Airshows 2016

Sadly I can't make OW on Sunday. Daughter's 7th birthday party takes precedence. I gues the Reds will be at OW more often if they have fewer shows to participate in!

So Steve, I'm expecting pictures mate!

The cancellations continue ....



Church Fenton's Great Yorkshire Air Fest
This was looking so promising as a show as well especially after last years debut (Facebook statement) -


THE GREAT YORKSHIRE AIRFEST·WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2016

It is with regret that the organisers of the Great Yorkshire AirFest 2016 are announcing the cancellation of this year’s event. The show, which was due to take place on 2-3 July 2016, has been cancelled following a particularly challenging year for the air show community.

A combination of factors has led the GYAF organisers to take the difficult decision to cancel the event. These include increased fees following the new CAA regulations, heavy investment required to support the show’s infrastructure and, despite public interest in the event, a slow uptake in ticket sales.

A spokesperson said: “We are incredibly disappointed to cancel this year’s Great Yorkshire AirFest. This year has been challenging for everyone involved in the air show community as we’ve seen from the number of UK shows which have been postponed or cancelled.

“At all times, our priority has been to host a safe and entertaining show for all visitors. Despite the great efforts and hard work from all the AirFest team, running a viable event for 2016 will be incredibly difficult.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the AirFest in 2016 and hope to be back in the future.”

All those who have bought tickets will be refunded in full directly through Eventbrite. For any other enquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
alans895

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Felixstowe Airshow (www.felixstowecarnival.org/air-show/)


Press Release – Felixstowe Air Display Cancellation

Felixstowe Carnival Committee has made the difficult decision not to go ahead with the air display at this year’s carnival on 23rd and 24th July 2016.

The decision, which was taken at the committee’s meeting on Monday, 9 May, was not made lightly. The committee is fully aware of what a popular part of the 2-day Carnival the Air Display has become.

But the decision was based on the committee facing similar issues to other event organisers, in that the insurance costs to cover air displays has become prohibitive.

Sally Gallant, chair of the carnival committee, said: “We are a committee of volunteers, raising money for charity, and the insurance costs for the air display now make it unviable.”

“Although we are very disappointed, we hope the community will understand our decision and come out to support us as much as they have in other years.”

“The air display was one small part of the carnival. There are still many other great attractions for all the family. We have signed some terrific local bands and entertainers.”

“The long-standing traditional procession through the town remains one of our highlights, as does the grand firework finale. So I would appeal to people turn out to take part in the Carnival and support local charities.”

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Air Atlantique/Classic AirForce have now withdrawn all their remaining display acts (both Meteors!!!!) from any more future displays -

Dear Air Display Organisers,

After much thought and discussion it is with great regret that we have taken the decision not to offer any of our vintage jet fleet for either static or flying display activity this year.

With discussions ongoing with a number of interested parties to purchase aircraft, the added cost of ensuring flight crew currency and competence plus the maintenance and insurance requirements to ensure safe and ongoing operation, it is just not appropriate to display our aircraft this season.

We have not taken this decision lightly and as major supporters of the display circuit for many years showcasing the often unsung heroes of the post WW2 vintage jet era we hope that you will understand and support our decision.

Thank you for your past support and we offer our very best wishes for your 2016 displays.

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There's also rumours going round that all Duxford's shows could be for the chop next as well pending a review that the CAA will be making after the forthcoming show at the end of May has taken place. I think the big problem for Duxfords shows is the closeness of the M11 & the huge amount of people gathering in the surrounding fields over on the other side of the airfield. There's talk of the show being forced to stop if anybody does gather in those fields.

We noticed at Old Warden's Season Premier Show a couple of weekends ago that the surrounding roads where closed for the duration of the display & keep out signs in all the fields around the aerodrome. I think all the nearby footpaths where closed also.

Steve

Yet more bad news...

'Yakolevs Team Forced To Cancel Festival' (From the Yakolevs display team Facebook page) -

It is with great sadness that TeamYakovlevs have had to cancel our 4 Displays at The Belfast Maritime Festival next weekend at such short notice. We have been displaying safely at this venue over the past decade without issue and with the complete agreement of Belfast City Council, and Belfast City Airport (we are 1 mile NW of their runway).
Despite seeking early assurances from the CAA, who stated " .. We can see no reason why we would not issue a permission for this..." Decided to turn the display area down and gave a new box some...1.5 miles from the spectators. ‪
We would like to thank everyone at the airport & council for their help, and the CAA for leaving it so late to say No. You really are not fit for purpose @keepairshowsairborne

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From the Breeze Website - "No Option But To Cancel The Red Arrows" -

The Red Arrows won't be coming to Minehead this August for the annual Summer Festival.

