Farnborough International - Viewing Resrictions

[Warmtoast]

For those accustomed to use the "free" obsevation locations at the western end of the airfield, new restrictions have been announced closing off roads and the Basingstoke Canal during the airshow and the week before for validation flights.


Press Release from FI
16 May 2016

UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING LOCAL TRAVEL DURING THE FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW

We understand that information released during our media day has raised questions from both our neighbours and those travelling to Farnborough during the Airshow period. As previously stated, in compliance with the new regulations brought into place following the CAA final report from their Civil Air Display Review, there will be more restrictions for entering areas surrounding TAG Farnborough Airport during flying display times.
These restrictions are expected to be in place between, 12.00 and 16.30 during the week prior to the Airshow, for validation flights, and during the Airshow itself between 12.30 and 17.30.
We have requested that Hampshire County Council close selected roads to all vehicles and pedestrians whilst aerobatic displays are taking place within the dedicated aerobatic flying area. We have also requested the following to be closed with diversions to put in place:

•A section of the A323 Fleet road from its junction with Norris Hill Road and its junction Laffans Road.

•A section of Aldershot Road from its junctions with the A323 Fleet Road and eastern boundary of The Forester public house.

We have also requested that Hampshire County Council close a small section of the Basingstoke Canal between Eelmoor and Norris Bridges and are working with the Council’s cooperation on this matter.
We recognise these restrictions and closures may be an inconvenience, but they are in place to ensure the safety of all. We hope that by publishing these details now it will enable people to plan travel between 4th and 17th July well in advance.
Farnborough International CEO, Shaun Ormrod, said “We are extremely grateful for all the support and advice we receive from both Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council in ensuring areas around TAG Farnborough Airport are safe and people are able to continue to go about their business during our show with as little disruption as possible.“
All visitors to this year’s Farnborough International Airshow will see an outstanding flying display. Acts have been specifically chosen who can display within the new regulations without reducing the quality of impact of their performance.


And from the Basingstoke Canal Authority

Farnborough International have asked that a small portion of the Canal between Eelmoor and Norris Bridges be closed during flying hours at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. This is as a result of new safety regulations introduced following the Shoreham Airshow crash last year restricting low level flying. As a major event supporting the national economy Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke Canal Authority are happy to support Farnborough International so that they can comply with the new regulations brought into place following the CAA final report from their Civil Air Display Review.
A joint press release from Farnborough International and Hampshire County Council has now been issued on the Farnborough International website www.farnborough.com (http://www.farnborough.com)

Q: Where will the Canal be closed?
A: The Canal and towpath from a point just east of Eelmoor Bridge to a point just west of Norris Bridge will be closed as part of the Airshow perimeter during the hours of flying on 4 - 9 July (noon to approx. 4.30pm) and 11 - 17 July (noon to approx. 5.30pm).
Q: Why weren’t Canal users consulted?
A: Farnborough International are reacting to changes in national safety regulations made by the Civil Aviation Authority which have only recently been finalised; it wasn’t until April that we were aware that there would be an implication for the Canal, unfortunately that meant there was no time to conduct any form of consultation before the decision had to be made about this year’s Airshow.
Q: Will I be able to stand on the towpath, or on a moored boat between Eelmoor and Norris Bridges to watch the flying displays?
A: No – the area will be secured by the Airshow’s security team. Safety regulations mean that no-one is allowed in this area during the flying displays.

[DaveReidUK]

That seems a tad inconsistent. Are they planning to evacuate the large chunk of Farnborough town that's closer to the runway than some of those closed roads at the other end are ?

[Gulf4uk]

They tried and failed to stop people standing by the swan and FAST a few years ago
but FAST Is closed for show Period.
If they move display area further away north side this would be over the
heavily populated area of Farnborough and getting closer to the Heathrow
control zone .Over Reaction is what we expected and seems getting worse
Safety Yes Stupidity NO

Tony

Resident of 60years

[Warmtoast]

Dave

I get the impression FI are keeping the area free where aerobatics are usually performed, but given that the CAA's instructions following Shoreham crash that aerobatics at airshows were to take place a mile away from any human habitation (I think); aerobatics at FI are probably going to take place less than a mile from places where people live and work e.g. The Foresters pub in Aldershot Road, Church Crookham, the nursery school and office complex etc. adjacent to the Ively Road gyratory at Norris Bridge, Puckeridge Barracks near Eelmoor Bridge etc. etc.

