Farnborough 2012

[SpringHeeledJack]

I was reading through both the lists of static and flying aircraft for this year and, perhaps it's just me, but it seems really anemic with almost no jet fighters or large metal especially with regards to the flying program. If they keep going at this rate they'll just be a few kites and UAV's in the future. I appreciate that costs are rising, but every 2 years it can't be too much to ask...



SHJ

[chevvron]

Regretfully I was relieved of the onerous duty of 'designing' the flying display after 2004 when SBAC/Farnborough International employed entirely new people to arrange things. Up to the 2004 show, I had worked closely with the SBAC team, who had been employed full time, but to cut costs, SBAC decided to just employ these people part time (for 6 months every 2 years I believe, or that was what the rumour network said) and a lot of experience and expertise was lost when they found other full time jobs and declined to 'ditch' these for the airshow. The display format was then changed by the new people and it has not been the same type of display since.
Whether this has caused companies to decide not to participate in the flying display I couldn't say as I retired after the 2008 show.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thanks for the explanation as to a possible cause mr chevvron, it does seem so 'thin' this year as to be laughable. May I thank you also retrospectively for your efforts and skills for past Farnborough displays that brought a smile to many a face :ok:



SHJ

[LukeA346]

I was looking though the static and flying listings and noticed nothing atall from Airbus or Boeing ( apart from the F18), Is there likely to to be any late additional entries?

Since I noticed from videos on youtube of 2010 of the 787 and A380 at the airshow?

[betterfromabove]

chevvron - guess we do have to thank you for some of the best displays ever organised!

Read this year's display line and was incredulous.

F'boro was always known for getting the most incredible aircraft that existed on that airfield.....it's now pitiful.

[betterfromabove]

The only a/c that raised an eyebrow was the Virgin Galactic spaceplane, which is static only (of course?!?)

[chevvron]

Thanks for your kind remarks; at least someone appreciates my efforts!
When I arrived at Farnborough in early '74, it was decided that myself and another new arrival would understudy the SATCO. This is where I learned the 'skill' which I exercised to varying extents from 1978 to 2004. I had no control over the content of the flying display, but I decided the basic 'running order' and worked out timings, which could be varied by the Flying Control Committee as necessary. I always worked on the premise that there should be something for the spectators to watch at all times, rather than have long gaps which seem to be endemic in some air displays.
Doesn't seem to happen nowadays does it?

[parabellum]

Possibly another reason for the 'thinness' of Farnborough is that there are now just too many air shows in the northern hemisphere, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dubai, Singapore?

[AndoniP]

As Farnborough is effectively a 'sales exhibition' you'd expect there to be many in-production types to showcase products, like the A400, F22, F18 and so on.

The only things I'm looking forward to are the Su-27 and F/A18. The other loud stuff is just the standard guff you see at most other airshows, along with the Eurofighter flying around in a figure of 8 for 5 minutes, tornado role demo, red arrows, BoB memorial flight, all run of the mill boring stuff really.

RIAT will be miles better looking at the fly list. MiG29, F-16s, Rafales, Gripen, A400, F18, even a DHL 767, F-5s, A330 Voyager, C17, VC10, all flying. Pity the Frecce Tricolori won't be there, they were awesome.

[Evanelpus]

Farnborough is a sad shadow of its former self. We all know it's primarily a sales show, always has been but at least on public days there was enough in the flying display to keep you interested. Nowadays, most of the decent stuff has gone by Thursday.

I was looking though the static and flying listings and noticed nothing atall from Airbus or Boeing

I'm sure I read that a Malaysian A380 was going to be there until Tuesday/Wednesday? Also thought there was another one there as well, probably one of the test frames.

[PAXboy]

Thank you for the background, chevvron, illuminating.

It won't be too much longer before the SBAC show folds and closes. That is not wishful thinking but simply the usual way of things.

SBAC are nearly 100 years old and the show dates from 1932 (I read) and there are not many things that reach 100 years. As has been pointed out above, there are many new shows and they have more money to throw at the customers - which is what this is all about.

An example from my own 27 years experience in telecommunications. There used to be two big trade shows every year in the UK (I don't know how many there are now as I am out of that line). The big show, with all the names and speakers, the very pinnacle of the year was in Brighton. I first attended in 1981 (I think) and by the late 90s it was obvious that the show was dying on it's feet with numbers of visitors and exhibitors dropping.

I discussed this with one of the organisers that I knew across many years and was told that the numbers were holding up and they were optimistic. The very next year, the show was canx.

That is what happens and it's called evolution. It's not nice for those who lose their jobs but that is what humans do - and I'm sure that we could have a dozen examples of old things that die - apparently very suddenly when, actually, they've been dying for years. Woolworths anyone?

chevvron tells us that they already saved money by getting rid of experienced staff and this is indicative of 'death of a thousand cuts'. Mgmt will continue to declare that everything is fine - as the show (effectively) enters CFIT. BMI anyone?

[chevvron]

I went to 'The Radio Show' at Earls Court. I saw a new development in TV - colour TV! I think they demonstrated the 'British' system alongside the 'American' one.
I think The Radio Show died in the late 60s.

[mmitch]

I was sent the details of the 'Enthusiasts day' It mentioned that the exhibition halls would be open on the Friday but closed on the public weekend. Half the interest to me.
What finished it for me was having to leave my car several miles away and go in by bus lugging everything with me.
mmitch.

[betterfromabove]

A lot of the acts are nto flying on the Fri, so seems the worst day to visit of all.

Yes, not being able to park on the airfield has made the getting in/out with a car a nightmare. Train then bus seems the low stress option.

And then there's the security search.....

I'm inclined to join the chancers who take a picnic and watch from Fleet Common, which could be especially good if they're using 06.

What was a world-leading event has been reduced back to a rather ordinary industry exhibition. It still features in the news but more for its historical importance than its current.

Le Bourget is far worse though.

[average-punter]

It seems dead here this year (I live under runway 06). The police are out in full force blocking roads and creating the one way system that will make driving around Farnborough a nightmare for a week! I haven't seen anything fly over or practice yet... At this time in 2010 everything was around and practicing the routine... The exhibition tents have been put up.

[betterfromabove]

Fairford is Where It's At these days.

At the other end, you've Old Warden, Duxford, Old Buckenham or Headcorn for the other end of scale and the ol' magic. The airshow scene is not what it was, but there are fortunately some stalwarts holding true out there.

Sad to see F'boro' become what is though. Having a world class event is not bad news for anyone.

[SilentHandover]

average-punter,

The airshow in 2010 did not start until July 19th, the first arrivals day was the Monday before, the 12th. You can expect arrivals and practice/validation flights from July 2nd this year.

SH

[British Grenadier]

And at £35.00 hardly a family day out , even with the kids going for free

[Gulf4uk]

£41.00 on Sat And Sunday On the Gate and the Exhibition Halls are closed to the public. Cost cutting and fact they Say people don't want them more planes and the Funfair are what the Public Requested. but the organizers did say the Exhibition could be back for 2014 Show.
As usual a large number of departures will take place on Thursday eve so its
An expensive day to visit a Funfair
whole area around the field is now a no parking Tow away Zone so be warned it could get even costlier .

Tony
Farnborough Resident

[Gulf4uk]

forgot to Add The Connie has been withdrawn needs a new Engine
and XH558 Still a doubt engine runs may start on Monday

Tony

[mat777]

Apparently though, a mockup/prototype of this is going to be at the show:
Nasa joins race to build successor to Corncorde capable of flying from London to Sydney in FOUR HOURS | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2163953/Nasa-joins-race-build-successor-Corncorde-capable-flying-London-Sydney-FOUR-HOURS.html)


I have a question however - I am unavailable that weekend but could make any of the weekday trade only slots. What conditions does one need to fulfil to be able to buy a trade ticket? I am an Aeronautical Engineering university student (also beginning to job hunt for internships or graduation jobs in aerospace), if that helps?

[chevvron]

Are NASA using Dr. Barnes Wallis' research of 50 odd years ago I wonder? Wallis proposed (and designed) an aircraft to travel at M=9 for this type of journey. I think he was still working on it when he died. He used to work in an office in the old racing circuit control tower at Brooklands; I visited there on a school organised visit in about 1966.

