Being in the Antipodes the pre-paid tickets are an advantage in knowing that you have a spot. Conversely there is the problem of rained out all days…… guess that’s the luck of the draw.

Hard to beat the originals……… as to those; “12 O’Clock High”. Those opening scenes still give me goosebumps with the grass waving then being flattened in the prop wash….

Thank you very much for your comments. I always take on board any comments, suggestions and, yes, criticism of what I do. I don’t get it right all of the time but if I get it a little better each time I think I’ve “played strong, done good”, to quote a famous Australian Rugby League coach.

Commentators are not there for the “enthusiasts”. Commentators are not there to entertain……… commentators are there to inform and to pass on information to the crowd whether that be information concerning the operation of the show or, God forbid, in the event of an emergency. With the exception of some of the major warbird events like Legends where the ratio of Joe Public to enthusiasts is possibly less than normal, Joe Public is the ‘target’ audience. It is impossible to please everyone at a public event. The balance point is information and silence. I have a 45 degree rule that I try desperately to adhere to. 45 degrees either side on aircraft approach and departure and completely when above is relegated to silence. Take-off and initial airfield departure is the same. I love the sound of a Merlin or big radial at full song as does everyone else and keep quiet when that is happening. When they are repositioning I talk about the aircraft. I do not rabbit on. Small pieces of data that Joe Public should/could find interesting is what I try to achieve despite the fact that I do about two months prep for each major show and have a bookfull of notes that I can draw on. I take on board criticism when it is constructive and actively seek comments on how I perform but I do object to ill informed comments about me or those that are simply totally incorrect as are some on this forum. Commentary is not about the commentator. It is about the aircraft and to that end my ego does not suffer when I never announce who I am. Does the crowd knowing my name add to the airshow experience – I think not !

When there are two commentators I just stick to the facts. I believe that it is NOT a competition between commentators to see who can get out the most and it has happened on occasion when commentating with others where I have remained silent rather that try and get my ‘two cents worth” in. I have worked with commentators – or those who have been asked to commentate – who have done no preparation at all, with others who have made numerous mistakes in fact but, again, its not a competition and I do not jump in and make a correction of their statements. I have been to shows where I literally cringe both as a commentator and a spectator. By far and away the worst are – and I apologise here – radio jocks who are there due to their ‘popularity’ on the noise box. The vast majority of them – and again here I apologise to those who don’t – treat the show as if it is peak hour drive time with a captive audience of numbskulls locked in their vehicles and at their mercy for whatever innane drivel they wish to espouse. I have worked with other radio guys who have done their prep, who understand that an airshow is not radio and who respect the aircraft and the crowd. That is enjoyable. I have worked with other commentators with whom there is an instant understanding and the commentary just flows with both of us knowing when to remain silent. I have worked with commentators who inexplicably have to wave their arms around giving signals every second like a demented orchestra conductor or animated fighter pilot. Why they do this is a mystery to me. I have a good friend with whom I have often worked and when commentating with him it is just a pleasure and I know this comes through the PA. Should there be areas where the PA system is silent for those who do not wish any commentary – I wholeheartedly agree. Those areas still need the PA system for emergencies and that area could certainly be blacked out till needed.

All commentators have a style. What mine is I do not know and I shall leave that up to those who have heard me to describe. I hope that it is informative but not for me to say.

As to those who think being a commentator is easy, just try it sometime. Its very easy to be critical or derogative when you have not done it. Try sitting in a commentary box and talking about a show that lasts for four hours without making a single mistake, stumble of just talking for a second or two too long. The public cannot see you but the pressure is still there. Better still, try commentating when standing in front of a crowd for three or four hours without notes, in full view of the crowd and not making a mistake but trying to keep it interesting. When you have done that I am more than happy to sit down with you and hear your comments. Each show is also different from a small, intimate fly-in to a major military show, regional display or something like Legends. Each must be treated differently and with due deference. Just in case you are thinking, “Well, you are paid handsomely to be able to do all of those things….”, I shall say now that it is a very rare occasion in the last 18 years that I have received any payment for what I do. I do not ask to be paid just to be accommodated and to get something to eat.

It is a very long time since my first commentary, (an impromptu affair standing on a hangar forecourt hardstand with a guitar amplifier, newly purchased, (that morning), microphone all sitting on a rolling toolbox in front of about 20 people) to what I am privileged to do now and I am very thankful for all the opportunities I have been given and the experiences I have had both at home and overseas. I try to improve each and every time but – as mentioned above – it is impossible to please everyone. I just do the best job I can thinking it is me out there listening to me in the box. Again, it is easy to criticise but hard to do.

If nothing comes up try Dixie Air Parts in San Antonio, Texas.

James, a very measured, factual and concise piece as usual. No-one who was not in the cockpit knows what happened or why, nor shall we until the results of the AAIB inspection and report are published. Speculation is just that. It is not helpful, it does nothing to help the families and friends of those who were killed or injured nor does it add in any way to the body of information that pilots and other operators use to hone their skills to continue displaying these aircraft. The constant repetition of the film of the incident would have a considerable effect on the families and friends of those involved. These images have been shown over and over around the world for the benefit of the so-called news outlets and the “shock-horror” their newsreaders can inject into the story. I remember after 9/11 that the news outlets were requested to stop the constant rehashing of the film showing the aircraft striking those towers. This was to lessen the grief of the thousands of people who had relatives, friends, family members killed in the attack. Time it happened in this case.

My thoughts and condolences go out to all involved and especially to the pilot and his family. Whatever happened, for each and every second of the aircraft’s descent he would have been totally aware of what was happening – and about to happen – and would have been doing everything in his power to prevent it. I hope to God he survives and those others who were injured survive their injuries and we are able, in time, to know what caused this tragedy.