flyingheritage wrote:
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
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