As regards a Farnborough trade day ticket; these are not 'sold' as such, but companies can apply to SBAC for them.

[DaveReidUK]

As regards a Farnborough trade day ticket; these are not 'sold' as such, but companies can apply to SBAC for them.

As an aero engineering student, the OP is exactly the kind of visitor that Farnborough International should be encouraging.

He has nothing to lose by applying anyway for a trade pass:

Farnborough 2012 | Buy Trade Passes (http://www.farnborough.com/visitors/trade-buy-trade-passes)

[betterfromabove]

From my experience, you simply need to state which organisation you're representing and give email details etc.

Tickets are £30 this year. Is it just me, or didn't they used to be free for industry visitors??

[yorky66]

Tickets for Trade Days are £30 in advance...but can be purchased at the gates for £37.

Provide ample proof of who you are including a photo indentity...(driving licence or Passport)

Applications can be made on-line and tickets collected at gate...saving £7 and queueing !

JC

[TCAS_Alert]

Confirmed today Boeing are sending a Qatar 787 and Korean 737-900. 787 will do static and flying on 9-11, 737-900 static only on 9-12.

Airbus sending an A380 and A400M that will both do static and flying all 7 days.

Anyone know if the A380 will be in an airline's livery? Possibly MH as theirs is ready for delivery soon I believe?

[Evanelpus]

Anyone know if the A380 will be in an airline's livery? Possibly MH as theirs is ready for delivery soon I believe?

I did hear sometime ago that the Malasian was there only for the first few days and that one of the dev aircraft was going to be doing the flying on public days. All subject to change.

Buying trade tickets, whatever next? In a previous life I used to get shedloads of these and gave them away to friends who thought you were giving them a golden chalice. Now you can buy the :mad: things! The worlds gone mad.

[TCAS_Alert]

Used to go on the trade days when I worked in the trade, remember coming home with bags full of freebies :)

Haven't been since then, but have comp tickets for the weekend this year so will most certainly be there :ok:

[FrimleyBoy]

I worked at the RAE from 1978 (missed that air show by a week) and left QinetiQ in 2010. While we were on the airfield site we had pretty much free access to wander over to the show whenever we wanted. Those of us with an interest - which was everyone when we were RAE - saw it as their duty to go! Actually working, especially inhe afternoons, was pretty much impossible anyway. We also had the privilege of watching the show from "our" side, which included on the roofs of the buildings or over by A-shed. Happy times, but you always seemed to be guaranteed a soaking when the show was in September - bit like July, really! How different once we were moved into the Cody Technology Park as QinetiQ. You want to go to the air show? For free!? Back to your desk, Dilbert.

I see in the local paper that 7000 local residents are to get complimentary tickets. That's a first (as far as I know). Don't know what it implies, but for sure the airshow seems to be less and less attractive to go to, in fact 2010 was the first year I didn't go and didn't miss it a bit.

[Gordon Fraser]

I have been to 2 Farnborough Shows, 1957 and 2010. I still have fond memories (and photos of '57.) In my opinion the fifties were the most exciting period in British aviation. I have attended many air shows over 55 years including the 35 years that I have lived outside Britain.

If Farnborough '57 was a highlight of my life, Farnborough 2010 was the nadir! The complaints voiced re the 2012 show were the same that I had about 2010. The main problem was that for the public weekend shows, many of the 'star' attractions were withdrawn after the private days. One of the supposed "highlights" was a single flypast at about 2000 ft and two miles away of a B52!!
To be fair, there are not the numbers & variety of display aircraft these days, both from manufacturers and air forces.
Farnborough was originally intended to be the showcase for British aviation and
all aircraft participating had to be of British origin. This was later extended to aircraft powered by British engines. This 'raison d'etre' has vanished.

It will be at least another 50 years until I attend Farnborough again!

[Tableview]

The Farnborough International Airshow 2012 in Hampshire - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/farnborough-airshow/9387480/The-Farnborough-International-Airshow-2012-in-Hampshire.html?frame=2272008)


http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02272/vulcan-landing_2272008k.jpg

[chevvron]

Hm looks a bit low, must be going for '24 long'.