WT

[Dockwell]

They tried and failed to stop people standing by the swan and FAST a few years ago
but FAST Is closed for show Period.
If they move display area further away north side this would be over the
heavily populated area of Farnborough and getting closer to the Heathrow
control zone .Over Reaction is what we expected and seems getting worse
Safety Yes Stupidity NO

Tony

Resident of 60years
The display area is being moved to the West not the North, therefore further away from both Farnborough Town and Heathrow! Also there possibly wont be any aircraft performing during the display landing over the Swan so it wont really matter who stands there to be honest

[HamishMcBush]

Are they going to evacuate Frimley Park Hospital as well, or maybe the Red Arrows will have to change their display this time round? Usually part of the "formation" flies directly over my house during their display........

EDIT: And I see that admission is GBP48 on the day per person! Outrageous. I live just outside the area where conessions are offered to residents but even so, they are maintaining the 2 for 1 pricing this year, not much use if you wish to attend on your own. Looks like I'll have to give it a miss this time round again, despite having to contend with the week of local traffic jams, air pollution, noise, smell of fuel in the air etc etc. (sigh)

[Dockwell]

The Display is moving to the West, away from Frimley Park hospital, Farnborough and Heathrow !! and yes there is a change to many display sequences this year due to the new rules and yes that will include the Red Arrows.

PS: perhaps buying a house near an airfield that holds a 2 week airshow every 2 years was not a good life choice especially as you will be having to contend with the week of local traffic jams, air pollution, noise, smell of fuel in the air etc etc. (sigh) :-/

[Gulf4uk]

local Traffic jams dont bother residents we all all aware and plan routes around
the area but the new restrictions could cause problems for visitors so best listen
to local Radio on route 104.6 96.4 And Airshow Radio .
Smell of Aviation fumes well we all need a fix now and then and anyone who
moves here without checking area is bonkers ie this Is Farnborough Hants
Not KENT Flying been here 100 years whats in Kent No Idea.

[boguing]

EDIT: And I see that admission is GBP48 on the day per person! Outrageous

I believe that there's someone selling some 'Early Bird' tickets on a couple of other forums at just £32 each!

[THE AIRBOEJET]

local Traffic jams dont bother residents we all all aware and plan routes around
the area but the new restrictions could cause problems for visitors so best listen
to local Radio on route 104.6 96.4 And Airshow Radio .
Smell of Aviation fumes well we all need a fix now and then and anyone who
moves here without checking area is bonkers ie this Is Farnborough Hants
Not KENT Flying been here 100 years whats in Kent No Idea.
Have to admit when I had an interview at Biggin Hill saw Farnborough (kent) and thought oooh Farnborough air show. I got the job but enjoyed the biggin airshows when I was there also the free tickets to Farnborough hants

[Gulf4uk]

Biggin airfairs were excellent shame that went . many times got coach from
Aldershot to the show.Still miss the September Farnborough Shows much better
than current ones we had aircraft then V bombers lightnings .

[Dockwell]

The move from the Sept show in my opinion has improved it, the weather although still not guaranteed is eminently better in July than Sept and the fact that the other big show RIAT is now slap bang in the middle of the Farnborough fortnight also helps with participation at both. I cant help but feel that in the future Farnborough will be just a trade show without an airshow tagged on. Although this will be disappointing we will still see the aircraft arrive and do demo flights but not display as such. We may also see a lot more visiting aircraft during the week so there's always a bright side !

[cyflyer]

Well, if its any consolation guys, its not only Farnborough but every air show from now on for all eternity. Yesterdays American Air force Museum show at Duxford was a disaster for those that frequent the areas south of the airfield during displays. There were security road blocks everywhere along the roads leading to the fields, motorcycles cops patroling and moving along anyone who managed to get through the first few road block minefields. It was impossible to get in there, and a couple of people who managed to get as far as a field were within minutes escorted out. The "this is a public road" argument didn't work, you weren't even able to be on the main public road to the south of Duxford, so much so, that I witnessed the Duxford security guy pulled up in his car along side one of the fields, waiting for one of his colleagues who had gone into the fields to escort out tresspassers. Motorcycle cop, pulls up, tells everyone to move on pronto, or else. The Duxford security guy flashes his official tag thats hanging from his neck, and says "I'm the Duxford secuity officer and I'm waiting for my colleague to bring people out from the field, I drafted the security rules for Duxford ! ", to which the cop replies "I don't care, I'm here to move any people or vehicles from this road, you move your vehicle now !" , to which the Duxford guy had to drive away there and then. I did catch up to him later at the road block and told him I thought the cop was out of order for treating him like that. It just proved how strict they were about enforcing the regulation. Many people settled for a field outside the cordoned off area which was miles away and on the other side of the M11 which was rather pointless. One of the motorcycle cops, when we had finished a heated discussion and calmed down, told me that he was doing the same duty at Old Warden/Shuttleworth next week also. So this is a permanent state of affairs from now on at all air shows.

