WsM Helidays

[rotorboater]

Anyone else from here going to Weston Super Mare helidays this weekend.

Maybe we can meet for a beer or 3!:)

[Banjo]

Yes, I will be there on the Sunday and hopefully the Saturday night also subject to work.

[Brilliant Stuff]

What work Banjo? You don't work weekends anymore.:E

[lartsa]

are they still charging to land there? i used to go every year but when they started to charge it got a bit silly

[cyclicmicky]

Got a slot booked for ten ...hope the wx is better than last year on the way there. Hit fog on the Severn estuary and had to go back to Gloucester to wait it out.

[Brilliant Stuff]

You do know the money goes towards the upkeep of the museum and not some fat cat's pocket. A percentage of the pleasure flying also goes towards the museum.

[Banjo]

Well sorry to say Brilliant Stuff I had to fly this weekend on an emergency patrol however I popped down this afternoon to see everyone and realised I had not missed anything.

Very thin show in the static park due to all the various conflicts around the globe but maybe next year will be better.

[paucum]

Hi,
My first post so be gentle. I took my son to WSM for this and as mentioned the display was quite sparse due to deployments etc. Anyways the arrivals and departures, and some sit ins was worth the day as well as the "pleasure" flight from the beach.:ok:
I am happy to donate some, if not all, the admission to local charities and the museum but what is it with the gauntlet of arcade tat, burger vans and cuddly toy raffles - were the takings for these for charity?:confused:
Maybe coz I went on a Sunday, but as far as I could make out there was no Helicopter Training establishment advertising or any simulation of how these wonderful things stay in the air - maybe an actual museum visit would've shown the latter.
I'm a bit late in hoping to start my heli training next year, but my son is keen and from what I see, unless he get's into HM Forces or wins the lottery it will prove difficult to land a career as a helicopter pilot - but I know this has been debated on Pprune before.
So thanks WSM for a lovely day, hope to see it packed out next year.
Paucum

[Tailboom]

I arrived on Saturday afternoon I think the weather played a big part in keeping helis a way, I agree with the loads of tat for sale.

The only problem I can moan about is that we were not allowed to look at the helis unless we were positioned from behind the blue rope which was strung out to keep the general public away, even on our way back to our machine we could not look.

What are us owners/pilots supposed to do while we are there, have a burger, stroll through the brick a brack stalls as pilots we are supposed to be responsible people so I don't understand the problem, when were airside we can take a close up look at other machines so why not at Weston.

I for one don't think I'll be going again, I've got no problem with paying for a landing in fact its not complusory but it does go to charity. But if I cant look at other peoples mahines there is not much point in going there, I could see more at an airport!!!!!!

[helimarshaller]

Tailboom,
Because you are the owner/operator of a visiting helicopter it does not give you the right to walk freely around the active area and look at other helicopters.
If you were not wearing a flourescent jacket you are treated as a member of the general public. The public on the other hand cannot see your 'Aircrew Pass' so adopt the 'if he can go there so can I' attitude.
As one of the marshallers we are always getting told by Air Traffic to move people back behind the Blue Rope as they are just strolling around without a care in the world.
Some owner/operators treat the clear area behind the helicopters as a quick way to get from A to B without having to weave through the public.
If you are an owner/operator wearing a flourescent jacket and want to look at another helicopter there should not be a problem as long as you follow any guidance given by the marshallers. We are aware of what is going on.
The bottom line is we want to keep it a safe event.
Helimarshaller

[Express Heli]

Just to reiterate the point already made by Helimarshaller about the aircrew..you have to see it from our side of things, we see thousands of people during the weekend and they all look pretty much the same because they do not have the florescent yellow jackets on, so as aircrew, if you wish to walk airside then florescent yellow jackets are a must. They help us out so much because during the course of the weekend, hundreds of people stray across the blue ropes and into the airside area, and as one of the officials who have to deal with those people it is extremely hard work and extremely fustrating.

Most of the helicopter owners/pilots don't actually want people to be near to their helicopters, unless they are there to overlook and even then, some prefer not to have people looking too closely, and also there are quite a few people who don't understand that the lawns are active and will just walk behind the helicopters right into the active area, which as aircrew yourself, you can understand how dangerous that is.

Hence the reason for the blue rope.

So, if you do attend again, please ensure you have a high vis jacket to wear, as it helps us marshallers & safety officials a lot.

[Brilliant Stuff]

When I went last year as a punter and not as a pilot I was able to walk up to all the helicopters and have a chat with the crews.

But I agree I would not want anyone walking across my ladning spot either.

The last thing we want is an incident, which will give the uniformed/unwashed/jobsworth amunition.

Ask people for help I am sure someone would help you.

Sorry to hear it was a bit thin.Good luck for next year.

