Farnborough 2010

[abzheli]

I've been to Farnborough many times over the years and it seems to me it is getting poorer. The public weekend event there was no A400M, F22, 787, a very poor attendance by the RAF just a typhoon and a Hawk at the static display and not to mention the amount of display stands in the halls that where unmanned juch as Bombardier, Canadain aerospace, Heli one and these are the ones i had an interest in (work related) I remember the first show i went to in the early 90's at the static there was aircraft such as TU22, SU27, Mig 29, C5 and numerous other aircraft as well as most if not all the display stands in the halls being manned for the public weekend.:(

[AndoniP]

I noticed that about RIAT too. The last time I went in 2007 it was amazing, aircraft everywhere, you could go inside the Galaxy, KC135, Nimrod, E3 Sentry etc. This year there was a poor showing.

I'm not sure what's going on to be honest. RIAT and Farnborough are right next to each other, there can't be that much hassle having the aircraft at both events can there?

:8

[air pig]

For events such as RIAT, there is a thing known 'operational requirements', not just aircraft but crews both air and ground. The RAF is that small these days that ALL personel are constantly either on operations, preparing for, or returning from tasking. They don't have enough time to undertake routine training and deployments, let alone see families and friends before going back into high threat environments. I suspect that weekends are precious to these servicemen and women and they don't want to be away on an airfield starting Friday and ending on Monday, when they could be at home.

Farnbrough is a trade show not a military display, SBAC problem, and think of the cost implications to companies and the military

Be very thankful for what you get, it will only get worse over the next ten years as budgets are cut, this could have been a 'golden year' and think before you post.

Same, I suspect goes for all armed forces of any nation at the moment.

[Rhys S. Negative]

At the last several Farnborough shows (the subject of this thread ;) ) the public days have had a very different look to the trade days: in come the historics, aerobats and parachutists along with bouncy castles and fun-fair rides; much of the newer hardware has headed home. Some of the above were used to pad-out the trade-day displays too. From what I heard there were large crowds on the public days so they remain popular, although they cannot compare with the 'classic' SBAC shows of years gone by.

This year we had the B787, A400M, Sukhoi Superjet, AN-158 and JF-17 for the first time, with only the last of these hanging around for the "public" to see (on static display).

It's a bit chicken & egg, I think: do the trade stands pack up early because they know they won't do any more business, or does everyone with a professional interest go in the first few days because they know the stands will be empty come the weekend? I think if I'd been working at the show for 5 days I'd be glad to get home on Friday night.

[AndoniP]

air pig -

i understand these, but:

As far as I understand it the Tornado pair and Harrier are back on the airshow circuit and have demos and demo pilots. Unless all 3 were u/s.

The F22 could have been great PR for the USAF and I doubt that they have personnel shortages like the RAF have. Could have drummed up business too.

Not sure if the A400M flew during the week at Farnborough. Would have been nice to see it. Could have drummed up business too.

Big shame really. Personally I didn't care so much as I attended RIAT and Farnborough but if I went to just Farnborough I would have been pretty annoyed.

[barry lloyd]

I took one look at the flying list for Farnborough and decided not to go this year. Having looked at it three times to confirm there really was a B-52 taking part, I decided that I'd seen one 30 years ago and that there was little point in going.
I suppose it's a function of being older, but I remember when Farnborough was a showcase for new aircraft. I know that there were (a few) new aircraft there, but there was more old than new, and the whole thing these days simply seems to mirror RIAT, especially since the Farnborough dates were changed.
With regard to weekends, and as one who has worked at Farnborough more times than I can remember, it is a trade show, so the 'useful' visitors have usually gone by Friday and many of the exhibitors know that they will be deluged with requests for brochures and visits on board.
Believe me, when you've had five days of dealing with dozens of potential customers, plus the awful journey to and from London and the customer entertaining in the evening, it's a relief when the weekend arrives!

[trident3A]

It was a bit of a let-down this year, really wanted to see the 787, A400M and F-22 none of which were there.

The Vulcan and A380 were amazing as ever,

[merlinxx]

EGLF is a trade show, "Air Mindedness" is no longer a priority for the OEM's/Military/Civil operators. Tis a pre WW-II concept. Today, all peoples are "Air Minded", pershaps for pleasure, hobby or to us "work". Trade days are the sharp end, public days are the bonus for the system cash wise.:bored:

RIAT, has no one realised we have a war to fight, and the global economy is not in the best of health:ugh: Still the hangar party :E

[Supermattt]

I too was disapointed at no F-22, A400M or 787. My thoughts re 787 are that the public buy the plane tickets that allow airlines to buy the aircraft. You could also say that we pay the taxes that pay for the Military stuff. So bit mean to shoot off after trade show. I thought Farnborough was a bit characterless, this time and last time and I probably won't go next time unless there is something special on. Used to think of it as THE airshow in the 80s. Still enjoyed it mind you.

