We are a little unfortunate, given Australia's location, to be so far away from the main aircraft population bases of the world, and having such a small population that restricts the potential numbers of warbirds and other types that attract visitors to an air show.
Attend a sea side air show at Bournemouth in the UK and you may well have a million people watch the event over a period of 4 days, with an aircraft that is displaying a routine at 3 or 4 separate events on the same day. Such is the luxury of having a large number of warbirds in a relatively small country with a large population. Add to that the proximity of several neighbouring countries willing to throw display aircraft into the mix at short notice and you have the ingredients for a full and varied display program. And Bournemouth is but one of around 230 air shows in the UK each year.
Avalon is probably the most suitable, and least restricted, aifrield for a major air show in Australia.
True, you cannot compare the event to Oshkosk and Farnborough, but nor do we have the number of available aircraft or the ties to manufacturers that support many of the overseas events.
Having said that Avalon does put on a great event given the resources available with many of the civil and military acts coming from overseas. The air show is also a major event for the Victorian Government and the RAAF.
Di_Vosh may have valid opinions, however, many of the visiting members of the public do not have the ability, nor the interest, to travel to any of the overseas events. Given the state of grass roots aviation in Australia is good to see the event still going and attracting relatively good attendance numbers.
I think you will find 2013 will be a varied event to 2011, and 2015 even more so. I believe having an event such as Avalon is better than not at all.
Last edited by Composite_Man; 8th Jan 2013 at 10:44.