[arem]

Truly pathetic

[DaveReidUK]

Some serious ass-covering going on ...

Clearly it's considered easier to create sterile zones around flying displays than to make sure pilots stick to their planned routine.

[Dockwell]

ah yes, but if we do lose another aircraft at an airshow and people on the ground are hurt or even killed while going about their daily business not connected to the airshow they will probably ban all airshows for good. The days of the naughty field are gone I'm afraid, and yes while they do hold some quite exhilarating memories mostly people have got away with being somewhere they shouldn't and nothing untoward happening.

[Warmtoast]

Dockwell

while they do hold some quite exhilarating memories mostly people have got away with being somewhere they shouldn't and nothing untoward happening

I have very fond memories of air shows I attended in the 1950's - 60's, particularly memorable was the 1950 RAF Air Display at Farnborough which I attended that featured a scenario where Vampires fired live rockets from almost above the crowd to attack a strong point at the far end of the airfield - for an impressionable youngster very exciting!

As regards 'dangerous?' flying, have a look at these screen grabs from my 8mm cine film of Neville Browning inverted in his Zlin G-ASIM at a Battle of Britain display at Biggin Hill which I estimate I shot in the 1960's (I bought my cine camera in 1960).


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/Biggin%20Hill%20Early%201950s/LowPass1.jpg
Neville Browning in his Zlin Treiner approaches inverted


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/Biggin%20Hill%20Early%201950s/LowPass2.jpg
Passing overhead along the crowd line - my guess is that he is 20 - 30ft above the crowd!


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/Biggin%20Hill%20Early%201950s/LowPass3.jpg
Still inverted


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/Biggin%20Hill%20Early%201950s/LowPass4.jpg
Climbing away - still inverted

Apologies for the quality but 8mm cine-film screen grabs are no match when compared to still camera photos

[Groundloop]

Yesterdays American Air force Museum show at Duxford was a disaster for those that frequent the areas south of the airfield during displays.

Well, at least that stops people watching an expensive-to-put-on airshow for free!:ok:

I can remember the very last air show held at Bournemouth Airport back in 1991 when farmers were charging spectators to park in their fields to the south of the airport which resulted in many of the display pilots complaining of the large crowds under their flightpaths. Also the crowds lining the perimeter road got the fright of their lives when the Canberra burst a tyre on landing and careered of the runway towards them!

[El Bunto]

The days of the naughty field are gone I'm afraidNot at all. If you have private land ( say, a garden or a field ) near a display then the 'authorities' can do nothing about prohibiting others from using that land with your permission. Short of going to court for an injunction. After all, I might just happen to have my birthday on the same day as Farnborough's public show and have invited 70 friends around to celebrate...

Accessing such land might require turning-up before road closures are imposed but most enthusiasts won't find that a problem.

Well, at least that stops people watching an expensive-to-put-on airshow for free!Most naughty-field types just won't go in that case. Viewing from inside the show is usually worse, plus all the hassle of those annoying children and wailing commentators. Or vice versa.

[Dockwell]

Not at all. If you have private land ( say, a garden or a field ) near a display then the 'authorities' can do nothing about prohibiting others from using that land with your permission. Short of going to court for an injunction. After all, I might just happen to have my birthday on the same day as Farnborough's public show and have invited 70 friends around to celebrate...

Accessing such land might require turning-up before road closures are imposed but most enthusiasts won't find that a problem.

And thats exactly why the display area at this years Farnborough has been moved, I think you 70 birthday guests are going to be disappointed itf they think they will get close to the action from your back garden ! As for owning a field, if the authorities decide that standing in your field constitutes a danger to yourself then the airshow well be stopped until you leave your field !

[cyflyer]

Well, at least that stops people watching an expensive-to-put-on airshow for free! So I am to believe that you have never watched an airshow or other airplane activities from outside an airport before ?
I've been to both sides of the fence, and a regular at Duxford normal days as I have an annual pass. During airshows, most of the people I saw in the past in the fields were photography enthusiasts, they wanted to get those perfect flying shots. The light from the south side is perfect, inside Duxford its in your face. The view was perfect and unrestricted, inside Duxford most of the crowd line is taken by enclosures of this club or that association etc etc. The crowd line access left for the rest of the public is lapped up within the first few minutes by those that park their camp chairs and 'reserve' their space for the rest of the day, so anyone wanting to do some serious photos can forget it because they cannot get anywhere near the crowd line. Lets not mention the fact that on Sunday, apart from the steep entrance fee (which is due to go up), and all the extras inside, they were also charging for the car park (which I hope does not become a new trend), and also only by pre-booking, no tickets at the gate (also another growing annoying trend). Tough luck if anyone decides to go with you last minute.