[merlinxx]

My thoughts as well sir. Still had a goodly nosh with those from that little place in Georgia, and those others from Canukistan:ok: Nil from HB though:{

[tristar 500]

AndoniP said Not sure if the A400M flew during the week at Farnborough. Would have been nice to see it. Could have drummed up business too.

Yes it did, it opened the show Mon, Tue,Wed & Thur but then went home as did the F22 Raptor.

It was a great shame as I think they should both been there for the public days, good PR

tristar 500

[TopBunk]

The Vulcan didn't fly on Sundayfor 'technical' reasons.

Does anyone know if they have been fixed and it has left or is it still there/when will it depart?

[Ridge Runner]

Used to think of it as THE airshow in the 80s

Sorry mate but the show of the 80's (and 70's) was certainly IAT, whether at Greenham, Boscombe Down or Fairford. Farnborough just couldn't compete for sheer variety. Its not that way now, of course! RR

[AndoniP]

If the IAT is the predecessor of RIAT, then i have to disagree with you RR. RIAT is miles better than Farnborough. Just look at the line-ups of each show and compare how disappointing Farnborough has become.

[barry lloyd]

My thoughts as well sir. Still had a goodly nosh with those from that little place in Georgia, and those others from Canukistan Nil from HB though


Ah well, there's always Le Bourget 2011 :)

[Ridge Runner]

If the IAT is the predecessor of RIAT, then i have to disagree with you RR. RIAT is miles better than Farnborough.

Mate, I'm not sure that you have read my post correctly. IAT (nowadays RIAT) was miles better than any Farnborough in terms of variety, sheer numbers in attendance, theming, displays etc. The only downside of the Greenham venue was that you faced the sun for the flying displays.

These days the two are pretty much on a par (see my last line) for all the good reasons mentioned earlier. I doubt that we will ever see the likes of the old shows ever again.

RR

[Question_Answer]

I echo a few of the posts on here that Farnborough this year just did not feel like it hit the spot that previous years had done for me. A total lack of modern aircraft displayed - where were all the passenger jets (airlines or business) or even a RW helicopter?? - though there were plenty on static.

I did not go to the trade days in 2008, but when I went this time it seemed that the majority of the big companies hid away in their chalets, rather than offer accessible casual, but from a professional basis, marketing of their products. I asked a couple of reception desks and was advised that I would need to go to their chalet even for simple discussions on their range of helicopters. Some companies were very poor at even approaching someone loitering and trying to catch an eye (with a suit on) their patch as early as Weds morning, so no long week excuses there! However, there were many good discussions to be had, the Saab/Gripen Test Pilot was good value for his (totally unbiased of course) insight about which of the competition his new NG could defeat and top marks to Boeing for their unmanned (or is it uninhabited these days) section - some really fascinating kit on display and staff willing to talk.

I'm lucky that living locally to the show I get to see everything flying not only during the trade and public days but the practice week also (pot luck on timings though!). After the Reds strutted on the Sunday I wandered back home to watch the F1, so that really is a sad indictment of the pulling appeal for the rest of the flying display, even though I had seen it on Saturday, in previous years I have watched as much as possible.

Out of what I did see, the F-22 truly was a stunning display and it really was a shame that it did not stay for the whole week. A400M was nice to see if only to think that as a taxpayer we might be getting something useful, though query whether more C-17 are an easier option.

I'm trying to pose a positive thought that perhaps given the world finance crisis, this year was one of tightening the purse strings so many companies put in an appearance but at a more affordable level. I am hoping that the show in 2012 will be much better. Will there be a buzz in the UK with the Olympics immediately afterwards and perhaps aerospace companies will latch on to this. Looking at the hardware in 2 years, what about the F-35 and Airbus A350/XWB putting in new appearances? Hopefully the 787 and A400M will stay throughout the entire week. Who knows we may even have MRA4 to show.............pending the SDSR guillotine!

[w801jt]

RIAT and Farnborough have always been different types of show. It all depends on what you are interested in.

