How was the RAF Waddington Airshow?

[Sentry Agitator]

Electric Sheep

Why should it worry you that there was a degree of risk? There is always a degree of risk which is measured at all times when trying to put flying machines in the air. IT IS NORMAL

MC7 purely states that because the weather was worse than perfect, the risk factor increased....is that really a surprise? All display crews have alternate plans to cater for such appalling weather conditions (even the Reds) and the captains of the TRIAD merely exercised sound judgemental reasoning to keep themselves and the public safe.

Now come on and give us some credit will you?

SA...slightly miffed

MC7--well done mate

[Talking Radalt]

However, what I fail to understand is why the Airshow could continue given the fact that the national terror threat level was raised to critical

Probably because the latest brand of extremist nutcase isn't really interested in targeting one-off airshows. All that'll do is put people off airshows and that's hardly gonna crumble the nation's economy/safety/confidence is it?
Put people off flying/tube trains/motorways etc and you have far, far more impact.
Gone are the days where the military and Govt alone are the targets.

you had the weather forecast, surely you could see that yesterday should have been cancelled and gone for it today ?

Ermmmm, how would not holding the show yesterday in any way have affected the sheer amount of water dumped on Lincolnshire in the last 24 hours and thus the suitably of the site for a public event today?
Speaking to those who were there it appears although Waddo was reasonably dry and certainly able to entertain some aviation, the surrounding areas were literally up to their necks in it and this is why Fireman Sam and PC Plod had to divert resources elsewhere and couldn't commit to Waddington.
Any mass-public event requires a minimum commitment from all three civvy services, and what with other unforeseen events it seems there just weren't enough to go round.
Ground safety is just as much a player at these things as flight safety.
Fair play to the Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Ballsy decision given the financial/PR implications but the right one no doubt.

[PICKS135]

Why stop the Airshow because of Terrorist outrages.
Leuchars Airshow went ahead on 15th September 2001. 4 days after a bigger outrage than what we have seen this week.
Cancelling all leisure pursuits because of things like this plays into the hands of these imbeciles.

[electric.sheep]

Sentry,

Sorry, but the post implied a degree of risk "in order to put on at least some sort of display". That should never be the driver.

I'm sure everything complied with the weather limits for air displays as laid down in JSP 550 and CAP 403, so I'm clearly well out of order.

[groveaviation]

Nor will the organisers be obliged to refund any entrance monies, should the event for which the ticket grants admission not take place or be curtailed."

Fortunately didn't get round to buying tickets in advance, and was turned away at the gate this morning. However, would have enjoyed seeing how that clause would stand up in a court of law. It's one thing covering yourself incase some items don't happen (say the Reds don't perform), quite another to sell tickets for a, subsequently, cancelled event.

[Sentry Agitator]

Appreciation???

Folks - I understand your concerns over refunds but surely you have to agree that with the weather forecast to get worse before lunchtime, it was a good idea to try and clear the airfield before vehicles started to sink even deeper with the impending downpours? Can you imagine the carnage if thousands of people had queued for refunds and then tried to leave?

Please be patient? Yes the weather was awful yesterday but more so overnight. Yes there were notes posted to say that the airfield didn't expect any probs with drainage and ordinarily we wouldn't have.....but the weather seems to have caught alot of organisations out hasn't it?

The weather last night when we were all tucked up in bed was worse than anticipated and the ground having been given a pounding this last week was saturated. It didn't make for a good recipe.

However, the biggest issue as previously mentioned, was that because of the increased risk to the local population areas, the emergency services were required elsewhere. Quite rightly, the priorities were taken out of the Show managers hands. We can't put on a show if we don't have the emergency cover FULL STOP!

It takes a year for the staff to try and put on a decent show for the enthusiasts and the posts I've read on this thread are really disappointing. What is more upsetting is that nobody has given any thought to the lads and lasses who were stuck outside in the appalling weather trying to do their best for 'Joe' whether that be getting them in or out. The majority end up working for 2 weeks without much of a break at all doing their normal duty, followed by extra tasks, to try and make the event as pleasurable for the public as possible.

I for one think they deserve better!

SA

[Beeayeate]

Sentry

Top post that man.

[mutleyfour]

Been to a few waddo Air Shows but (thankfully) couldnt make it this year. A difficult and sad decision but it sounds to me that it was the right one.

[stillin]

I think you will find that only a small percentage of the profits go to charity!

[motherbird]

If as we are told global warming is happening, does it mean that our summers will become warmer and wetter? If so, will we get a dry season later in year when air shows could be put on with less risk of cancellation?

