Southend Air Show may 2005

[HZ123]

Does anyone know who actually runs the said event, which I have attended for a number of years and provides good entertainment either at SEN or the sea front. Does anyone know why other than finance the sea front has never been (or at least for many years) graced by a fly past of UK airlines aircraft such as an A330 (BMI) B777 (BA) I intend no offence to the many others in the UK. Other air shows especially EU / USA often witness a fly past by pax jets. Anu views on this ?

[niknak]

The usual reason that civilian operators don't take part in such displays is

1) Operational availability on the day - an aircraft doing an air display could be making significantly more money on a proper revenue flight.

2) Having sufficient crew who are experienced and authorised in display flying for that particular aircraft (a UK CAA requirement).

3) Insurance - for the most part, it's very unlikely that the normal insurance cover for any such aircraft would be valid for it to take part in any kind of air display, even if it was just a fly past.

4) Even if the above was covered, unless they're going to get a proportional return in publicity, I would imagine that any operator would want to at least cover their entire operating costs on the day, something which most airshow organisers couldn't afford to do.

There are probably other reasons as well, but others can chip in with those.

[Evil J]

It must be do-able as Rolls Royce managed to get an SAA 747, a DHL 757 and bmi Fk100 to do a display at the Donington show last summer.

[HZ123]

My point exactly evilJ a 747 / 777 or even a dash 8 would look good alongthe seafront as did last years Nimrod performance.

[DarkStar]

HZ123, I don't think you'll get BA turning up at the airshow, unless we get guarenteed publicity, but again there's always the chance that Cabin Crew might say they were stressed by such a low pass and then demand several days off to recover:)

[southender]

The Airshow is actually organised by Southend Council with sponsorship from major local organisations, recently the Westcliff Casino and c2c railways.

I seem to remember in the distant past when the Airshow was in its infancy that we did have the odd commercial airliner do a couple of flybys, a British World Bae146 springs to mind. On another occasion I think we even had a Concorde flypast.

However, if it seems that this is no longer practical how about arranging for some of the vintage airliners in Europe to make an appearance. There are some beautiful rare propliners that would grace Southend's seafront, for example the Dutch DC2, the Hungarian LI2, the Jersey Heron or the magnificent Red Bull DC6.
There are enough DC3s around to stage a formation flypast followed by a stream landing at SEN.

Well I can dream anyway!

I expect we shall see the same again this year - Wing walking, Extra aerobatics, BBMF, Red Arrows, Lynx, Harrier, etc, etc. Not that I am knocking the airshow - it is a splendidly organised free day out and I go every year, but it's time for a few surprises.

By the way, I think it is better at the Airport than the seafront as most performing aircraft take off and land back there.

Cheers

Southender

[Three Blades]

Big jets at airshows can be pretty impressive.
At the Goodwood festival of Speed a couple of years back, a Virgin 747 did a few low level flybys. Great sight to see it level with the downs.

[HZ123]

Perhaps someone needs to tell C2C and Westcliffe Casinos of our requirements.

[Barnaby the Bear]

Isn't there a B757 and the Typhoon (Euro-fighter) at the Southend show this year?:}

[fj1]

IIRC,

This year theres a DHL 757 AND a Scot Air 328.

[Mr Angry from Purley]

DHL Air are also displaying at Cosford Air Show / Sunderland Air Show / Fairford (i think) and Biggin Hill.
:\

[Barnaby the Bear]

Had a couple of days off, went to Southend. .Traffic bloody awful. Don't know much about the mil stuff, but that Typhoon is bloody impressive!
If anyone goe's tomorrow, try the airport. The seafront was hell to get near. :8

[Tiger]

Darkstar, whilst my comments have little to do with the Southend Air Show (although my claim to fame was living there for a few months :hmm: ) why oh why do you have a pop at BA cabin crew at every chance? I read the forum and somewhere your name pops up and ooops lets have a dig at BA crews. Give it rest matey, your getting :hmm: :bored:

[HZ123]

It was a fine show apart from the weather on the second day. Scott Air, DHL did well and the Eurofighter was impressive.

[G-KEST]

Although the show is put on by the local council the Flying display Director is Ray Thilthorpe, an ex-manager of the Red Arrows. He has been doing the job now for umpteen years and knows what the public want to see extremely well. Service participation is always the major part of the programme along with proven crowd pleasers. Remember only around 5% of the audience are aviation enthusiasts, the other 95% just want an entertaining day out. The local economy benefits hugely from the event which is why the council foots the bill.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
:ok:

[HZ123]

Cannot accept your last the rate payer picks up the bill, as one there and I am sure many would agree we get jack s--- out of it apart from hordes descending and the arcades creaming off a fortune. Many of the hordes you would not want coming to your town anytime or anyone elses come to that.