Most naughty-field types just won't go in that case. Viewing from inside the show is usually worse, True, for all the reasons above.


The days of the naughty field are gone I'm afraid, Quite true I'm afraid. There's no going back.

Here's one of the one of the spotters in the field at Duxford that caught my eye. I think even he won't be allowed to do this again !
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr327/eurocypria/DSC_1777_1.jpg

[Dockwell]

So I am to believe that you have never watched an airshow or other airplane activities from outside an airport before ?
I've been to both sides of the fence, and a regular at Duxford normal days as I have an annual pass. During airshows, most of the people I saw in the past in the fields were photography enthusiasts, they wanted to get those perfect flying shots. The light from the south side is perfect, inside Duxford its in your face. The view was perfect and unrestricted, inside Duxford most of the crowd line is taken by enclosures of this club or that association etc etc. The crowd line access left for the rest of the public is lapped up within the first few minutes by those that park their camp chairs and 'reserve' their space for the rest of the day, so anyone wanting to do some serious photos can forget it because they cannot get anywhere near the crowd line. Lets not mention the fact that on Sunday, apart from the steep entrance fee (which is due to go up), and all the extras inside, they were also charging for the car park (which I hope does not become a new trend), and also only by pre-booking, no tickets at the gate (also another growing annoying trend). Tough luck if anyone decides to go with you last minute.

The reason the prices have gone up is I believe entirely down to increased insurance costs for after the Shoreham accident, and lets not forget some of those who died in the accident were there to watch the show from outside the field. The whole point of closing roads and "naughty" fields is to stop this ever happening again

[cyflyer]

The whole point of closing roads and "naughty" fields is to stop this ever happening again
I agree with safety. I was at Shoreham, I saw the whole thing. (inside the airshow I must stress !) Not those poor people's fault, but a pilot error. Nothing on the ground can prevent that. But how far do you go to ensure safety ? Technically, the M11 should be shut during displays. Duxford is the only place I would photograph from the field, everywhere else normal. Feel sorry for all those that go yearly to Waddington, seems to be an annual pilgramige judging by the photos and videos online.

[Dockwell]

I heard that now they only land or turn finals over the M11, cant confirm that as didnt go at the weekend. The hunter at shoreham was in effect doing aerobatics over what they are now calling a "secondary crowd" and this is what they are trying to eradicate so that if there is pilot error the pilot will have a big area of nothingness to aim at !

[Warmtoast]

According to a link on the Military Aviation Forum the Royal Aeronautical Society seem to think there's a possibility that The Reds will not be performing aerobatics at FI this year.
See here: http://aerosociety.com/News/Insight-Blog/4451/Farnborough-Air-Show-2016-Preview#gallery[m]/16/ (wlmailhtml:{EFD28ED6-6CCC-4324-8F83-2AD39A0A96BE}mid://00000000/!x-usc:http://aerosociety.com/News/Insight-Blog/4451/Farnborough-Air-Show-2016-Preview#gallery[m]/16/)

[Council Van]

I see that David Austin roses has been forced to close on Sunday for the Cosford air show as it is below the main display area.

Pitty, as the Rose gardens are fantastic, you get a good free view of the display and my lad has just started to show an interest in aviation deciding that he wants to be a fighter pilot.

I guess we will just have to make a trip to the South side at Manchester airport some time and see if I can persuade him that being lowly airline pilot like his dad is something worth aiming for.

[luoto]

Shouldn't the organisers be paying compensation if they are forcing businesses, etc to close?

Closing the canal also feels wrong for several days, especially if one is travelling along it.

Smells like money talks rather than anything else. I could be wrong but the whole "you will close so we protect our revenue stream" sucks.

[Gulf4uk]

full details and Maps are on the Rushmoor councl site . Traffic management

Management of traffic at public events - Rushmoor Borough Council (http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/article/3379/Management-of-traffic-at-public-events)

Tony
farnborough Resident

[G-ARZG]

Buying a trade ticket today, the drop-down box for my occupation says:-

"Maintenance/Repair/Overhall"

Ye gods, youth of today, mutter, moan...:ugh:

[SpringHeeledJack]

Perhaps they meant Maintenance/Repair/Overalls ;)

[pax britanica]

Moving the display west will mean no one sees nuch at all and what about fast run abd break manouvers if west to east they cannot avoid ovrrflying either crowd or lots of houses if east to west anyrun in from the east parallel to runway is again over lots of people or houses. Seems an over reaction to me because the shoreham accident seemed to be mainly caused by old jet old pilot poor planning most of which dontapply at FIA