[Safety_Helmut]

Well put Sentry Agitator, yes, people have worked very hard to put the show on. I should know better, I've been there doing it myself. Just left after 23 years, and have done an airshow or two, in bad weather too, but probably not as bad as Saturdays.
As for you mightycrewseven, you ignorant c~cksucker, the thread asked for opinions, I gave mine, didn't abuse anyone, obviously upset you though you sanctimoniuos pr!ck. Just offered an opinion, yes, tickets were free, first one I have ever seen for free without working though.
I can only imagine what it's like being on your crew, must be some stunning discussions with a w@nker like you !
S_H

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

National Disgrace

What were the planners thinking? An ISTAR triad without a Sea King? Disgraceful. Sea Kings come under AO ISTAR => ISTAR asset.

The Sea King is the RAF's only true swing-role asset: ISTAR and SAR. This was ably demonstrated last year in the Falklands when a Sea King crew, taking part in a night-time exercise, successfully used the IR camera to direct the QRF (which it had dropped off moments earlier) into a blue-on-blue with another patrol...and was then called in for casevac! Priceless, many red faces all round...

[OHP 15M]

T Radalt,

BBC news reports:

There is heightened security and a heavy police presence at Wembley Stadium, where up to 63,000 people are attending the memorial concert for Diana, Princess of Wales. Security is also to be stepped up at the Wimbledon Championships, in south-west London, when the tennis tournament resumes on Monday.


So are you saying this reaction to a critical threat is also not warranted? All this would do is put people off Wembley concerts and Wimbledon - that's hardly gonna crumble the the nation's economy/safety/confidence is it?

[Talking Radalt]

So are you saying this reaction to a critical threat is also not warranted?

No and that's not what I suggested.
My point is, to suggest Waddo was cancelled entirely on "Security" grounds is ludicrous.
Other (higher) profile events carry on (not quite regardless but they carry on) as you have so correctly pointed out. An appropriate reaction is to visibly increase security, not just drop everything and cancel. That, surely, equates to running away bravely?

[OHP 15M]

I totally agree with you, i.e. that an appropriate reaction would have been to visibly increase security, but would question whether this was done at the Airshow. My real point is that there should have been some 'visible' reaction rather than none.

[Talking Radalt]

I think you're missing it.
As far as I can make out the Feds and Firemen were needed more urgently elsewhere to deal with flooding so Waddo, which was already looking iffy due to a waterlogged pitch, fell by the way side.
Glasgow, Jeeps and flaming ar$eholes had nothing to do with it. Had the show gone ahead I'm pretty certain s'curity would've been stepped up and any Cherokees would've been directed to the outer reaches of the field.

[Flying_Anorak]

As one of those who listened to the forecast on Friday and chose to make my annual pilgrimage at 'Oh dark thirty' this morning from London to Waddington and learned of the cancellation when only a few miles away, I have to say I was bitterly disappointed and slightly suspicious of the reason given on BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
There was a lot of speculation on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and amongst other 'displaced' airshow goers found scattered around Lincolnshire and the East Coast resorts of Skeggie & Mabelthorpe later today that the weather was a convenient 'cover story'. I really hope this was not the case as I'd hate to think that we have now started hiding away and giving way to these nutters!

I sent a text to the aforementioned radio station's morning chat programme which was speculating as to the "real" reason why the show was cancelled suggesting that they shut up and stop giving these terrorists the oxygen of publicity they crave. Funnily enough, it wasn't read out that I heard!

I can understand the harsh decision that was taken if the requisite emergency services cover had been withdrawn but why not say that, suggesting it was due in the main to toilets not being serviced does sound frankly daft!
Its a shame that I didn't get to see the IAF Flankers and Candid and my commiserations to those who worked so hard (personal friends included) to almost make today happen! Still, at least I got to see what the East Coast Tourist board has to offer visitors.....

Roll on RIAT and I hope the toilet contractors have tracked vehicles and plenty of loo roll, just in case....

[JNo]

As someone who took an aircraft into Waddo this weekend, it may interest those conspiracy theorists amongst this thread to know that the whole weekend has been in doubt for most of the week due to the weather forecast and current flooding levels.

[syncro_single]

Thanks

As somebody who was at Waddo on the Saturday with an aircraft I would like to say thanks to the guys in the hosting tent, boiling hot food and great service with a smile.
Thanks

[Wader2]

Originally Posted by Sentry Agitator

probs with drainage and ordinarily we wouldn't have.....but the weather seems to have caught alot of organisations out hasn't it?

SA, please see PM.