[rotorboater]

It was not as well attended as in previous years but still a great day, the marshallers do a hard job keeping the punters away - not too sure about them making me taxi for 1/2 mile downwind in 20 knts though!:}

It could do with a separate bar or coffee tent just for visiting aircrew though, it would have been good to meet a few more people than just the ones that turned up at the very wet barebeq on saturday night.

As for the tacky stands - well it is Weston-Super-Mare, what else do you expect!;)

[Express Heli]

When I went last year as a punter and not as a pilot I was able to walk up to all the helicopters and have a chat with the crews.

Yes, you are allowed to walk upto the helicopters and chat with the crews..but only when invited by the crews, that was going on at the weekend, with the RAF Puma & Griffin crews, the German Bo105, the Police EC135 and for about 2mins the Air Ambulance.

As for the tacky stands - well it is Weston-Super-Mare, what else do you expect!;)

Too true!!

It was not as well attended as in previous years but still a great day, the marshallers do a hard job keeping the punters away - not too sure about them making me taxi for 1/2 mile downwind in 20 knts though!:}

What helicopter were you in then?
There were quite a few others who were finding it difficult to cope in the winds, especially the likes of the R22s and 44s!

[metalman]

Hi everyone, did anybody visit the Weston Heli Show,i did and i was,to say the least disappointed,there were very few visitors,we were not allowed to view the aircraft from "airside" we were told in no uncertain terms (by a schoolboy) to "get back over the line" this after paying a (voluntary) £20 landing fee.
the show was "supported" by rather cheap and nasty looking sideshows,in addition most of the food on offer was nothing short of disgracful,served from unhygenic "vans" and caravans, one (food) stall in particular would i am sure been shut down immediattely had it been visited by a food inspector.
comments please!
In contrast to this, i often visit the museum at weston,which is always clean, facinationg and run by the most pleaseant volunteers that you would wish to meet,i go there around once a fortnight to visit my daughter who lives next door,none of the volunteers have ever been offered a ride in anthing from anyone who visits, although the next time i go i have promised to give one or more of them a "whiz" they are very exited so,if anyone out there does fancy a visit and feels generous please think about giving one of these lovely people a quick ride.their gratitude would be immeasarable
Royston

[Express Heli]

As has been said before, you were told to go on the other side of the rope because you were not wearing a florescent yellow jacket..and as a member of aircrew yourself, surely you understand that alone is a safety risk? Also, again as has been said before, a member of the public will see someone..such as yourself airside, who doesn't have a high vis jacket on and say to themselves if he/she can do it, so can I..and that really does become a nightmare for the officials who then have to run around, chasing people who are places they shouldn't be..after a while it seems like we are banging our heads against a brick wall, because it becomes very tedious and after all, it is common sense not to go beyond a rope which has obviously been put up for a reason!!!
So, given that, I had my reasons to ask you to walk on the other side of the rope..it is also written on the card(s) you would have been shown when booking in, because I know that as some us were so p:mad: d off with it, that they carried them around to point it out.

As one of the marshallers we are always getting told by Air Traffic to move people back behind the Blue Rope as they are just strolling around without a care in the world.
At the end of the day, we are only doing our job..so please, instead of getting irate about being asked to do something you are not happy with..please just co-operate, because we are doing it for your safety, our safety and the safety of others.
I mean, I personally (along with a small team of other people) have to manage the rope to make sure that it is secure, make sure that people are not walking airside when they shouldn't be, move people on from the fence adjacent to the airside area, and stop the crowds when a helicopter arrives & when one departs, along with a few other tasks which I cannot actually think of at this moment in time.
As Helimarshaller has said previously..
The bottom line is we want to keep it a safe event.

I then found it very offensive, and irresponsible when you all completely ignored what I had said, lied to me about which helicopter you were returning to (as you pointed to, and gave the impression it was the Enstrom)..and then carried on your walk airside, looking at other people's helicopters. Then, only when you were told again, but this time by a member of the team who was much older than myself, and around about your age did you listen and do as you had been asked.



But, on a different note..instead of posting that here, why don't you inform the event organisers about what you were unhappy with..as "constructive critisism" so that they can then try to improve the event for next year, and for the years following on from that? I am 100% sure that you are not the only one who was disappointed with the event, so try and make it better..for everyone. :ok:

[Bronx]

you were not wearing a florescent yellow jacket..and as a member of aircrew yourself, surely you understand that alone is a safety risk?

Nope, I don't understand. :confused:


I wasn't there, just curious.

