Le Bourget (Paris) airshow

[Momoe]

Hi,
Went to the Paris air show at the weekend, I have some thoughts on the show but don't want to pre-empt any replies.

If you went to the show - what were your thoughts on the show?

Thanks

[DaveReidUK]

So if there aren't any responses, we'll never get to know what you thought of it either?

Go on, do tell, you know you want to ... :O

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Momoe
Went on a Trade Day
Traffic - poor
Security - crap
Check In Ladies - O la la very nice
Static - Qatar rule the World
Flight Displays - 787 was the best in my view. I liked the CSeries.

Best Bit: flying on a B777F flight deck home.

DaveReid - was that all right for you? :=:=

[Timothy Quinn]

My first time ever on European mainland was for the 1989 Paris Air Show and I bet it was better than your visit.................

[Momoe]

I went with three friends, all of whom are seasoned airshow enthusiasts.

Flying displays were subtly different from UK displays in that all displays started and finished on the ground and subsequently there was a wait between displays.

No 787 or C-series although the displays from the A350 and A380 were impressive as the displays were tight and impressive for the aircraft type.

Rafale display was very good, an exceptional pilot.

Air patrouille were technically brilliant but uninspiring, Reds do it better in our opinion as their displays are better technically and more thrilling.

Definitely a cultural difference, the (mainly) French audience applauded every display very politely while the majority of the planes taxied past the crowd line.

Summarising, it was a bit passe, which surprised all of us. We were expecting a lot more flair from the French who have an aviation heritage at least as old as ours (and more importantly still flourishing).
We won't be going again, thanks to those who took the time to reply

Felt extremely sorry for all the sales guys who were still in their booths trying to peddle goods to families and enthusiasts, I'm aware that costs for
display space are astronomic but on a Sunday - Please!

[SpringHeeledJack]

It's all the more impressive when one considers the tight airspace around LBG, what with CDG only a few kms away, plus very built up housing on the outskirts of Paris, so to stay within the parameters of the display area is an indication of the skill of all the pilots.

Did the OP manage to visit the museum with all it's aviation content whilst there ?



SHJ

[DaveReidUK]

Flight Displays - 787 was the best in my view. I liked the CSeries.

No 787 or C-series

Moral: Go on a trade day. :O

[Momoe]

While it would have been nice to see the C-series and the 787, the display parameters and culture appeared to be the issue (I've seen the 787 displayed before and it's an impressive aircraft).

One thing of note: prices - entrance fee including a seat in the main stand 25 euros, burger and chips 10 euros.
This included a free shuttle bus to and from the nearest station.

SHJ, Museum was very good, two Concordes! What's not to like! Plus an interesting assortment of exhibits.

DaveReid, as mentioned earlier the trade stands were manned, also the C-series and the 787 were advertised as appearing (there was no small print excluding Sunday) at least not on my program.