Are you not a pleb yourself then?

That’s a funny question like asking somebody if they are from Essex. Nobody is going to admit it.:D

Interesting that, I’ve only once met a girl interested in planes, well potentially a second today as a matter of fact.
Now I’m all for gender equality and all, but at least in my limited view the gender stereotype of girls not liking aircraft seems to be upheld by the majority!

I have great hopes of my 2 year old granddaughter she is very interested in aeroplanes and is always pointing at them in the sky. She enjoyed her visit to Manchester airport viewing area and wanted to go to see the ‘planes at Barton. Just need to start early with the indoctrination. Bit of a problem with a girlfriend/wife though although I have managed it with my wife but she does like old things like me. Unintended pun then but true.

I do agree. I think that we blokes – certainly this bloke – tend to invest WW2 aircraft with a romanticism that isn’t at all widely shared or understood, particularly with regard to the Spitfire, Hurricane and the Lancaster.

I think it is an age thing, John.

So, with regard to the thread subject, are these young people who don’t look up from their smartphones or the wives reading their books the ones who the commentary is designed for?

I believe so and as has been pointed out air shows do need to attract new audiences as us old fogies make our way to the blue skies. Pop music is played at RIAT.

Same goes for sitting on the front row. I can see the same thing ten metres back apart mostly. I think wanting to record the event either with photos or video introduces stress as you then need to be in a good position. That’s not knocking those who do it but so many (not all) of the complaints are about sound/Video/stills being ruined. If that wasn’t their intent then maybe the stress would be less. I realise of course there are those who simply can’t stand it. Why not have dedicated photographers and videographers areas. These areas could only be for photography pros/enthusiasts. Get rid of the speaker system and for safety (so the people in this area can hear safety announcements) have a steward in radio contact with control. Charge an extra fiver to cover it. Has it been tried?

Something we agree on. I am fortunate that I can go both days and on Friday. In this way I can see everything and get what captures I want as you say it is not ALL about the photos. At RIAT the FRIAT enclosure has a grandstand, a rope line, left luggage, toilets, very decent coffee and burgers within the enclosure and a marquee with seating and a daily flying list including arrival and departure days. The vast majority are there for one thing and are very considerate of each other. The only fly in the ointment is the public address system which plays pop music when the commentator isn’t talking. Commentary here was good. The public site is literally massive, miles long, and there must be several address systems coupled together and my suggestion is to have one system that covers the enclosures that has the commentary without the music. Simples everybody happy, well almost.

They had a grandstand at Kemble a few years back that I thought worked well.

I think it would be nice to have a grandstand at DX possibly forming part of the FOD enclosure with allocated seats and a charge sufficient to cover the cost.

A stress free air show!!! That will be the day. Ban all people under 40, close all access roads for use by attendees including one lane of the M11 in both directions. Have all seating pre booked. Increase the ticket price to £200 to keep the plebs out. Headphone commentary only, DX has just installed WIFI outside so maybe that’s the way they intend to go.

some of the aircraft are so far away, you need binoculars to see them

I would suggest you go to the wrong places. Next time go to Beachy Head or out on the pier. The Ocean on the pier gives you inside and outside elevated views together with an inclusive drink and chef cooked food all for £20. Here you can watch the slower aeroplanes fly straight at you at your level. You can also charter a boat if you do not mind being in the danger zone, in light of recent events this may be stopped.

You show me how to put the accent on the ‘e’ using my phone and it will be much appreciated 🙂

You are correct that it is your personal observation but it is also a cliche that the younger generation have shorter attention spans. Unless of course someone can point me to some research that states contrary?

Your point about the 14 year old girl doesn’t show a lack of attention / short attention span. She had a very good attention span to whatever was in her phone! Maybe she wasn’t that interested in the flying. Wearing the red arrows gear doesn’t necessarily indicate a in depth interest.

And I don’t think any of those things about old people. I believe they are clichés ( insert accent for me please ). Just lazy stereotypes. I’ve met enough progressive, sharp and open minded old people to know that. It was used as an example of lazy thinking. Your view of young people is I think not very accurate and your cornerstones are one full on film franchise and viewing a girls behaviour from a far. We know nothing of what she was doing. Might have been texting her friend about Jean-Paul Satre for all we know. Or Towie. Who knows. Likewise Fast and the Furious is indeed, I concur, rot. But it doesn’t represent ever film that is released. Go to an independent cinema and see some very intelligent films. I went to see a Buster Keaton film in South London a few years ago. Packed with kids. Laughing their heads off. Can we draw the conclusion from this that all children are cinema-buffs. No, course not but Id challenge you to give the younger generation more credit.

With respect Paul.

Re The é I was originally having a little fun with Charlie who understands a joke when he sees one. Please read my earlier posts on the grammar police you are making my very point why we do not need these self appointed police.

As I say it is my observation from my experiences and examples are just that examples. You are incorrectly assuming that I do not think what they are doing is of any value or that a film mentioned is bad, I didn’t say that, it is a film with non stop continuous action. The point is that, from my experience only, youth needs continuous active input and relating to the subject of this thread is why the public address system is being used for pop music and none stop talking thinking this is needed to entertain the masses. I happen to think it is not necessary and in fact spoils it for some others. Are you seriously suggesting a 14 year old girl would put on a red flying suite without having a very good reason?

At Legends they had very good Laurel and Hardy impersonators and I stopped to listen whilst various parents explained who they were to their children, which, of course, is not to say those children would not find the films amusing.

Unsurprisingly we have had different experiences but we were talking about this in relationship to behaviour at air shows. But hey I don’t hate all children, just those that are not my own.:D

Thanks Charlie seems a little better now.

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