The decision follows safety changes which were brought in following the Shoreham air disaster in Sussex.

Last year's event attracted 12,000 people to the Somerset town.

Butlin's Minehead Resort Director Julian Highfield said: "It's not a decision we have taken lightly, nor is it one that we like having to make.

"However, having assessed the new rules and taken everything into account, we felt we had no option.

"We understand that people will be disappointed but hopefully they will understand safety has to be our first consideration.”

"The team at Butlin’s and the Minehead Events Group are currently looking at options to replace the event, and will make an announcement if and when they have any news."

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I'm really looking back at last years airshow season (pre Shoreham obviously) as 'the good old days' now

Steve

This is getting desperate!

According to the local BBC news, a provisional date for the 2017 RAF Scampton airshow is the 9/10th September.



Edit - a topic for Scampton 2017 is here -》 www.airfieldresearchgroup.org.uk/forum/a...mpton-in-2017#128700
Kevin

stevie wrote:

There's also rumours going round that all Duxford's shows could be for the chop next as well pending a review that the CAA will be making after the forthcoming show at the end of May has taken place. I think the big problem for Duxfords shows is the closeness of the M11 & the huge amount of people gathering in the surrounding fields over on the other side of the airfield. There's talk of the show being forced to stop if anybody does gather in those fields.



Steve

The display programme was "put on hold" last year following the fatal traffic collision near the A505/M11 junction. I can't recall how long the display aircraft were held off before recommencing their routine, but it wasn't that long.
The fields off Grange Road have been fenced off and gates put up on all the field entrances this year.
With all air shows at Duxford becoming advance ticket only, there shouldn't be any queues of traffic backing up along the A505 as people try to get in, as has happened in the past.
From my understanding, a lot of work has gone into ensuring the Duxford shows will comply with CAA findings to ensure it remains a safe show.

Having a busy motorway on airfield perimeters doesn't seem to stop hundreds of commercial flights crossing them daily into Gatwick, Heathrow and many other UK airports. How many times does the M25 grind to a halt near Heathrow?...

Anyway, if Duxford can't make the new regulations work, then I guess we can kiss air shows in the UK goodbye…

I expect Germaine Greer's chickens will be pleased though...

Agree with what you say there Bob.

Thankfully all seemed to run okay at Duxford. A couple of people managed to enter the fields opposite but where soon moved on by IWM security. The aircraft seemed to display more or less to the same display lines that they always have at Dux although some aircraft did perform some manovers higher & further away but on a whole thankfully the flying wasn't to effected under the new regulations unlike sadly at Old Warden's show last month. Will post some pics from Dux soon.

I went on the Sunday and attendance was way down on previous shows - I heard a figure of 8,000 mentioned by someone in the FoD enclosure. There were still about a third of the seats free in there which was not usual.
The display axis was further up from the M11 end and noticeably further out (maybe even over the hard runway).
I did hear comments from some spectators about wishing they'd brought binos.
Apart from the Typhoon and the Red Arrows, the warbird displays were a lot less "energetic" - "Slower, Higher, Further" might be a good slogan for the next shows....
I think the SE5/Dreidecker display set the parameters for the day!
The 'naughty field' was empty as far as I could tell on the Sunday - some people still don't get the reasons for this…

The tank bank end of the airfield is probably the best place to view things from nowadays then. They do still seem to come in closer there especially when landing (see pic below). I just hope the rumour going round that they plan to close off the tankbank end for Flying Legends isn't true!! I did notice when we went for a wonder away from the tank bank during the afternoon that the display line does now seem to arch away from the crowdline, the closer you get to the M11 end.



Yes Saturday was fairly sparse as well, methinks it's not a good idea making the event ticket only when there isn't a big headline act due to appear. It's certainly not going to attract the families & general 'people looking for a nice day out' crowds who decide to pop to Duxford on the morning of the show. A bad move on IWM's part & I really hope they go back to 'on the day tickets' asap as they have enough to deal with, with these new safety regulations without putting the audience off from coming along as well.

Steve



PS.... The Brietling Wingwalkers & The Great War Combat Team have now been given a special dispensation by the CAA to display at 75m so thankfully there displays will remain the same as usual. Some common sense at last & encouraging news. At least it proves the CAA are willing to compromise a little.....anychance they can rethink the ridiculous 250 m rule for Old Warden now?????

Things will settle down as everyone gets used to new rules I expect and accomdations and improvements are made.

Enjoy OW mate. Can't wait to see the pictures.