Air show recommendation?
Discussion
I'd like to get to an air show this year; something within an hour or so from Milton Keynes which is child friendly. Ideally it would be a mix of old a new stuff and with the Red Arrows doing their thing. A few year ago we went to an air show at Kemble (I think) which was great but I don't know if they still have it?
If you could stretch to 90 minutes travel time you could get to Farnborough on a weekend. The only thing I would say, about all the major shows, is that any travel time estimate will only get you to the back of the queue for the car park. I've found it's usually taken me the best part of another hour to get parked and get in to the show.
If you're taking kids or people who aren't avaition geeks I would pay extra for the Runway Enclosure package. As an example at Farnbough this year it is £25 more than the advance general admission tiicket, but you are centre on the display zone and face on to the Red's axis of approach. They control numbers in the zone so you aren't fighting for elbow / camera lens room with the masses. You also get a seat provided and access to "premium toilets" (which is worth £25 alone towards the end of the day). I appreciate that sticking £100 on the price for the day for a family of four is a big ask but having done airshows with and without this I would pay it every time.
If you're taking kids or people who aren't avaition geeks I would pay extra for the Runway Enclosure package. As an example at Farnbough this year it is £25 more than the advance general admission tiicket, but you are centre on the display zone and face on to the Red's axis of approach. They control numbers in the zone so you aren't fighting for elbow / camera lens room with the masses. You also get a seat provided and access to "premium toilets" (which is worth £25 alone towards the end of the day). I appreciate that sticking £100 on the price for the day for a family of four is a big ask but having done airshows with and without this I would pay it every time.
Collectingbrass said:
If you could stretch to 90 minutes travel time you could get to Farnborough on a weekend. The only thing I would say, about all the major shows, is that any travel time estimate will only get you to the back of the queue for the car park. I've found it's usually taken me the best part of another hour to get parked and get in to the show.
If you're taking kids or people who aren't avaition geeks I would pay extra for the Runway Enclosure package. As an example at Farnbough this year it is £25 more than the advance general admission tiicket, but you are centre on the display zone and face on to the Red's axis of approach. They control numbers in the zone so you aren't fighting for elbow / camera lens room with the masses. You also get a seat provided and access to "premium toilets" (which is worth £25 alone towards the end of the day). I appreciate that sticking £100 on the price for the day for a family of four is a big ask but having done airshows with and without this I would pay it every time.
I'd avoid Farnborough, having visited many shows across the UK as part of a display team and Farnborough is seriously dissapointing, even more so at a weekend and if you're not in an enclosure there is no wear to sit or view the flying really. If you're taking kids or people who aren't avaition geeks I would pay extra for the Runway Enclosure package. As an example at Farnbough this year it is £25 more than the advance general admission tiicket, but you are centre on the display zone and face on to the Red's axis of approach. They control numbers in the zone so you aren't fighting for elbow / camera lens room with the masses. You also get a seat provided and access to "premium toilets" (which is worth £25 alone towards the end of the day). I appreciate that sticking £100 on the price for the day for a family of four is a big ask but having done airshows with and without this I would pay it every time.
The best show I have visited is Bournemouth, although further than you would like.
ecsrobin said:
I'd avoid Farnborough, having visited many shows across the UK as part of a display team and Farnborough is seriously disappointing, even more so at a weekend and if you're not in an enclosure there is no wear to sit or view the flying really.
The best show I have visited is Bournemouth, although further than you would like.
I agree, Farnborough is the equivalent of going to a wedding show, as opposed to going to a wedding...The best show I have visited is Bournemouth, although further than you would like.
Although I'm biased as a local, make a weekend of it, camp in the forest & train in, for example. Closer to home, http://www.shuttleworth.org/events/seasonpremiere/ - no Arrows, but a good show for the family.
Pints said:
RIAT
Not too far from Kemble (a bit closer to MK too). Every year is fantastic.
Particularly now! Not too far from Kemble (a bit closer to MK too). Every year is fantastic.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-lockheed-fighter-...
Another vote for a display at Old Warden by the Shuttleworth Collection. It is really close if you live near Milton Keynes, just west of Biggleswade/Sandy.
The shows are professionally run with some of the finest pilots in the business displaying priceless aircraft in a sympathetic but exciting way. They fly all types of aircraft from the oldest British-built aircraft still flying, though WW1, inter-war, WW2 and post WW2 military and civilian types. In addition you can get really close to the aircraft that are lined up on the grass before the display and the crowd line is all the way along the main runway. They often have visiting aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and as Duxford is just a short hop away its a good chance to see some of the Duxford-based WW2 fighters up close and personal.
If you want to take pictures, the flying aircraft are close enough so you don't need a hugely expensive camera and the aircraft on the ground are perfect for taking shots with an iPhone (or similar).
I've been going on and off for a number of years and was bought a "season ticket" to all the displays last year as a birthday present.
The season opener is on 8th May if you pre-book online it costs £22.50 per adult and up to four children under age 16 per adult can get in for free.
The shows are professionally run with some of the finest pilots in the business displaying priceless aircraft in a sympathetic but exciting way. They fly all types of aircraft from the oldest British-built aircraft still flying, though WW1, inter-war, WW2 and post WW2 military and civilian types. In addition you can get really close to the aircraft that are lined up on the grass before the display and the crowd line is all the way along the main runway. They often have visiting aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and as Duxford is just a short hop away its a good chance to see some of the Duxford-based WW2 fighters up close and personal.
If you want to take pictures, the flying aircraft are close enough so you don't need a hugely expensive camera and the aircraft on the ground are perfect for taking shots with an iPhone (or similar).
I've been going on and off for a number of years and was bought a "season ticket" to all the displays last year as a birthday present.
The season opener is on 8th May if you pre-book online it costs £22.50 per adult and up to four children under age 16 per adult can get in for free.
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