RE: Airshow Irritations!
Having had occasion to be on the other side of the fence at shows I’d like to make a few comments.
>Using junk as chocks. Leaving the covers on.
It’s not always possible to get the covers off an aircraft before the gates open, particularly if you happen to be looking after more than one aircraft, at times the owner may ask for the covers to be left on if the weather looks iffy. At times items need to be left by aircraft so as to get them started, particularly the Yak 11 which will require a large air bottle with a regulator and hoses, unless the pilot feels brave and wants to rely on internal air, bearing in mind on a stock Yak 11 the air is also needed for the brakes you can see why this is necessary.
Cleaning material also may be required for those machines that throw their fluids around at random so as they can be cleaned up for photographs, and the show.
In addition tool boxes may be required if something needs attending to.
>Getting into a rearly good position only to have a Rental
>van or fuel bowser park in front.
No fuel = No fly
Not sure about rental vans, only that they may contain the tools needed to get the machine in the air which the crew need to unload.
>Having large aircraft parked close to the barrier and small
>ones far away.
On many airfield there is often a concrete ramp nearest to the crowdline, and grass further away. Bigger aircraft may very well be heavier thereby needing the concrete, leaving the smaller lighter machines for the grass, believe me it’s no fun trying to dig an aeroplane out of the mud.
>Formations that take forever to formate and then only make
>one pass, usually at high speed.
Not a pilot so can’t comment, but there must be a reason
>Not taxying the full length of the airfield so everyone can
>get a shot.
Occasionally done as aircraft are designed to be flown and not driven about on the ground, Spits and the like can overheat without the correct airflow passing over them. In addition there are at times more aircraft than pilots so it may be necessary for the pilot to get back ASAP so there is not a gap in the programme.
>Having unusual aircraft (like the Ju52 and me108) parked in
>places so you can’t get a good shot.
I can guess the show this happened at!!!!
As for dolly birds being shown over aircraft I can’t object to that, but I guess I’ve not been to the right shows for that.
One comment I will make is that on occasion I have been verbally abused by individuals at airshows when either discussing an issue with a pilot, or attending to an issue which would otherwise keep the aircraft grounded for the show.
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