We predicted a Riat... this is what you say!

2008 poses many challenges for the airshow industry - at a time when costs are rising, the general economy is down-turning, airshow organisers should be rallying together for a healthier, sustainable industry going forward. But it would seem the opposite is happening - date clashes amongst the most important events on the calendar point to an atmosphere of self-protectionism, without any undue thought to the industry as a whole. Gary Parsons looked at the problems and attempted to find a way forward, and this is what you said in reply…

Paul Forbes

The 2008 airshow calendar dates are crazy - too many top events are too close together for the normal paying public. With gate prices rising for a family of four, wouldn't it be better for all if they all agreed dates a few weeks apart? Take 2007 - the 'Spirit of Adventure' clashed with the Southend airshow. Also, there are now no solo displays from the Tornado or Harrier - it would seem that RAFAT, along with the Hawk & Tucano displays, are all that's left to see on an ordinary airshow! I hear many young children asking why the fast jets are missing.

It would seem the way forward is to go to RAF Coningsby on any day for a free airshow - there's a cracking burger van too!

Andy Tatton

Oh for the memories and airshow nostalgia of the 80s and early 90s - the days of national pride, a proud aviation heritage, aircraft and industry diversity and the ability of our armed forces to show the tax payer where his hard earned money goes has been overtaken by health and safety, accountants, and playing our part as a 'blue chip world power' on a shoestring budget.

Whilst the variety and availability of aircraft has become ever more limited, we compound the issue even more by some of our 'airshow organisers' overlapping the few remaining show dates that we have left.

It isn't just the airshow organisers running the risks of making ends meet, Joe Public is also directly affected by the increasing costs of living and whilst many enthusiasts will do their utmost to attend as many shows as possible, the general public is becoming increasing forced to pick and choose its best 'value for money' airshow dates and venues.

Year-on-year traditional, set venue dates are great, but when major shows clash we all lose out, attendance figures at one or both clashing shows fall, break-even costs are missed or narrowly met and the plans to put on a successful event for the following year are instantly subjected to greater risk of failure - all because the organisers can not, or will not, compromise.

The next couple of years I believe are critical to the airshow scene - insurance, fuel, facilities and organisation costs are not going to get any cheaper.

If we plan to remain enthusiastic and entertained by airshows, the cost burdens must be controlled and shared by the supporting trades and industries. Organisers must avoid damaging each others' show potential by overlapping dates; greater effort must be brought to bear on the accountants who control our armed forces ability to support events and for us all to rekindle national pride in our aeronautical achievements and be allowed to show them off to an appreciative and supporting public (tax payers).

The 'Day of the Unmanned Air Vehicle' is around the corner and it's up to us all to make the most of what we have. Spread out and support all the shows the best we can and fight to keep our heritage flying…now where's that Vulcan and Norwegian Starfighter…a UK-based Lightning would be good too!

Steve van Rhyn

Just pleased we still have any shows! With the current rate of cuts in the armed forces and overseas operational commitments it will only be a few more years and there will only be one airshow - with a Typhoon to represent the RAF - painted in 617 'Dambusters' markings (on one side) and 1 Squadron markings on the other. Enjoy the shows while they last!

Barry Hill and Ness Kemble

What a fiasco 2008's airshow season is! Last year we booked our accommodation in Lincolnshire for the much-loved Waddo bash, only to find out that the organisers had 'done the dirty' on us and moved the date to crash straight into our local Yeovilton. The choice is simple... three miles from home or two hundred - no contest really.

The organisers obviously think they have a divine right to certain dates - from a spotter's perspective this is nothing more than 'bloody-mindedness' - anything that can be done to be awkward will be done, or so it seems.

Whatever the 'big boys' do, I wish they'd do it sooner rather than later, as holidays and accommodations have to be booked and it's no good leaving that till the last minute. For us, Fairford has divine rights to be first in the queue, which is six days of solid wall-to-wall bliss. Everyone else should fit in around that, with the proviso of being one per weekend only. They have no tangible excuses not to - just get on and do it and spare me yet more grey hairs from all the worry of what we're likely to miss when making the choice of which airshow to attend - there are precious little of them as there are, surely a bit of co-operation between them would help them all attract more planes and spotters alike.

Steve Foster

I could not agree more with your comments regarding the total lack of communication between airshow organisers.

First of all why can't Duxford change the Flying Legends date? Surely the weekend of Farnborough would have been a better bet. We all know that Farnborough is mainly a commercial show and the public days are not really as crowd drawing as RIAT. Besides, with all those foreign visitors, they might draw a bigger crowd, as I am sure a trip back in time would be a welcome break from all those business deals! There is also what appears to be a blank weekend at the end of June.

Surely TFC must realise that the vast majority of the airshow public will go to RIAT. I know that Duxford has very loyal traders who will attend all the events there, and from what I have heard these traders will still be at Duxford, mainly because of sky-high pitch prices a Fairford. I think all the traders are very concerned about the numbers attending Flying Legends - it will surely be well down on last year.

