First if all, I’d like to state how fantastic the show was the other evening and congratulate the huge effort made to create a display like this. My complaint is simply a suggestion that I think would improve things for the spectator.
It has to do with the line of general aviation aircraft parked between the specators and the runway. While I certainly understand and appreciate the allowing of these aircraft to fly in(I have enjoyed flying into airshows in the past), I do think that there must be other locations to place these aircraft out of the way as they do block the view of some of the air display, especially, the new low flying circus act, along with portions of takeoffs and landings. As well, the show was stopped for 20 minutes to allow the pilots to walk over get ready and depart which may not be a problem during a day show but when the very last act was cancelled(Bristol Boxkite), the announcer initially said it was because of the darkness although he quickly changed it due to being the light breeze(not sure which reason was the real reason).
I think it could possibly work out better if the planes were at a further away location at the far end of the airfield with pilots started and ready to all takeoff in a five minute window, intead of risking further show acts due to time taken for their departure. For example, there was not enough time for a glider act which could have used the extra 15 minutes that could have been made available.
Aside from that, what a great display.
By: buzzbeurling - 23rd May 2018 at 01:05
Thanks for the comments.
I’m sure with the very long distance from the spectator area to the threshold of the long runway, somewhere could be easily found for these aircraft in order to be able to still have them close but completely clear from the view of the airshow. As you said, the Edwardians may on occasion be at the far right but as I have suggested subsequent to the first post, the GA aircraft could be partially to the right so that those interesting aircraft and pilots could still be close to the crowd.
That way, perhaps all people would “be fine” with the arrangements intead of a very few, which of course is always the goal. As we have seen from another poster, I am not the only one that was disappointed which means that there are plenty more out there who, while were no doubt interested in the GA aircraft, probably will never see another Edwardian anywhere on the takeoff roll and can see these GA aircraft and their “interesting pilots’ at just about any airport on any day of the week.
I’m sure that all can be accomodated by simply moving the GA aircraft out of the way and getting them out of there efficiently after being so graciously accommodated. A couple of replies here sound like the very tall thinking the “present arrangements are fine” when they are blocking the view for everyone behind them.
By: Consul - 22nd May 2018 at 23:50
As “backdrop” means behind or beyond, my point was that the areas behind the runway and the display line are not compromised.
I have been attending OW since the 1960s. For many years visiting aircraft were parked on the far side of the runway. No matter whether those aircraft were interesting types or not, they were always in view behind the displays and sometimes spoilt the background to photographs of the display aircraft landing or taking off.
I think the present arrangements are fine. In certain conditions the WWI and Edwardian aircraft are (during the flying display itself) parked at the far right, to reduce their distance to the runway leading up to their slot; that would not be feasible if visiting aircraft were parked in that area.
By: buzzbeurling - 22nd May 2018 at 22:15
Completely understand the last three responses(with the exception of the backdrop not being compromised, because it iscompromised). We all like these “interesting machines” and “well-known pilots” and would never consider stopping this. That is why I am suggesting ways to improve viewing and lessening delays, cancellations, missed “golden sun” photo opportunities and blocked viewing of the flight displays(especially the low level circus and takeoffs/rollouts of incredibly rare aircraft by modern GA aircraft), etc for which some people have come a long distance to see. I think it would be quite simple by moving these aircraft further along to the right, yet still easily accessible and within view of the spectators and they could taxi down to the far end of the runway at the same time as a display aircraft allowing a very brief departure window which could result in one or more of the airshow displays not being cancelled.
That way, we are all satisfied with the vast majority seeing all of the show and a few itinerant pilots still getting the highlight of their life.
So simple.
By: Seafuryfan - 22nd May 2018 at 21:27
A point or two if I may having had the privilege of being on the other side of the fence. A year or two ago I enjoyed a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly to an Old Warden show and it was a highlight of my life – thank you Tim. I like to think that many other passengers over the years have shared my enthusiasm and and have similar memories. I understand also that some airborne attendees are integral to the show and must return home under VFR conditions, hence the early departure slot. Finally, I agree that the variety of GA attendees with their tightly streamed take off slots adds to the flavour of the show.
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd May 2018 at 21:10
I am with you Consul………!!
By: Consul - 22nd May 2018 at 20:43
Buzzbeurling
Having the visiting aircraft lined adjacent to the fence, to the right of the display aircraft, is for me part of the charm of Shuttleworth. There are often interesting machines and well known pilots visiting and their proximity adds to the spectacle without compromising the backdrop to the action.
By: GliderSpit - 22nd May 2018 at 19:52
For me it was one of the best airshows that I’ve ever been to. My seventh show at Old Warden. It was the first time that I saw the Edwardians, AR501 and the Comet airborne. Some very nice pairs of aircraft displayed very well. I’ll be back the 1st of July.
By: buzzbeurling - 22nd May 2018 at 19:27
Hopefully, they read these forums…..
https://www.air-shows.org.uk/2018/05/review-shuttleworth-collection-may-evening-airshow/
By: LN Strike Eagle - 22nd May 2018 at 19:14
I’d start them at 5pm personally – as one of the many photographers in the crowd, I found the 15 minute hiatus to allow three GA types depart in golden sunshine rather frustrating, especially when the WW1s, Comet and Eds that followed were in such rapidly fading light. I could have happily lost the gliders and Pitts Special from the show too.
By: warhawk69 - 22nd May 2018 at 17:35
And yet it’s annoying at Duxford that everything gets put on the far side as they have some very interesting visitors that you can only see at a distance!
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May 22, 2018 at 5:03 pm