To keep people advised if an event is cancelled, perhaps they should ask for mobile numbers and employ the services of a specialist company to send … — … messages. I’d be happy with that, so long as my mobile number wasn’t used for other purposes.

But I doubt my pipe-dreams would be realised

Excellent points on which I don’t have an answer. But the idea involves new sites, or sites that could be properly adapted.

Don’t ask me to chip in – Incapacity Benefit doesn’t pay that well. 😀

What is probably needed most of all, to safeguard airshows in the future, is about 4 or 5 purpose built/developed arenas, rather than relying on RAF or ex-RAF stations which are built for utility, and not a single thought towards public demonstrations.

Such public arenas could be developed to cater for a wide range of activities, not simply air shows – without a blade of grass in sight and adequate drainage.

A permanent runway on such sites could be utilised for local flying, when not putting on displays, and relatively open, but permanent structures, rather than marquees would also have a multitude of different year round purposes.

Proper stands, too. Plenty of race courses (and football stadums) have permanent stands and structures that are not only used for horse racing (or football).

Such a place would be much more convenient, and a few strategically placed around the country would be ideal.

But I doubt my pipe-dreams would be realised. But don’t knock the idea – they would be a boon for clients that rely on corporate marketing.

The ability for customers to fly directly into a corporate event, rather than landing at a public airport and then travelling to some out of the way place, would be a boon to both the marketing client and their potential customers.

Chinese lessons working then Rob?;)

You must be gutted, especially after discharging yourself from hospital.

Regards,

kev35

🙁 Bu, wo puthonghua bu hao 🙁

Seems that perhaps it is a result of the ‘Vulcan’ effect that advance ticket sales were so high.

That’s certainly why I bought a ticket for Sunday.

I can only hope it goes ahead, because I actually discharged myself from hospital last evening, too. Simply because of the investment I’ve already made in going to RIAT. To say that I would be “disappointed” would be a gross under-statement. I can see the doctors & nurses, who’s concerns I chose to over-rule on the basis of quality of life, over quantity, and the fact that this is a once a year treat to myself, plus the loss of investment, laughing at me even now.

Duxford is just too far for me to go, so it’s not an option.

Rob.

Have been to Yeovilton before but have never been to a show there so was just interested to hear your reasoning.

Interesting point about being locked in. Never thought of the security angle before but it is doubtful if that would impact upon me as it is unlikely I would go on my own now unless I was expecting to meet someone there. Never know when I’m going to need somebody to pick me up off the floor!

You can have a similar experience elsewhere though can’t you? I mean the provision of chairs etc.? I’m thinking of the various enclosures offered at certain shows.

Crowds I also tend to have a problem with. If I’m on my own I’ll be on crutches and balance becomes a real issue in a crowd. If I’m in the chair some of that is taken away but it’s bloody awful being sat down while passing through crowds. You do tend to get a feeling which I can’t help acquainting with what I perceive claustrophobia to feel like. Not to mention the looks you get which generally range from ‘how dare he be here in that thing,, up to ‘ahh, isn’t it a shame.’

Regards,

kev35

,
Kev,

You may not recall, but we have met (@ Cosford) – so I know of your physical condition.

Given that I would expect next year’s photocall day to be somewhat livelier than this years was, I would recommend that you go.

While it is on grass, everyone parks right next to the hospitality tent and there is usually only about 200 people there, if that. It’s more like a garden party.

On show day, all parking is off site, in surrounding fields – definitely not where you want to be.

They don’t open the gate until 1pm, so there should be plenty of time to make the entire trip there in daylight, but you only have about a half hour window (1 to 1.30) to enter, before the gates are locked.

I don’t understand. Why don’t you go to the show rather than the, apparently, non show?

Regards,

kev35

Well, there are several points that usually make photocall day better from my point of view, Kev: –

1. It is usually a lot lot better than on this occasion.
2. It is cheaper. (Not just in entry fee terms, but with less traffic on the roads than show day. so there is a small saving in petrol too. Not to mention the inevitable show day queue frustration.)
3. It is a lot more civilized in that there are no huge crowds jostling for position. I’m not one for big crowds, personally – but it’s something I have to put up with most times.
4. Because everyone is locked in, there is less chance of having any of your kit knicked if you need to pop to the loo.
5. Chairs are provided, so nothing to carry around except your lunchbox and camera.
6. And, of course, no one could have predicted the lack of activity. Last year, and the year before, we had great days.

I just find it a much more comfortable experience, really. So I lucked out this year – I’ll put it down to the rising price of fuel at the moment.

If next year it doesn’t work, I’ll go back to the proper show date. Or, just in case, go to both.

With the founder aircraft being at least 28 years old, how long can they continue racking up the stresses that aerobatics impose?

They must be just a couple of years away, if not due, to have them all replaced with the latest Hawk incarnation. (Would that make it a Pheonix?)

It might even be nice if they rebranded the RAFs display team at the same time, so they don’t have to rely so much on a single colour. I know the Reds are well recognised and are even loved by the public, but a rebranding might enable them to adopt more exotic paint schemes. How about simply “The Arrows” or “Britain’s Arrows”?