The drawcard.....
Having worked at a number of western airshows that have included the Russian Fighters, or even at the Australian RAAF Richmond Airshow back in the late 80's which featured an AN124, it is a fact that they are always the ultimate draw card for the show organizers. Apart from the western intrigue with the eastern block machines, the displays are never anything less than unbelievable (which is why the An124 is mentioned earlier, he left the most experienced display pilot gobsmacked by his routine...costing him a grounding on the first public day!).
With this in mind, the concept that " this would never have happened at a UK, US or similar western airshow" is unfortunately a very misguided understanding of what really happens. It is a fact that the west have very strict procedures including display line displacement, no turning manoevers towards the crowd below X height, straight and level passes not below X height etc., however these are regularly broken and I am sure for the average enthusiast monitering or contributing to this thread that video or photographic evidence is available to prove this. An example is the SU27 at one of the early Avalon airshows who consistantly conducted passes and breaks down the runway at 50 or so feet...fact! This was in violation of the airshow performance guidlines but who would stop the star of the show......especially when as a start up airshow organization Airshows Downunder needed every dollar they could get from the "ice cream lickers".
My main point is that even with the best rules and regs there will be accidents and breaches of safety. These breaches may be accidental, some examples; pressure from authorities on display timings, aircraft mechanical failure, adverse weather or the unthinkable, conflicting display traffic (have that on film as well!), or diliberate where the display pilot's adrenalin runs away with them.
Every effort I am sure is made by modern western display organizers, but with the many influences that affect any outcome in life this will never be enough.....it is a risk industry, always has been, always will.
:o
Last edited by Fox3snapshot; 29th Jul 2002 at 23:38.