What attracts people to airshows?

Nathan · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:49 am

I've been lucky where I have yet had to go #2 in a porty john.

Even if I had to I think I'd pass. :vom:

JDK · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:59 am

That, Nathan, was what they call excess data.

6trn4brn · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:36 am

Have to chuckle a bit when I read some of the replies from you fellas. Been there, done that, seen that, heard that...must be the same wherever ya go.

Two things that certainly strike me: First...getting to sit and talk to some of the owner/operators is so awesome! Every owner operator that I have made the effort to talk to has been exemplary..well...with the exception of one, not to be named :roll:

(and, yes, he does frequent this board from time to time)

Second is the comaraderie between the veterans and the owner/operators. I have spent so much time listening to veterans stand and talk to others around a given aircraft. Met several veterans of the USS Indianapolis at the Corsair gathering a few years ago. Wonderful people to talk to...or more like listen to.

So I guess that is my strange spin on going to aishows...I get to meet some of my heroes. Seeing the lovely aircraft in their element is a nice side touch

JDK · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:48 am

6trn4brn wrote:

...must be the same wherever ya go.

Certainly seems like it to me. The similarities outrank the differences, and too many smell of Kero, not enough of Castor.

Mudge · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:25 am

Dan K wrote:

daveymac82c wrote:

I honestly also like re-enactors in uniforms. It adds a neat effect to the show and makes for some cook photos.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Cn52Cz_NMC8/S ... Pic017.JPG

He was hoping you'd say that.

But Dan...How far away from that electric outlet can you get before your extension cord pulls out?

Mudge the concerned :hide:

Dan K · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:46 am

Mudge wrote:

Dan K wrote:

daveymac82c wrote:

I honestly also like re-enactors in uniforms. It adds a neat effect to the show and makes for some cook photos.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Cn52Cz_NMC8/S ... Pic017.JPG

He was hoping you'd say that.

But Dan...How far away from that electric outlet can you get before your extension cord pulls out?

Mudge the concerned :hide:

Good one, Mudge!

But please allay your concerns. The linked pic is not of me, but rather what appears to be our own Flyingheritage/Wixlova/HGUCSU/Sabredriver. It's just one of several pics posted at his own web blog, Heritage Flying Gear Displays:

http://heritageflyinggear.blogspot.com/ ... chive.html

So, you'll need to address your extension cord question to Phil, the actual guy in the pics.

Glyn · **Joined:** Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:23 am **Posts:** 321

I find it curious when some people say (in effect) "the dearer the better, let's keep the low-lifes out". Entry to UK displays is expensive enough already. Go to France - the displays that are not completely free only cost a couple of Euros at most and I don't think they have a low life problem.

Django · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:36 am

I think the sampling of respondents here is probably skewed... :lol:

For me personally, there has to be plenty of WWII aircraft. I like to be able to do some living history stuff on the flightline. The modern stuff is neat, but I wouldn't go out of my way. When I was younger, it was all good, it didn't matter. These days, my free time is precious, and I have to choose accordingly.

We have the Chicago Air and Water show here. I get to see the Tbirds/Angels practice on Thur/Fri from my office, so that's neat. Aerobatics are fun but not a big draw for me anymore. And with 3 million people along the lakefront every year, my tolerance for that many people wanes more and more each year. So I have not gone for a long time. And there's rarely ever any WWII iron.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11335

Planes of Fame has one child free with a paid adult this year in an attempt to make it easier on families bringing kids. Without the kids, the future of general aviation, especially warbirds, is in question.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:47 pm

Dan K wrote:

Mudge wrote:

Dan K wrote:

daveymac82c wrote:

I honestly also like re-enactors in uniforms. It adds a neat effect to the show and makes for some cook photos.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Cn52Cz_NMC8/S ... Pic017.JPG

He was hoping you'd say that.

But Dan...How far away from that electric outlet can you get before your extension cord pulls out?

Mudge the concerned :hide:

Good one, Mudge!

But please allay your concerns. The linked pic is not of me, but rather what appears to be our own Flyingheritage/Wixlova/HGUCSU/Sabredriver. It's just one of several pics posted at his own web blog, Heritage Flying Gear Displays:

http://heritageflyinggear.blogspot.com/ ... chive.html

So, you'll need to address your extension cord question to Phil, the actual guy in the pics.

Haha no way! That's the guy?! That's the guy whose been kicked off time and again? Well he must be from across the pond. Look at those outlets in the wall behind him! :lol:

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

6trn4brn wrote:

(and, yes, he does frequent this board from time to time)

Hope it wasnt me. :shock:

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:23 pm

Ok, I know there was a comment or two about the paid airshow comment being a bit off. Maybe it was. What I was trying to get at was that there seems to be "different" crowds. Some shows seem to attract anyone who wants something to do on a weekend, and there may be all kinds of folks there from the toddler who doesn't like noise but is being brought anyway, to the dude trying to impress his cheap girlfriend with his "knowledge" (the worst kinds), to the kids who's mom brought them because the truly love airpanes, etc... There are plenty of OK folks, but you're much more likely to hear the comments that make you wonder if they're there to see a crash - which to me as a pilot boils my blood. The paid crowds like WOH seem to me to tend to have a greater percentage of the history / heritage minded military friendly folks, or who's dad, grandfather, etc... served somewhere. The biggest local evidence of this to me is the efforts put towards veterans and history at WOH, vs. the increasing dumb (to me) stuff I've seen here in SA at the military bases. Stuff that doesn't necessarily have to do with an "air" show, but jet trucks, carnival type stuff for the kids, etc. I'm not saying that one is better or worse than another from a business standpoint, but I know which one I enjoyed more from a show standpoint last year, thought it was more fun having an aircraft with me here in SA and hanging around talking to the kids. I just wish I could've brought it to WOH.

Ryan

JDK · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:00 pm

Just about anyone can get into a free show - and will.

As it's free, they'll also treat the show (and thus the day) with less respect and expectation - "Hey, it's free!"

As soon as you levy a charge, any charge, people's expectation goes up, and that can count against the show organiser, if the weather goes dud. However you will also remove the mall-rat element.

If you are putting on a show like Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, a high entry price isn't unreasonable - it's for and works for those who are really interested and needs to be more exclusive to work.

Don't knock the funfairs - they keep the uncontrolled families away from the aeroplanes.

Glyn · **Joined:** Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:23 am **Posts:** 321

OK we're all speaking as we find here, which is right and proper - but perhaps someone would like to address my point about the free (or very inexpensive) entry to the French military air displays. I have never seen unruly or disruptive behaviour at one of these. No public car parking is permitted on the base. Cars are parked sometimes miles away from the airfield in well-signed temporary car parks and FREE buses collect and return the passengers. It runs like clockwork!

JDK · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:12 am

'Pure' Modern mil shows aren't my bag, and in France I've only been to la Ferte Alais , so I can't comment directly. My impression of LFA is that there's a fair amount of mum, dad and the kids, and a significant proportion of enthusiasts of all levels.

Maybe the French are just more civilised? Or maybe they don't hold any near the 14th Arrondesment or Marseilles? :lol:

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