Farnborough Air Show 2016
Discussion
Eric,
I believe they are moving the air display area westwards. It used to be at the east end of the runway, meaning you could sit in the costco car park and have the Red's synchro pair be right above you. Post Shoreham I think this is thought 'not a good thing'.
So plans I've seen (tweeted by the farnborough spotters) shows the display area now being the west end of the runway, and above the Quinetiq (spelling!) site and the secret squirrel area there. Hence the closing of the A323/fleet road during the flying and supposedly stopping people watching from the heathland just to the west of A323.
I guess they will be moving the location of some of the chalets etc to reflect this.
I believe they are moving the air display area westwards. It used to be at the east end of the runway, meaning you could sit in the costco car park and have the Red's synchro pair be right above you. Post Shoreham I think this is thought 'not a good thing'.
So plans I've seen (tweeted by the farnborough spotters) shows the display area now being the west end of the runway, and above the Quinetiq (spelling!) site and the secret squirrel area there. Hence the closing of the A323/fleet road during the flying and supposedly stopping people watching from the heathland just to the west of A323.
I guess they will be moving the location of some of the chalets etc to reflect this.
Guvernator said:
Considering going this year but a have never been before so have a few questions.
1) Is traffic\parking a nightmare and if not, where's the best place to leave the car?
2) If yes to above would we be better going by train?
3) Is it worth staying overnight or can you see most things and get in and out in one day?
4) Where are the best viewing spots, I have a young daughter so ideally I'd like to stay away from the massive crowds.
1, I lived in Odiham for the last airshow a few minutes drive away, I knew all the rat runs and still had to sit in traffic for over an hour I should have taken the bike but we had a few of us going. 1) Is traffic\parking a nightmare and if not, where's the best place to leave the car?
2) If yes to above would we be better going by train?
3) Is it worth staying overnight or can you see most things and get in and out in one day?
4) Where are the best viewing spots, I have a young daughter so ideally I'd like to stay away from the massive crowds.
2, don't know
3, if going on the weekend most of the exhibition halls will be closed so easily done in a morning.
4, viewing is awful at Farnborough you find yourself just standing in random positions, there is nowhere really to sit down for the day and campout.
I've worked many airshows across the UK as part of a display team and I can honestly say Farnborough was the biggest disappointment going. I had more fun going to the pub at the end of the runway during the approval week having some lunch and watching aircraft land overhead.
ecsrobin said:
1, I lived in Odiham for the last airshow a few minutes drive away, I knew all the rat runs and still had to sit in traffic for over an hour I should have taken the bike but we had a few of us going.
2, don't know
3, if going on the weekend most of the exhibition halls will be closed so easily done in a morning.
4, viewing is awful at Farnborough you find yourself just standing in random positions, there is nowhere really to sit down for the day and campout.
I've worked many airshows across the UK as part of a display team and I can honestly say Farnborough was the biggest disappointment going. I had more fun going to the pub at the end of the runway during the approval week having some lunch and watching aircraft land overhead.
Thanks that's a bit disappointing, with a younger daughter I was hoping to throw down the blanket and camp-out\picnic while watching\listening to planes flying overhead. Sounds like this might be a no-goer.2, don't know
3, if going on the weekend most of the exhibition halls will be closed so easily done in a morning.
4, viewing is awful at Farnborough you find yourself just standing in random positions, there is nowhere really to sit down for the day and campout.
I've worked many airshows across the UK as part of a display team and I can honestly say Farnborough was the biggest disappointment going. I had more fun going to the pub at the end of the runway during the approval week having some lunch and watching aircraft land overhead.
Don't be put off too much. There are spots in the public area where you can do just that. I've sat on many a blanket at Farnborough and watched the displays. The further to the left along the crowd line you go the better chance you have of having a fairly unobstructed view.
These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Eric Mc said:
Don't be put off too much. There are spots in the public area where you can do just that. I've sat on many a blanket at Farnborough and watched the displays. The further to the left along the crowd line you go the better chance you have of having a fairly unobstructed view.
These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Aha that looks pretty good actually. I just didn't want to be stuck in the middle of a heaving crowd, stood up and still not seeing anything. Thanks Eric, looks like it might be back on. These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Do all the planes display on both days or is it pot luck as to which you see on what day?
Guvernator said:
Eric Mc said:
Don't be put off too much. There are spots in the public area where you can do just that. I've sat on many a blanket at Farnborough and watched the displays. The further to the left along the crowd line you go the better chance you have of having a fairly unobstructed view.
These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Aha that looks pretty good actually. I just didn't want to be stuck in the middle of a heaving crowd, stood up and still not seeing anything. Thanks Eric, looks like it might be back on. These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Do all the planes display on both days or is it pot luck as to which you see on what day?
Trevatanus said:
Not "pot luck", but not everything displays every day. For example, in previous years, some historic aircraft have tended to display at the weekends, rather than every day.
That's the other confusing thing, people keep talking about the weekday but when I go to the official website it only has tickets for the weekend and seems to indicate that's when the flying displays are on. Am I missing something as I'd rather miss a day off work and go during the week if the planes are flying and it's going to be less crowded.Guvernator said:
Trevatanus said:
Not "pot luck", but not everything displays every day. For example, in previous years, some historic aircraft have tended to display at the weekends, rather than every day.
That's the other confusing thing, people keep talking about the weekday but when I go to the official website it only has tickets for the weekend and seems to indicate that's when the flying displays are on. Am I missing something as I'd rather miss a day off work and go during the week if the planes are flying and it's going to be less crowded.It used to be a case that you could only buy tickets if were "Joe Public" for Saturday / Sunday. Not sure if this is still the case though.
The show is not like an average air show. As Trev says, it is first and foremost a trade show. The displays during the week are primarily of aircraft that are part of the trade display and which manufacturers are trying to flog. The trade days run from Monday to Friday inclusive. The general public is not admitted on those days except on Friday they have a special education day for schools and other educational institutions,. The public CAN buy tickets for the Friday even though it is not an official public day. The large display halls (they are huge) are only open Monday to Friday.
On the the public days (Saturday and Sunday), the flying display is a bit different. Some of the stuff that was flying on the trade days will not be flying. Indeed, some may already have gone home. However, the flying display is longer on Saturday and Sunday because aircraft of a more historic nature will be added to the list.
Don't forget the static display. My favourite part of the airshow these days is chatting to the people who are manning the aircraft in the static line up. I even got invited on board a Percival Pembroke last time.
On the the public days (Saturday and Sunday), the flying display is a bit different. Some of the stuff that was flying on the trade days will not be flying. Indeed, some may already have gone home. However, the flying display is longer on Saturday and Sunday because aircraft of a more historic nature will be added to the list.
Don't forget the static display. My favourite part of the airshow these days is chatting to the people who are manning the aircraft in the static line up. I even got invited on board a Percival Pembroke last time.
Guvernator said:
Eric Mc said:
Don't be put off too much. There are spots in the public area where you can do just that. I've sat on many a blanket at Farnborough and watched the displays. The further to the left along the crowd line you go the better chance you have of having a fairly unobstructed view.
These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Aha that looks pretty good actually. I just didn't want to be stuck in the middle of a heaving crowd, stood up and still not seeing anything. Thanks Eric, looks like it might be back on. These video shots are pretty poor. They were taken by me way back in 1992 but they do show the view you can get if you are willing to walk down towards the end of the crowd line. It hasn't changed from that point of view over the years as I've stood more or less in the same spot quite a few times since. What you can see, I hope, is that the ground slopes down towards the runway so you are above the head line of the people standing in front of you.
The original footage is much better, it's just the software I was using to upload to my computer has produced a rotten copy. I'll see if I can do something better with the originals later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpZEW8FhBI
Do all the planes display on both days or is it pot luck as to which you see on what day?
Eric Mc said:
Who knows. It will be new for everybody.
This may help a little.http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=16...
Trevatanus said:
Eric Mc said:
Who knows. It will be new for everybody.
This may help a little.http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=16...
Screw 'em to be honest. They've been hankering after restricting free viewing outside the perimeter for years, now Shoreham has given them the ideal excuse for a bit of "revenue protection" action.
Hopefully they'll not be able to close down all the little 'secret' viewing areas which are near housing, etc. At least if they do we'll KNOW that the safety argument is a spurious one. It'll be interesting to see where the extra resources come from to 'police' these extra restrictions too. Up until now, there've been narrowboats moored directly under the end of the runway. To be honest I'm tired of the Farnborough show. Take it away, either to Fairford or to Boscombe Down, somewhere with less of a population in the surrounding area. Fleet, Farnborough, and Aldershot have grown beyond all recognition since the airshow's heyday and whilst I'd miss it a wee bit, I don't think it's an ideal location for such a show any more.
Eric Mc said:
There are definitely going to be restrictions on where spectators can stand outside the airfield. The canal path on the Basingstoke Csanal at the end of the runway will be a no-go zone and it seems some of the perimeter roads will also be closed to standing spectators.
You got any further info on that Eric? I see they've fenced off the hill the other side of the road & canal recently, where a lot of people used to spectate from, and there's usually a fair few people on the tow path by the bridge to the AAIB, last time there were several narrow boats moored up there too. I tend to go in one day and watch from outside somewhere another day.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff