3) In some cases less commentary during certain acts would be great
4) Keep offering new acts or something different
5) More mixes of classic cars military vehicles with good photo opportunities
6) Possibly look at traffic issues at some shows

If its not broken don’t fix it, and for sure there are many things organisers do very very well and should be complemented for. We still have a great airshow scene here and lets hope its popularity will continue, Also remember its not just about the enthusiast we are a minority really its more about pleasing the families and the casual visitors because without them there will be no shows.

That last point is very important indeed and most of us here have probably overlooked it. If no enthusiasts went to airshows they would probably survive but if no members of the general public/families went they would probably die. It would not apply to all shows, Shuttleworth for example, where the visitor numbers are relatively small and the proportion of enthusiats relatively large.

—-

I’d like to see more shows like the “Air Atlantique” Baginton/Coventry one my Son & I went to in 2003

Although there was a fatality there (a ‘Spirit of St.Louis’ replica), the show organisers decided to continue, after a 45-50min’ break.

Consequently treated to a ‘tail-chase’ by TWO DC.6’s & an Electra L.188 (or whatever it’s designation is/was:D)

Very, very unique & for me = the highlight of the show, by far & that included the (then) “Red-Bull” Sea-Vixen losing a small panel in flight (before the ‘St.Louis’ incident).

The mixture of paying/flights at the end was another great option.
(Dakota/Twin-Pin/Prentice, etc)

I’ve been going to shows since the mid-seventies & used to (later) regularly attend the Stapleford shows, which then ‘morphed’ into the neighbouring North-Weald shows (which took on the name ‘Fighter-Meet’, until the national newspaper/sponsor “pulled the plug” & after Intrepid tried co-sponsoring, faded & sadly died).

That left a gaping-hole & Epping Forest District Council lost (by far) it’s most prestigeous event.
Even the initial “Sarfend” sea-side (mud-side) shows were varied & fun (USAF F.4’s & B.52’s !) until gradually they went the way of ALL modern airshows…. Tornado, Hawks & Utterly-Butterly/Crunchie/Whatever wing-walkers…
(viewing on the pier gave a different perspective, too).

After the shutdown of the USAF bases & loss of ALL those precious shows ~ Alconbury, Chicksands, Upper Heyford, Bentwaters, Wethersfield, Lakenheath & finally the annual “Air Fete” at Mildenhall ~ things NATURALLY fell flat.

I guess that’s why I enjoyed the “Air Atlantique” (2003 ?) show SO MUCH , but what with legislation & retirement of their Dakotas (which ironically, without which, there would be NO European Parliament at all:rolleyes:) the beauraucrats are killing the larger particpants that I find so appealing (no, I DON’T just want to view a never-ending stream of single engined yaks, etc).

Modern times & beaureaucrats have conspired to make things dull, so, for me I guess it’s (now) just the little shows that have “atmosphere” & ivariably, “single-engined-stuff 😮 (like Raydon & Orsett to which I used to go…) which’ll hold the most appeal, apart from (inevitably) Shuttleworth.

I’m still remienicing over Shackleton’s @ North Weald in ’91 :D:rolleyes:

A “multi-engine-fest” is (I guess) just a pipe dream, except for the Berlin ILA ?
(certainly here in the U.K. it seems ?)

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