Are UK Airshows coming to an end.

[Jimbuna]

Most worrying times in store for those of us in the UK who like to frequent airshows? :hmmm:

The suspension of the RAF Waddington international air show has led to a full review of the Ministry of Defence's commitment to all shows.

Essential work to the Lincolnshire base means next year's event has been cancelled while RAF Leuchars, in Scotland, has moved to Lossiemouth.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed it is rethinking its role in national air shows and displays around the world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28226410

[Aktungbby]

A short lived concept I'll wager. We did the same here in 2013: sequester concerns- they're back again. From a 2013 article:
"The U.S. Navy on Tuesday announced it was canceling all the air shows its Blue Angels (http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/) Flight Demonstration Squadron had scheduled for the rest of the year. The Navy action follows the Air Force's April 1 announcement that its Thunderbirds team (http://www.afthunderbirds.com/site/) would not perform again this year.
"Recognizing budget realities, current Defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government," said a statement Tuesday from the office of the Commander Naval Air Forces in San Diego. "This is one of many steps the Navy is taking to ensure resources are in place to support forces operating forward now and those training to relieve them."

[TarJak]

Would be a shame to see the end of airshows anywhere. Let's hope you don't lose them.

[Oberon]

They'd be shooting themselves in the foot in terms of prestige and arms sales....but, the MoD specialises in foot targeting... :/\\!!

[Herr-Berbunch]

I don't see why it's not moved to Scampton for next year. Other runway-hosting airshows have been moved for resurfacing temporarily over the years. And moving Leuchars to Lossie is just ridiculous.

TBH most UK airshows have very little arms-industry sales off the back of them, except Farnborough which is basically an sales pitch with an airshow at the weekend.

[Jimbuna]

What worries me is...

While the number of Red Arrows displays is reviewed, the Prime Minister David Cameron has previously guaranteed their future.

That may well turn out to be his fallback position.

[Oberon]

What worries me is...



That may well turn out to be his fallback position.

I doubt very much the Arrows will be axed, but they probably will have their flying hours cut, sadly.

It's incredibly stupid and short sighted, but also, sadly, rather likely.

[Jimbuna]

I doubt very much the Arrows will be axed, but they probably will have their flying hours cut, sadly.

It's incredibly stupid and short sighted, but also, sadly, rather likely.

Rgr that...we should change our namr to Not So Great Britain to reflect the state we are in.

[Oberon]

Rgr that...we should change our namr to Not So Great Britain to reflect the state we are in.

Mediocre Britain?

Still, could be worse, could be a lot worse.

[Garion]

MMmm let me see......... The missus and I just watched a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane fly low over oor hoose. Got a wing-waggle too :woot:

Cheers

gary

[Jimbuna]

MMmm let me see......... The missus and I just watched a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane fly low over oor hoose. Got a wing-waggle too :woot:

Cheers

gary

BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

The Red Arrows have just flown over my house on their way back to Newcastle Airport.

[Garion]

BBMF (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

The Red Arrows have just flown over my house on their way back to Newcastle Airport.

I do wish that I had remembered that the Airshow was today, it played havoc with my hangover :arrgh!:

Cheers

gary

[Catfish]

Rgr that...we should change our namr to Not So Great Britain to reflect the state we are in.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIJt9LYbtBs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/littlebritain/

:O:


Ok back on topic:

I do not think a public airshow says anything about a nation's real ability to attack or defend. Of course when it comes to "prestige" or trying to impress... is ths really important today ?

[TarJak]

Mediocre Britain?

Still, could be worse, could be a lot worse.

Really crappy Britain?

[swamprat69er]

I think that if the safety factor isn't improved we will see the end of airshows in both the UK and North America.
http://youtu.be/UkJ5P8-IvfU

http://youtu.be/GPGLnEVWkiE

[Jimbuna]

Never been to an airshow that suffered a fatal accident but we've certainly had our share here in the UK....Farnborough springs immediately to mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqnkn57Pf7M

[Aktungbby]

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2224996#post2224996 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2224996#post2224996) Perhaps we could combine threads here!?

[Herr-Berbunch]

Having been to Cleethorpes airshow today I think the future of airshows is along the seafront lines, such as Sunderland, Southend, etc.,

All the military need to do is send a couple of people to represent their respective units (give kids and pretty women zaps! I know, I've done it.) . Get the aircraft airborne and recovered - small additional cost for this but very little in comparison to full show. No need for months and months of planning, no manpower issues, no security issues or costs, no local emergency services to pay for... Joe Public still gets to see the aircraft flying, just no static line up.

This, unfortunately, is the future, at least in the UK. The benefits are they're usually free to attend, downside is no close-up stuff, and they become a benign same-old same-old the length and breadth of the country.

[Jimbuna]

Having been to Cleethorpes airshow today I think the future of airshows is along the seafront lines, such as Sunderland, Southend, etc.,

All the military need to do is send a couple of people to represent their respective units (give kids and pretty women zaps! I know, I've done it.) . Get the aircraft airborne and recovered - small additional cost for this but very little in comparison to full show. No need for months and months of planning, no manpower issues, no security issues or costs, no local emergency services to pay for... Joe Public still gets to see the aircraft flying, just no static line up.

This, unfortunately, is the future, at least in the UK. The benefits are they're usually free to attend, downside is no close-up stuff, and they become a benign same-old same-old the length and breadth of the country.

Agreed, nothing beats seeing em in flight....apart from (possibly) being up close and personal in a static line-up.