Admittedly there will be those few hardened airshow goers who will attend Fairford one day and Duxford the next, if they can afford it! What possible reason can TFC give for not being flexible?

Gary Watson

I, like most show-fans, realise it's no easy feat to put on an airshow and that a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes by an army of people to make it happen. But I wonder if at times these people stop to think at times about the people coming through the gates.

I was talking to a friend at Legends last year on the Sunday, and when he told me how much it cost him to be at the show with is wife and three kids, I was shocked. Later that morning I was told a similar story and it was clear to me that we are in changing times.

We, the public, are being forced to attend on the shows' terms, but many cannot afford it. I, like a lot of fans, have not got a money tree in my back garden, so I have had to re-organise my season. In the past you had time for breath until the next show and save, now you cannot because they are so tightly-packed.

Another comment heard at Legends was that the short show duration - just three hours. If you go to Waddington it's seven hours for half the cost. I know that the stuff Legends tries to get in costs, but so does operating any aircraft these days.

Over the last few years we have saved our money by going to airshows in Europe, such as Leeuwarden, Brno, or Berlin, thanks to booking early with low-cost airlines. At Leeuwarden it was free entrance to show, free program and free bottled water on the way out. We were treated well and will be having some more of it.

I predict that in the UK there will be a lot more people watching from over the fences and roads due to costs - I don't share the view that they are 'tight', more like using their 'loafs'.

Mark Broadbent

The proposed 2010 calendar is eminently sensible, though Southport's dates tend to move around September somewhat due to the tidal issue the venue has. There's no guarantee that particular event will be able to take the same weekend each year.

The article's suggestion of creating a 'UK Airshow Group' representing all UK event organisers could potentially be beneficial for the industry - and not merely for arranging dates in advance. By working together, a cohesive UK Airshow Group could present a more effective case to potential commercial sponsors.

Why must each individual airshow work separately to attract sponsorship? A UK Airshow Group could present an impressive pitch - "We, as a Group, through the events we stage from May to September, can offer your brand significant geographical reach with exposure to 'x' million people per year, not counting extra exposure gained through local and national media and website click-throughs."

US air displays do better in this regard. Many major companies, such as John Deere, Pepsi, Shell, are involved as sponsors of numerous airshows around the US - not just the odd one here or there. Why can't UK airshows, operating together under the auspices of a UK Airshow Group, try to replicate this? With each event working together, the industry potentially could have more success in attracting high-profile companies into developing partnerships with all event organisers, with all events sharing the benefits.

Martin Schofield

It is difficult to disagree with the points raised - there does seem to be little or no co-operation between organisers, with the result that some weekends are crowded, and others have nothing on at all. For those of us whose only entrance is by buying a ticket and getting ourselves there, it makes for some difficult decisions.

Yes, there is an 'industry', and perhaps there does need to be some kind of council, organisation, etc. to oversee and co-ordinate events so that clashes do not happen. Traders, the RAF and display acts could also be represented, so that the years ahead see a balanced programme and not the winner-takes-all attitude that appears to be prevailing. Otherwise, we may end up with just a few events spread across a long summer.

Stephen Marginson

Why does someone not grab the old Air Fete weekend at the end of May. Now Air Fete is dead, surely Waddington, Legends or RIAT could make it a good weekend bash. Remember the 250,000-plus people that turned out at Mildenhall on this May weekend.

Andy Hill

I have never quite worked out why one of the big four airshows could not fill the gap left by Mildenhall - a Bank Holiday weekend with nearly always good weather at the 'Hall.

Paul McAllister

I think people in mainland UK are very lucky to have so many airshows to choose from. It does seem really stupid to have the four or five big shows clashing.

I live in Northern Ireland and we have Newtownards/Enniskillen every two years, which is usually very well organised. Then there is the show at Portrush which can be disorganised chaos! Portrush usually gets a good crowd because it is a free show and has attracted the Red Arrows several times, but my main gripe with it is they always have five or six civilian acts returning year after year, often displaying two or even three times per show.

I think the RAF need to revamp the Tucano and Grob Tutor displays - they are always flown much too high and too far from the crowd. Both are very capable machines but so what if you need powerful binoculars to see them!

Bob Archer

Traditionally enthusiasts are used to cramming in several air shows in a weekend, especially in mainland Europe, where it has always been possible to visit as many as daylight (or a good torch) will allow. I can think of some horrendous drives across Europe (Bordeaux to Hahn being one), and I am sure many visitors to the site will recall equally arduous, but enjoyable weekends. Therefore, a few clashing air events in the UK should be a 'Sunday afternoon walk in the park'. We are quite resourceful beings, and enjoy a challenge!

Tom McGhee

I think having approximately twenty decent-sized airshows in the UK over the summer is still pretty good. Okay, it cannot match the mid-80s, but compared to most other countries, is still a fairly decent haul.

A 'UK Airshow Council', as suggested by Mark Broadbent, seems like an eminently sensible solution - maybe as an offshoot of the EAC, it could encourage airshow organisers to work together. How about it, organisers? We'll be seeking your views throughout the summer!

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