Originally Posted by
NutLoose
Yes I can see both sides of the reasons, but at Shoreham those killed were outside of the airfield, those attending purchased tickets that state you accept the risk involved in the small print on the tickets, so throwing the display lines further away from the crowd means aircraft are in effect displaying off the field and that is in direct conflict with those that have not purchased a ticket so haven't accepted the risk and are trying to get a cheap day out. Yes I know they have areas they now classify as built up areas that make it nigh on impossible to hold shows at some events, hence the demise of events, we will eventually end up with those over the Sea and the likes of Cosford and RIAT, the rest will go partly due to fuel and insurance costs.
Now I know crashes happen, they do in all walks of life, but airshow wise the only ones I can think of that involved the crowd are few and far between, in fact positively rare in the UK
The reason that Shoreham changed everything was due to the public outcry* regarding multiple deaths. This* was quite in order especially as the airshow/display world was SUPPOSED to be subject to 'reasonable control' to prevent such disasters. However as we all know if the checking rules themselves are not adhered to then issues WILL OCCUR. Notwithstanding that a dreadful error/errors was the major factor, the whole system was found 'wanting' yet the system itself is still in denial mainly because the system investigated itself. There were several missed opportunities to prevent the unfolding tragedy which shows that all the rules in the world only work if the 'system' is sound and 'self checks'. Ultimately Airshow flying is down to those who perform, and there is a
cogent responsibility that goes with the task of being involved.