Avalon Airshow 2009 Australia... attending aircraft??

[JägerMarty]

Just wondering if anyone knows which warbirds are attending?
cheers

[flyingheritage]

Insider tip....

The aircraft that appeared in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 line up never change and 2009 is no difference.

Major aircraft are pulling out, warbirds arent welcomed or wanted much by Avalon.. many major aussie warbirds got shafted years ago by the mob who run avalon and these warbird owners have never come back... and most likely never will.

In 2003 and 05 i saw hardly bugger all warbirds.. and wondered why when Victoria has so many why so many avoided the show.

The photo static line up is very bad too.

The price for tickets are now $50! about the highest ever for an airshow in oz... approaching the sickening prices of the UK...i paid $30 last time i went or something that was reasonable.
Now were in recession $50 is a serious cost for anyone.

2009 is my last ever Avalon as the Caribou and F-111 will never be seen again.. with these 2 classics gone .. Avalon holds nothing more than a waste of money.
When the Russians used to come - now that was when Avalon was good. Long time past tho.

Also my money is on the crowd line speakers and stands to be there again and ruining EVERYONES photo...

[JägerMarty]

Yeah I know mate, it's fuct usually IMO.
Will only go if I can get free tix, was hoping there may be an improvement, LOL

[flyingheritage]

Your asking for ALOT for a major improvement haahhaha .....thats over the top. Maybe rain is better request and more realisitic.

Shame we cant have Richmond 88 back - now that was the best airshow in anyone lifetime for it had excellent planning and aircraft galore - admit it was govt funded and Raaf based etc.. but still Avalon should do better.

Other airshows around the world can...so why do we ACCEPT such poor show at Avalon.

Must highlight the weather is horrible at Avalon every year.

2001 i got severe sunburn on what was a cool day forecasted.

2005 i think had strong winds and dirt and rain flying around.

WONDER what does next weekend bring?

[Mark_Pilkington]

Shame we cant have Richmond 88 back - now that was the best airshow in anyone lifetime for it had excellent planning and aircraft galore - admit it was govt funded and Raaf based etc.. but still Avalon should do better.

Other airshows around the world can...so why do we ACCEPT such poor show at Avalon.

Avalon was founded by the same team who ran Richmond 88, so the same planning etc skills were there and I suspect remain, and I think their planning and organisation skills are fine, its the quality and variety of the ground and air displays that are deteriorating in my mind and they may not be fully able to control that.


Richmond 88 was an Australian Bi-Centenial project, with probably far more than 2 years planning, and the first major airshow in Australia for many many years encouraging lots of attendances both in the air and on the ground.

Avalon is now a 2 year event, it imports commercial display acts (which Richmond 88 did not) and is attached to a Military/Commercial trade show symposium that Richmod was not. In fact the Victorian State Government funding for the Avalon Airshow is all about supporting the local aerospace manufacturing industry not putting on a spectacule.

In the early years of Avalon there was a significant Russian presence not to display to the public but to market their products at the Miltary/Commercial trade show, Similarly Western European and US manufacturers did the same. However those "demonstrators" have become virtually non-existant in following years compared to the early years, and I would assume thats because no sales were derived from the visits? The reality is Air Forces and Airlines looking for new technology have many worldwide Airshows etc to attend, and Avalon is one well off the beaten track and long distance to attend.

In terms of the Public Display the Avalon Airshow has resorted to a mix of Defence demonstrations and paid entertainers, with a small sprinkling of antique and warbird fly-bys, the problem I think is that those are now very predictable and boring due to simply re-cycling from the previous 2 year display.

I live across the road from Avalon, and have been to each event, for private and other reasons. In recent years I have gone for a number of specific items and this year it is primarily to see the F-111 Dump and burn for a final time, (both at night on Friday night, and during the day on Saturday or Sunday).

Were the Avalon Airshow held bi-annually interstate, instead of across the road, I would have ceased going many years ago, and perhaps would only be going this year for that same reason above.

The Victorian Government funds a number of major events in the State F1 Grand Prix, Avalon Airshow, and those plus the Melbourne Cup, AFL Grand Final are important tourism/hospitality industry events to swell the States' GDP.

The F1 has been loosing visitors in recent times as prices went up and ancillory attractions such as the V8 races were lost, reducing the income days to the F1 itself, this year the Celebrity Car race has been cancelled as no sponsor is willing to donate cars to be bashed to death for TV Celebs etc who cant drive!

I suspect the Avalon Airshow will have poorer attendances this year, interesting the 5 day Trade Show is now $50 for industry participants without a direct invite, and the same price for the General Public days on the Friday nite, and weekend - Its a strange move in the economic crisis and recessionary period Australia has just entered.

Unlike the F1, the Avalon Airshow in past years has only received positive media and general public comments, its really only the Enthusiasts to date who have been dissappointed. However if the prices cause the General Public not to attend there will be a financial loss and reduced Tourism/Hospitality impact which will draw comparisions to the F1.

