West Sale airshow- what was it like?

[airspace alpha]

Just curious. We were going to go but not so good vis on Sunday and W Sale departure times/sunset returning home not great for a VFR aircraft. Also cost even for visiting aircraft was a bit stiff. Looking at the images on mywebcams it didn't seem like there was a lot there- either planes or people but in fairness airshow would have been nearer the museum which is not covered by cameras. Was it worthwhile for those who went?

[Squawk7700]

You hit the nail spot on the head about the departure times. The display was done by 230 but they said you couldn’t leave until 4pm… Pretty certain that that let aircraft leave early though from what I heard. That was a big issue for many potential visitors. I dare say that only half a dozen aircraft flew in as I couldn’t see any other than a few GA aircraft that were on display.

Thoughts? I felt it was more of an airshow for the general public rather than pilots. Paul Bennett and crew did a great job as per usual with all their aircraft and flying, plus the roulettes did a nice job in the 21’s. There was a Spartan in attendance too, however for an airport used for raaf training only 2 minutes flight from a raaf base, you’d think that there could have been more involvement from the raaf, like perhaps a Hawk flyby as à minimum… that was disappointing.

Jeff Trappet flew the Sabre which was good to see but the Mustang was noticeably absent on Saturday at least.

Some logistical issues in that the area was a bit small for the number of people, on par with Avalon cramping, toilets were placed in the middle of the viewing area and smelt, some GA aircraft were parked in front of the viewing area which blocked the low level display. The grass was also too long and hard to see the Pitts and Motorbike stunt. I suspect the issue was that it was too wet to cut the grass and extent the crown area too far beyond the bitumen.

PS, nothing on the webcams as it was all down the other end as you have noted.

[Squawk7700]

https://youtu.be/x00PIqo4atc

[layman]

Squawk7700

Impressive (to me at least) - both the display and the camera work.

Some months back I was fortunate to see a solo PC-21 practice display at West Sale (audience of two - myself and a recently arrived medi-helicopter pilot). This was a much more agile (aggressive) display.


As for numbers, I wasn't there so have no idea but ... what would normally be a 15 minute drive, took one family in Sale an hour to get in and parked.

I've heard attendance figures of 5,000 on the Saturday to 15,000 overall. A couple of photos I saw did seem to indicate a reasonable crowd.

[megan]

grass was also too longFound it a pleasant day out, beautiful weather, agree with the aircraft parked on the crowd line blocking the view and long grass obscuring the runway and associated take off/landings, crowd line far removed from the runway in any event. Organiser said today attendance was 10,000 overall and the grass is unable to be mowed because it is of some rare native variety subject to some sort of heritage conservation order.

My thanks to the T-28 crew who allowed this ex aviator of same to renew his acquaintance.

[Duck Pilot]

It’s great to hear that the airshow went well, apart from the WX issues for some trying to get there.

We need more of these events now.

[Sunfish]

Re: The apparent lack of RAAF participation. I’ve heard a suggestion that international events and tensions might be a reason…

[Squawk7700]

Re: The apparent lack of RAAF participation. I’ve heard a suggestion that international events and tensions might be a reason…

Who told you that Sunfish, was it "they"? I'd like to meet "they" one day as "they" appear to be quite knowledgeable.

The reason why there are were no jets there, is that jets are not based at the East Sale RAAF base, so it's a costly logistical exercise to get one or more of them down there. Add to that the base is not at the required security level to allow an F35 (as an example) to stay there. One has refueled there in the past, but it was just passing through. It also makes a difference if an airshow is being hosted for charity or financial reward.

[tossbag]

There's a fair bit of upgrade work going on there right? Isn't it going to be an overflow for the RAAF?

[Squawk7700]

There's a fair bit of upgrade work going on there right? Isn't it going to be an overflow for the RAAF?

Done and dusted. Upgrades done and RAAF regularly use it. Not to say that more aren’t coming.

[tossbag]

:ok:

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