Historic Helicopters open day 13th Aug?

[welshwaffu]

I was looking forward to this open day (accommodation booked and paid for) but received an email on Friday informing me that the whole thing had been scrubbed due to 'insurmountable issues'. Nothing on FB or web site! Anyone here have any intel on what's happened?

Cheers, Marty:{

[md 600 driver]

I am booked in there on Saturday I have not received any email cancelling the day

steve

[welshwaffu]

Hi Steve,
This is what I've received from one of the air crew -

"Ladies & Gentlemen, as a result of a number of complex and insurmountable issues; the Air Display for 2022 is CANCELLED with immediate effect. This is out of my hands and hope to see you all next year ? . Scott"

Scott R Hewson

[md 600 driver]

Confirmed cancelled

[welshwaffu]

Unlike last year it can't be the weather forecast. Is this a CAA problem? Have they and all their machines been called up? Maybe there's no jet A1 left?
Dun no.
Marty

[luckyrat]

That’s a shame 😿
However, I was once qualified as a pilot on the Scout, Gazelle, Lynx and more recently the S61n. So if anyone will lend me any of those, or all! Im sure I could put on a show 😻
I do suggest as a health and safety measure you all stand well back 😹

[NutLoose]

Cock... I have a ticket... :(

Link below says not economically viable, as in not enough ticket sales one would imagine.

https://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=926773#p926773

[welshwaffu]

I think ticket sales must well down on pervious years due to the increase in road fuel costs. Also, I wonder how much AVTUR is per litre these days?
Marty

[Herod]

My brother is over from Australia, and we both had tickets. Disappointing, but I guess there were good reasons. maybe next year.

[dead_pan]

Having been to an event before, I wouldn't be surprised if the local council or the event's insurers pulled the plug. Access is a bit of a nightmare.

[md 600 driver]

Having been to an event before, I wouldn't be surprised if the local council or the event's insurers pulled the plug. Access is a bit of a nightmare.

this place is run by a charity funded by someone who is a aviation nut Andrew Whitehouse he is never ever going to make a profit from these helicopters which have all been well used by the military and disposed of never to fly again
I think he ought to be applauded for making these helicopters fly again and allowing others to come and look
and for what ever reason it is cancelled I don’t think it was made lightly the amount of work and money that has gone already into this cancelled event must be in the thousands

thank you Andrew Whitehouse and the whole team for your efforts
and please don’t get put off by the keyboard warriors out there your all doing a fantastic job

steve atherton

[NutLoose]

Totally and utterly agree. :ok:

[SASless]

Having been involved in similar but different efforts like the one Whitehouse is attempting to do.....I know only too well how many problems there are to overcome.

Not only is the sheer financial cost such a tremendous expense...but the toll that officialdom takes upon those endeavoring to put historic aircraft back in the air can be soul destroying even for those who have a strong and good Heart.

As noted by MD 600....we should applaud those who are contributing so much to the Helicopter Industry, the Military, and all that means to us that have were participants in the. making of that history.

So....I too applaud Whtiehouse and his entire Team for their good efforts and offer them my sympathies for having to cancel a very much looked for event.

As an aside to the Historic Aircraft situation.....I was associated with Phil Connolly and his team when Huey 509 was being introduced to the UK.

One of the things I did was to apply the markings and decals to the aircraft so that it would have the appearance it did while it was assigned to the 129th Assault Helicopter Company during the Vietnam War.

I suggested to Phil that it would be a nice gesture to display the names of the Unit's KIA's and one MIA and he immediately agreed.

Those names are on the Sliding Cabin Doors....and have been seen by literally. thousands of people when they view the aircraft during displays.

Keeping historical aircraft flying is real contribution to aviation history....and is not a very common thing as helicopters are so expensive to maintain and operate.

That makes these efforts so unique and so special and all of us in the Helicopter World need to support them the best we can.

From a personal view point....when I stood back and looked at the Huey with those names showing on the door....it was a special moment for me.....a tribute to Men who flew into battle in helicopters.

[welshwaffu]

this place is run by a charity funded by someone who is a aviation nut Andrew Whitehouse he is never ever going to make a profit from these helicopters which have all been well used by the military and disposed of never to fly again
I think he ought to be applauded for making these helicopters fly again and allowing others to come and look
and for what ever reason it is cancelled I don’t think it was made lightly the amount of work and money that has gone already into this cancelled event must be in the thousands

thank you Andrew Whitehouse and the whole team for your efforts
and please don’t get put off by the keyboard warriors out there your all doing a fantastic job

steve atherton

Here, here Steve,
I and two of my fellow RC scale Westland enthusiasts have been very happy to support Andrew's open days this last 5 years and have been amazed at what he and his fantastic team have achieved. Here we are basking in reflected glory at the 2017 opening.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/845x476/team_westland_2_1f6c0e3806e18e89ea58751aa69d8b1cc60f0831.jpg
Scratch built 1/8th scale RC Westland helicopters.
Cheers, Marty

[dead_pan]

this place is run by a charity funded by someone who is a aviation nut Andrew Whitehouse he is never ever going to make a profit from these helicopters which have all been well used by the military and disposed of never to fly again
I think he ought to be applauded for making these helicopters fly again and allowing others to come and look
and for what ever reason it is cancelled I don’t think it was made lightly the amount of work and money that has gone already into this cancelled event must be in the thousands

thank you Andrew Whitehouse and the whole team for your efforts
and please don’t get put off by the keyboard warriors out there your all doing a fantastic job

steve atherton

Calm down fella. I'm not disparaging what they do - far from it. Just saying the site isn't really set up for public events (IMO)

[[email protected]]

Not only is the sheer financial cost such a tremendous expense...but the toll that officialdom takes upon those endeavoring to put historic aircraft back in the air can be soul destroying even for those who have a strong and good Heart. Except in this case the CAA has been enormously supportive at every stage of getting these lovely aircraft back in the air and I have personally had fast and efficient answers to any questions and applications I have made, allowing me - thanks to Andrew - to fly Lynx, Sea King and Wessex again.

[SimonPaddo]

Maybe next time someone could kind heartedly offer a more conducive venue for Andrew to show off his great work? I think all would appreciate such an offer.

[SASless]

The CAA is only a small part of the Officialdom of which I speak.....and it is not limited to just the UK for sure.

[heli1]

The Helicopter Museum up the road at Weston super Mare has offered its new enlarged heliport as a venue with a split in profits and provision of ground staff etc,but may be too late for this year??

[welshwaffu]

Hmm, a stones throw from hotels, eateries, camp site and the M5. What's not to like?:D