Interestingly at the last Airshow I was liaising with the stand of one of Victoria's Major manufacturers, who indicated their attendance was only last minute, and at the strong request of the Victorian Government, (as they saw no benefit in being there either), so even the industry may not see a great value in the Trade Show?

Regards

Mark Pilkington

Last edited by Mark_Pilkington on Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

[JägerMarty]

Anything happeneing down at Tyabb soon then? always enjoy a trip down there

Have see enough F111 dump burns to last me a lifetime

[shelldrake]

Well, I have been advised from a very good source that if you are going to attend any Airshow this year in Australia, you need to make sure you get to Echuca for the ANZAC weekend. The Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia (AAAA) www.antique-aeroplane.com.au is holding its annual flyin there except this year there is a slight difference. 2009 is the 70th anniversary for the Wirraway and I understand that Mathew Grigg (?) and others have successfully arranged for all flying Wirraway's in Australia t attend this weekend event. Now considering we have Wirraways in Qld, SA, NSW and Vic I would say that is a great achievement. But it gets better. Included in the line up will be Mustang, Spitfire, Kittyhawk, Trojan, Harvard and, at least 1 Boomerang. Gossip around the retired flyers village is that this may also be the first appearance for a second airworthy Boomerang (that is just a rumour). So I would encourage all Warbird enthusiasts to get to Echuca for that weekend. I reckon it could be the biggest Australian Warbird event for 2009.

Shelldrake

[JägerMarty]

Nice one, will keep an eye on this one

[shelldrake]

Well if you're a CAC fan you need to get there, except for the sabre I think most types will be represented there.


Shelldrake

[JDK]

Avalon - coasting management, lack of effort or creativity, using the excuses (some reasonable) Mark's pointed out. (Failing to get the A380 and 707 of Qantas there last show was an indication of the 'we can't be arsed'.) I wouldn't be surprised (or particularly devastated) if it were the last.

Tyabb - maybe a show in 2010.

The Antiquers - second Shelldrake's comments without the detail - last show there was a good one and that was much more informal.

Don't forget Temora do put on an excellent show every six weeks or so with the 'home team' and make a great effort and pull political strings to get a good variety of guest acts. Don't take it for granted.

Also, across the Tasman is the Easter Omaka show - if you've not been, go.

Last edited by JDK on Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Have see enough F111 dump burns to last me a lifetime

I'll second that

[JDK]

Have see enough F111 dump burns to last me a lifetime

I'll second that

Well you won't have to 'put up with them' much longer, and it will have to last you a lifetime.

Still, good way to see your tax dollars at work.

JDK

Ask the SAS blokes with a zero pay packet about their hard earned tax dollar at work .....

[Mark_Pilkington]

Avalon - coasting management, lack of effort or creativity, using the excuses (some reasonable) Mark's pointed out. (Failing to get the A380 and 707 of Qantas there last show was an indication of the 'we can't be arsed'.) I wouldn't be surprised (or particularly devastated) if it were the last.

Obviously you can only display what people are willing to bring, but it is surprising the 707 didnt attend, or the A380 both from a Qantas marketing exercise, particularly surprising at the time since both Boeing and Qantas were seriously contemplating flying the 707 to Seattle for the new model release by Boeing, but had second thoughts at what the Australian Government reaction may have been after spending $1M of taxpayers money to bring it back to Australia had it become stranded in the US for some reason.

I think the economic crisis will see the opposition, media and general public put more pressure on the Victorian Government over the cost of the F1 this year if it has falling attendances and a greater financial loss, and there is risk of the same attitude to Avalon developing too.

As I am across the road, the $50 entry fee favourably equates to petrol and accomodation to go to an interstate airshow, and despite seeing the F111 dump and burn previously it is a spectacular display, particularly at night, and I think its worth seeing one last time.

However I can sympathise with the attitudes above, having seen the Roulettes on numerous times I have always used their closing routines at airshows to make an early run for the carpark - smiles.

(not in anyway critising the skills and entertainment the Roulettes provide to the general public, and important role they play in memorial flyovers etc)

Regards

Mark Pilkington

[flyingheritage]

darn Mark you beat me to it - everyone flees airshows when the "Borelettes" get airborne..... as everyone knows - tis time to knock off and get going.. and get caught in the car park queues as such.

I feel that Roulettes are not as much as fun without their MB-326 Macchis jet nowdays.

They has noise and speed then .. and the PC-9 just havent for me since they were selected caught my attention.. hence everytime i see them -- only thing i can think off is very quiet/boring.

I know jets displays wont be making a comeback due to costs and safety issues .. but surely its a worthweile idea in future..if the govt/raaf can afford new F-35 and Collins subs repalcements ...a small allocation to 7 jet for display teams of i guess bae hawks would do wonders...

Have a Blue and White Hawk paint scheme could make a nice colour team showcase.. We dont need anymore red.