Inflation and its effect

To paraphrase Bob Dylan ‘The times….they are a ‘changin’…”

As one of the older (in years) members who pops into this forum now and again, I was once resident in the thick of things in East Anglia. Local airfields, or those that were within easy reach by car included Coltishall, Honington, the ‘ Heath, the ‘Hall, and still within comfortable reach with a reasonably early start were Wattisham, Alconbury, and Duxford. My work involved working every other week-end so family commitments precluded me from volunteer work at Duxford, but regular trips there with the family were the norm to keep abreast of events.

My son and I were the ‘spotters’ and other trips, usually during a mid-week day- off,to a particular base when exercises were on were eagerly awaited , thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding with a great variety of military aircraft of many nationalities. I am now rather sad to have witnessed the decline in the types of aircraft from these busier times, and to see those types that passed us on the peri-tracks as we photographed from the crash gates, now in museums , really hammers home the passing of time, but it is gratifying that so much effort is put into preserving these aircraft and even more that so many are still being maintained as airworthy and are regularly flown at airshows.

It is sadly inevitable that rising costs of all aspects of such activities will affect all of us, one way or another : fuel costs must have a direct effect on such operations, insurance and safety considerations must also impinge, and I think very often that I may have seen airshows at their best. The important aspect of terrorism was almost unknown (was there ever any other threat then than the I.R.A?) when I was most active in enjoying the airshows and airfield visits, and at that time, believe it or not, on the days running up to a Mildenhall Air Fete in the early seventies, there might have been a score of other fellow-enthusiasts watching arrivals. Latterly the hundreds of cars on arrivals days ( not talking about the show days remember,) made parking, traffic handling and just finding a viewing area a nightmare with police and traffic wardens all over the place moving you on.

It is true to that the general enthusiasm for such aircraft has blossomed over the years, and although I’m beginning to sound like an old ‘un, the interest some twenty to thirty years ago was minimal to that of today, with the advances in digital photography, air band radios and scanners,and proliferation of specialist magazines. We do live in good times, but I think we had some of the best of better times, and my prognosis has to be rather gloomy for the future, unless circumstances, often worldwide, over which we seem to have no control, such as oil prices, poverty, continuing conflict and terrorism continue to affect us all, directly or indirectly, and are addressed successfully , we may see a massive downturn in airshow participation, and leave an impoverished legacy for the new generation of enthusiasts.:(
Brian

What a good question.

If the financial pundits on radio and TV are anything to go by – and I suspect they are probably right – most of us will suffer in one way or another and we might have to get used to the world – and our lifestyle – never being the same again.

I, for one, now think twice about making a journey in my car. Is it essential? – in many cases no and as much as I would like to travel from Wiltshire to the likes of Waddington or Duxford, I’m now prepared to settle for local airfields like Kemble , Yeovilton and Fairford. I suspect day trippers to the likes of Dawlish and other seaside airshows might think twice too. I’ve no doubt Bournemouth will be a success but I bet they feel the impact next year.

As for aircraft operators, I think we should make the most of this year – the 90th of the RAF at Fairford on the Friday probably being a highlight for some time to come. Warbird owners will doubtless have their own views but I suspect some might suffer.

Maybe more appropriate for the commercial section of Key, but the global economy will also impact low cost no frills airlines and I already detect a price creep upwards. Sorry to be all doom and gloom but I fear all aspects of aviation will be hit very badly.

Fuel prices push up the cost of airshow participation – not just aircraft but the price of those hideous burgers and a pint. Add to this the cost of airshow and family insurance, utilities, mortgages etc………………………………sorry I’d love to be more positive but just being pragmatic!

Oh for the good old days of diamond nine Lightnings when fuel was 20p a litre!

Regards

Most airshow’s (and associated events) will continue as long as they make a profit for the organisers. Some may be able to continue to hold/fund such events even when there might be a small loss when all the sums are added up. At some point, howwever, increased entry fees (and the increased price of a Magna Burger – or whatever) will deter attendance to a level at which putting on any event becomes a financial “No Go” area.
Airshows are only VITAL for the committed enthusiasts – and there are not a significant number of those (on a national scale). In short, airshows are not vital to the national economy. And even those hardy souls who now attend may be subsequently dissuaded by the spiralling costs of travel, entry, and associated expenditure.
Airshows will continue provided there are those willing to put them on, and provided that the attendees have sufficient disposable income to ensure those who put the shows on at least make a small profit. It will be (if it is not already in that class) a luxury item. No profit, no show – end of story.
HTH
Resmoroh