[lartsa]

heliexpress

i think that visiting pilots may want it a return to how it was a few years ago before charging and the regulations imposed

iam not saying that the regulations are not all required but it was nice to wander over a have a chat and meet other pilots

i didnt like the introduction of charges i know it goes to charity but the visiting pilots make the weekend for the punters coming and going theye have already paid for their helicopters ,fuel ,rentals ect it annoyed me that we have to pay a landing fee [even if it was optional]

i belive the miitary dont pay they get paid to come is this true ?

i came for the 6 years prior to charging with 2/3 other helis

[QUOTE][But, on a different note..instead of posting that here, why don't you inform the event organisers about what you were unhappy with..as "constructive critisism" so that they can then try to improve the event for next year, and for the years following on from that? I am 100% sure that you are not the only one who was disappointed with the event, so try and make it better..for everyone. /QUOTE]

so heres my 2 ideas for the management

no charges

if any pilot or passenger wants to wander he purchases a hi viz jacket with WSM HELI MUSEUM on the back for £10 each year the colour of writing changes [these could be used later by pilot and pax for safety reasons ]


lets gets wsm helidays to where it was before a place on the pilots calender

helimarshaller are you the photograper that also marshalls at the helichamps

[heli1]

It never ceases to amaze me how some people in this country always have to complain ,even when others are doing something good as volunteers to raise money for charity.

Helidays only exists because enthusiasts put their hands in their pockets and guarantee the bills ,or spend their own money to come and help.The stalls help to pay for the fencing and Air Traffic etc ,and if you want something better,then there is the whole town within easy walking distance at no charge In addition ,this year ,because the military were out doing their duty and had to cancel participation ,there were no landing fee charges and the event was well supported by sympathetic civil owners and operators to compensate.More than 50 in fact,most of whom just enjoy having somewhere different to go.

The question of safety is also uppermost in the organisers minds..with the CAA visiting and the local Council watching it has to be .During the event the landing area IS an airfield and one might ask those who object to being "controlled,when was the last time you were allowed to wander at will over any airfield that is active?
After 16 years I think the organisers have a good idea of what they are doing and HeliDays has raised the best part of half million for local charities,including The Helicopter Museum.
So next time Whingers Anonymous why not volunteer to help instead of finding fault.Understanding what goes into organising and running the Show might help you see the light ! Otherwise do everyone a favour and stay away.The other 20,000 odd people who visit each year won't miss you !

[rotorboater]

Well I for one actually enjoy the event, after all I don't get to see the delights of an English sea side hotel that often (thank god!):\

I would be happy to provide a small marquee for next year for pilots to have a coffee and sit down, anyone else willing to supply some chairs and someone else to get the coffee machine etc.

Its nice to see the general public being able to get near the helicopters and although there wasn't much mil stuff this year, the ones that were there did a great PR exersise and let kids sit in the seats etc.

The HighVis is just a fact of life these days, its just the country we live in.

I for one will be back again next year:D

[lartsa]

well if thats the offical answer to my post i wont go did you?

[Heliport]

I don't think it's an official answer - just one person's attitude to suggestions for improvement.

Takes all sorts.

[Trying Hard]

Just to let you know, the assorted "tat" on the helidays site covers the cost of the fencing, air traffic, PA system, Pilots barbeque, Hi-Vis jackets (available to borrow from the Pilots Reception point), provision of free tea/coffee and squash available under the gazebo at the Control Point - admittedly there were few chairs but I'm positive everyone was advised of the availability), van hire to move tables, chairs etc, electricity and water supply, etc. etc. etc. Without the trade stalls (which go down well with the public) we couldn't afford to go ahead with the event.

All burger vans had to be both registered with their local authority and subject to an on-site inspection by the local council environmental health department. There are an assortment of fish and chip shops, MacDonalds, Burger Kings, and family-run restaurants within a few minutes walk from the HELiDAYS site, not to mention numerous pubs ...

:ugh: There was NO landing fee this year - following suggestions last year the decision was made not to charge but to simply accept donations. No one twisted anyones arm behind their back and made them offer a donation - that was down to individual attendees (one of whom donated a 3 figure sum). We appreciate the efforts made to bring your helicopter to the event and hope you will look upon the event as a chance to promote your "nasty, noisy helicopter" to the general public, (and if you stay to the BBQ you would get your moneys worth in more ways than one!)

All monies raised go to Charity, and EVERYONE on site is a volunteer - not receiving a penny for their efforts. I probably put in over 100 hours unpaid work from the Saturday before the event until the Sunday night, in addition I have a family (2 kids) to feed, wash and organise and a day job to go to at 9.00 on Monday. I'm not offering a sob story, just asking for a few less moans and more constructive criticism like that offered by Rotorboater. (Maybe we just need a sign saying "tea and coffee for air crews available here" - or maybe a few bottles of wine would be better!!!")

[helimarshaller]

lartsa
See your PM.

Helimarshaller