RIAT will continue to suffer from operaitonal demands and military spending cuts while Farnborough's public (& trade) days are impacted by budget squeeze in industry and the need to concentrate on development work with development aircraft.

It is inevitable that both shows will change in character and content over time - the trick will be to choose the right show and the right day for individual tastes.

[Groundloop]

Considering the 787 is nearly 3 years late Boeing would see no reason whatsover to keep one at Farnborough after the trade days were over as it is urgently needed in the flight test programme. They obviously brought it over to let some of the airline customers see it - but spotters don't matter at the moment.

Same story with the severly delayed A400M.

My thoughts re 787 are that the public buy the plane tickets that allow airlines to buy the aircraft.

Most members of the public have no idea what type of aircrfat they are on!

[Gulf4uk]

"Most members of the public have no idea what type of aircrfat they are on"
------------------
The Amount of publicity on all forms of the media before and during the
Show the General public were well aware of the B787 and A400 and so
on the Public days there was a lot of very Dissapointed members of
the Public because of them not being there . Many people waited a
long time to view the British airways A318 And A380 and were
happy to do so .
Please stop this Idea that RIAT is like Farnborough and competing
there totally differant . Farnborough is A 7day Trade show with the
weekend open to the public RIAT is a Public weekend Airshow .If
its just show flying you want then RIAT will always be the winner.
Farnborough was good this time for what it was but never as
in the past or ever likely to be again.
XH558 Turned heads as ever at farnborough and the people
at Vulcan Village were friendly and helpful . with the brake
problems on the Sunday many people were disapointed but
seemed to understand the reason because they were told why
and about the problem so perhaps others should learn this and
Explain why you cannot see there Aircraft not just a big gap
where it was. lessons to be learned

Tony

[chevvron]

Funny that's the second time the Vulcan has had brake problems at Farnborough, the first time being the 100th Anniversary event in October 2008.
If the crew were able to use the brake 'chute maybe it wouldn't happen, but then how could it be re-packed? Carry a spare with the aircraft? Does it even have one installed? It would add spectator appeal!

[Gulf4uk]

Several times during the show and buildup One of the eurofighters
deployed brake chute . crowds always seen to thrilled to see it
happen .

T

[bobward]

Being of mature age (like a cheese) I've been going to both these shows for many years. I did my first Farnborough in 1968, and IAT at Greenham in 1976. As other have said, the two shows have different objectives, and, things have changed over the last 30 years. The military has imploded, not just here, but across Europe. Thinking about it, there are something like 1,000 less military jets in Europe today, compared to what was around in the late 1990's.

Rubbish I hear you say? Try this, Upper Heyford, Bentwaters, Alconbury, Finningley, Coltishall, Wattisham, Woodbridge, Hahn, Zweibrucken, Bitburg, Ramstein, Soesterburg,Torrejon, all closed. Allow 75 jets on average to each......

With the above disappearing, no wonder there's not much to look at apart from Typhoons and F16's. However, as has been said, appreciate what you've got now, because it's going to get worse. At least old gits like me have got a loft full of slides to get digitised, then drool over in the future.

It's enough to make you want to spot Eddie Stobart trucks, isn't it?:sad::sad::*



Farnborough was always the new stuff, and IAT the current. That position is pretty much the same today, albeit in much smaller quantities.

[Mr_Grubby]

chevvron.

During Farn. week the 24 ILS was u/s.

Is this just because the amount of 'tin' parked so close to the runway makes it unsafe ??

C.:confused:

[SilentHandover]

Mr Grubby,

Correct, too much airshow paraphernalia near the runway to use the ILS.

:ok::ok::ok:

SH

[Mr_Grubby]

Thank you SH, I shall be forever in your debt.

C.:ok:

[SilentHandover]

Crikey you're easily pleased. Mr G. :eek::eek:

We did not get the ILS back until the friday after the show in the end as they were a little slow in removing the spectator fenceline. At least it was nice weather.

[Gulf4uk]

The Burgers from the vans were not so good and the Beer ,good job
I had my own supply of cider. Wife packed me a cooler bag with ice
packs ,saturday aft you needed them.
What was bad so many children in the open sun No Hat or Suncream
what can you tell some people they just dont seem to care.
I spent most of Saturday on the carpark on end of 24 ideal place.
Did notice that A380 Paint was getting rough and looked like it
needed needed a wash didnt they do that after all this was
FARNBOROUGH Its not good enough .


Tony:bored: