Airshow for my son

[skinnyman]

Howdy all,

My son is almost 5, and I'd like to take him to an airshow this year. Looked at the obvious choice, Farnborough, but are there any others we should consider, preferably around the Midlands area?

[Yertis]

RIAT, if you can still get tickets.

[checks]

Yes you can. But get the lad some ear defenders.

[ecsrobin]

It has to be RIAT especially as it’s the 100th anniversary of the RAF.

[kurt535]

Old Warden cos the flight line is still close to the audience.

Bicester Heritage event in June as theres lots going on car wise as well

Obviously neither Midlands but worth an overnight stay for.

[Herkybird]

Cosford would be a good one.

[Riley Blue]

If he likes fast, noisy jets, RIAT would be my suggestion. If he likes older aircraft, I'd take him to Bicester or Old Warden; Old Warden has aircraft dating back to 1904.

[Lurking Lawyer]

Herkybird said:

Cosford would be a good one.

I agree, and it was going to be my suggestion. It's generally a good flying display and there's always the RAF Museum as well as the airshow's static display.

It's on 10th June this year.

[ecsrobin]

Lurking Lawyer said:

Herkybird said:

Cosford would be a good one.

I agree, and it was going to be my suggestion. It's generally a good flying display and there's always the RAF Museum as well as the airshow's static display.

It's on 10th June this year.

Cosford was always the show that I didn’t enjoy working, it has the feel of a car boot sale.

[WilliamWoollard]

We've taken my son here the last couple of years. https://www.fairfordairshowcamping.net/index

It's a great way to see the planes as they fly directly over your tent, and he can run around without fear of getting lost in the crowds that you will have in RIAT proper. Cheaper than actually going into the airshow and I would say an overall better experience for his first airshow.

[aeropilot]

skinnyman said:

Howdy all,

My son is almost 5, and I'd like to take him to an airshow this year. Looked at the obvious choice, Farnborough, but are there any others we should consider, preferably around the Midlands area?

Cosford

[captain_cynic]

Yertis said:

RIAT, if you can still get tickets.

[checks]

Yes you can. But get the lad some ear defenders.

And some sunscreen, I was at the last F'Bro air show... By the time the Apache's had shown up the number of English who'd become red as a beetroot were astounding (and it was an overcast day, clouds offer little protection). Sunscreen has a 4 hour maximum, so don't forget to re-apply.

BTW, thinking of going to RIAT, which day would be better, Friday or Sunday (Sat is sold out).

[aeropilot]

captain_cynic said:

BTW, thinking of going to RIAT, which day would be better, Friday or Sunday (Sat is sold out).

Friday this year gets the RAF 100th flypast IIRC, plus a full flying day, so I'd pick Friday.

[Yertis]

captain_cynic said:

BTW, thinking of going to RIAT, which day would be better, Friday or Sunday (Sat is sold out).

Saturday hasn't sold out – you can still get full price tickets, and kids go free

[DrDeAtH]

Cold War jets day at Bruntingthorpe. It's mainly fast taxy with some static display.

[Trevatanus]

Another vote for RIAT.
I have a feeling that this years will be an airshow that will be truly memorable.

[Eric Mc]

I'm a bit wary that an airshow that appeals to aircraft nuts like us may not be what appeals to a 5 year old. I have lots of reservations about the Farnborough show BUT it is more than an air display. There are lots of "non-aeroplane" items on display. This is especially true if you can go on the Friday and access the display halls.

A young child might be more impressed by big jet engines or spacecraft or Mars rovers than aeroplanes. You don't get stuff like that at "ordinary" air shows. The Friday at Farnborough is actually geared very much for youngsters - although more the 8 to 18 age bracket.

[Yertis]

Eric Mc said:

I'm a bit wary that an airshow that appeals to aircraft nuts like us may not be what appeals to a 5 year old. I have lots of reservations about the Farnborough show BUT it is more than an air display. There are lots of "non-aeroplane" items on display. This is especially true if you can go on the Friday and access the display halls.

A young child might be more impressed by big jet engines or spacecraft or Mars rovers than aeroplanes. You don't get stuff like that at "ordinary" air shows. The Friday at Farnborough is actually geared very much for youngsters - although more the 8 to 18 age bracket.

Have you recently looked at the RIAT ground attractions though? I think they'd be more engaging to nippers than aircraft components and weird tin boxes with bits sticking out.

[ecsrobin]

Yertis said:

Eric Mc said:

I'm a bit wary that an airshow that appeals to aircraft nuts like us may not be what appeals to a 5 year old. I have lots of reservations about the Farnborough show BUT it is more than an air display. There are lots of "non-aeroplane" items on display. This is especially true if you can go on the Friday and access the display halls.

A young child might be more impressed by big jet engines or spacecraft or Mars rovers than aeroplanes. You don't get stuff like that at "ordinary" air shows. The Friday at Farnborough is actually geared very much for youngsters - although more the 8 to 18 age bracket.

Have you recently looked at the RIAT ground attractions though? I think they'd be more engaging to nippers than aircraft components and weird tin boxes with bits sticking out.

Agreed RIAT is very much geared up for children always the most freebies as well.

[Eric Mc]

I gave up on RIAT once the bouncy castles took over.

[ecsrobin]

Eric Mc said:

I gave up on RIAT once the bouncy castles took over.

The last time I was at Farnborough I’m pretty sure there was a funfair....