Yeovilton Airshow 09, NIMROD MR2.
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But I did talk to one of the air traffickers about the show day itself. Apparently the average cloudbase was 800' and often down to 250' - way below the 1000' minima. The so called "clearance gaps" were more like "suckers gaps" as the Reds found out.
But throughout the day there were extensive periods of satisfactory cloudbase, certainly not suckers gaps as you describe them, which were unused because of an unwillingness by the organisers to bring forward displays to fill the gaps left by known cancellations. Had XH558 been rescheduled earlier as soon as it was realised there would be gaps then its hydraulic glitch could have been sorted before the weather finally clamped at the end of the show.
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VL
I was very disappointed not to see XH558 fly, and did think it may have been able to fly at certain times in the day (differing with the official programme, and partly through my desperation to see a Vulcan fly after so many years), but then again, I fully realise aircrew and crowd safety are paramount. The cloud was very low all day, and while the 'reds' did try to perform, at one point (as they passed to the extreme left) one of the aircraft completely disappeared into cloud.
The Rafale looked very agile, despite only being able to perform basic manoeuvres.
So on the whole, even though the show was a huge disappointment, it did serve to remind one of the 'professional' element in 'professional aviator'. There could have been a big demand from the organisers for aircraft to perform, but IMHO the pilots called it right in not performing in the conditions of the day (even though it meant my day was spoiled).
On a different tangent, the overall highlight of the weekend for me, was in the FAA museum on Sunday, when I was 'transferring' to the carrier in the mock up Wessex, and one of the passengers said to her boyfriend "So is this the harrier?"
I was going to point out the Sea Harrier many PPRuNer's say is really a GR3, only to find there are now two Sea Harriers in the museum, an FRS1 and an FA2!
I am now wondering whether to bother with RIAT this year, as it will mean another day off work, and another chance to possibly not see a Vulcan fly.
The Rafale looked very agile, despite only being able to perform basic manoeuvres.
So on the whole, even though the show was a huge disappointment, it did serve to remind one of the 'professional' element in 'professional aviator'. There could have been a big demand from the organisers for aircraft to perform, but IMHO the pilots called it right in not performing in the conditions of the day (even though it meant my day was spoiled).
On a different tangent, the overall highlight of the weekend for me, was in the FAA museum on Sunday, when I was 'transferring' to the carrier in the mock up Wessex, and one of the passengers said to her boyfriend "So is this the harrier?"
I was going to point out the Sea Harrier many PPRuNer's say is really a GR3, only to find there are now two Sea Harriers in the museum, an FRS1 and an FA2!
I am now wondering whether to bother with RIAT this year, as it will mean another day off work, and another chance to possibly not see a Vulcan fly.
Is it true that Rafale (and a Naval version at that) did perform at this Fleet Air Arm show - and an RAF Typhoon didn't/couldn't? Was that really allowed to happen? Quite some ammunition that....
JFZ
Nice fishing trip!
A sensible reply would be that the weather was so changeable the Rafale was lucky with its timing.
Or the Typhoon pilot was being professional wheras the Rafale pilot was flying in his stetson and spurs!
Did the GR9 fly?
Nice fishing trip!
A sensible reply would be that the weather was so changeable the Rafale was lucky with its timing.
Or the Typhoon pilot was being professional wheras the Rafale pilot was flying in his stetson and spurs!
Did the GR9 fly?
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From what I heard on the radio the Rafale pilot was very professional and spent most of the time giving cloud base information. He was the highlight of a very disappointing day for me. One day I will get to see that XH558 fly.
Sea Vixen was also a highlight.
Sea Vixen was also a highlight.
Last edited by bugbirdhughes; 13th Jul 2009 at 19:47.
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I was very disappointed not to see XH558 fly, and did think it may have been able to fly at certain times in the day (differing with the official programme,
but IMHO the pilots called it right in not performing in the conditions of the day
Very easy to criticise the home team but with such a changeable cloudbase re-ordering the display would have been chaotic and probably dangerous. is there any one from the FCC on the forum to comment?
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According to Twitter the vulcan did not fly as there was no Marshalls rep to sign off the books after the hyd problem.
The Flying Control Committee called the shots, not the pilots. IMHO the FCC did a brilliant job in challenging conditions
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As I understand it the aircraft started (she was right in front of us) and was on-target to meet her slot, which had already been brought forward. Unfortunately the hyd problem became apparent and she was forced to shut down.
The problem was resolved but the weather by this time had worsened (it was marginal earlier anyway) and there was no way she could display, so they therefore towed her over to the static line-up.
Not sure there is any great conspiracy here...........
The problem was resolved but the weather by this time had worsened (it was marginal earlier anyway) and there was no way she could display, so they therefore towed her over to the static line-up.
Not sure there is any great conspiracy here...........
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Pheasant
Originally by Pheasant
Very easy to criticise the home team but with such a changeable cloudbase re-ordering the display would have been chaotic and probably dangerous. is there any one from the FCC on the forum to comment?
I wasn't criticising anyone.
As for the pilots not calling the shots, somehow I think they may have had some say in whether they flew or not, as in the case with the Seakings deciding to fast rope rather than para drop their marines, and the reds deciding not to continue for example.
Are you sure 2 x F16's flew?
re ordering the display would have been chaotic, and probably dangerous?, you have lost me there I'm afraid (bearing in mind it could have been for better visibility, and in the same practised airspace, and with only one display at a time. Not to mention the flypro was not followed anyway).
Very easy to criticise the home team but with such a changeable cloudbase re-ordering the display would have been chaotic and probably dangerous. is there any one from the FCC on the forum to comment?
I wasn't criticising anyone.
As for the pilots not calling the shots, somehow I think they may have had some say in whether they flew or not, as in the case with the Seakings deciding to fast rope rather than para drop their marines, and the reds deciding not to continue for example.
Are you sure 2 x F16's flew?
re ordering the display would have been chaotic, and probably dangerous?, you have lost me there I'm afraid (bearing in mind it could have been for better visibility, and in the same practised airspace, and with only one display at a time. Not to mention the flypro was not followed anyway).
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As Beagle, OM15 and AlbertDriver have already commented, the Vulcan snag was sorted and she was ready to fly, but the weather had closed in. This was confirmed to me, separately, by a ground crew and a flight crew member.
The shame is that due to the Tannoy announcements made at the time, most of the paying public left thinking that it was an unserviceability issue that had prevented the display. It was noticeable that a large section of the crowd packed up and left as soon as the no-fly announcement was made.
Pheasant,
I think only the Belgian F-16 flew.
The shame is that due to the Tannoy announcements made at the time, most of the paying public left thinking that it was an unserviceability issue that had prevented the display. It was noticeable that a large section of the crowd packed up and left as soon as the no-fly announcement was made.
Pheasant,
I think only the Belgian F-16 flew.
yeovilton
only the belgian f-16 flew and it wasn't bad considering the cloud base. the rafale display was impressive too.
for anyone that hadn't been to yeovilton before (like myself) there was plenty of other stuff to see despite the weather causing grief with the flying displays. the static display was ok, but the museum was very good and well worth visiting. the carrier deck hall and especially seeing G-BSST and a P.1127 were the highlights of my day to be honest.
if the vulcan's serviceability / attendance record has taught anyone anything, it should be to not go to an airshow solely to see it fly. half the time you will be disappointed. apologies to VST people on here i don't mean it to sound like criticism. I own an old car and it's forever giving me grief, so i understand the u/s issues to an extent!
What saved Waddington for me was the static display and maybe the Eurofighter (only because i've seen it fly loads of times, it's more about the sound than anything else). Never been inside a KC-135 or E-3 before and it was great chatting to the crews and having a laugh with them.
With air shows there will always be cancellations, make sure there's something else you can fill your time with instead of leaving early in a huff
for anyone that hadn't been to yeovilton before (like myself) there was plenty of other stuff to see despite the weather causing grief with the flying displays. the static display was ok, but the museum was very good and well worth visiting. the carrier deck hall and especially seeing G-BSST and a P.1127 were the highlights of my day to be honest.
if the vulcan's serviceability / attendance record has taught anyone anything, it should be to not go to an airshow solely to see it fly. half the time you will be disappointed. apologies to VST people on here i don't mean it to sound like criticism. I own an old car and it's forever giving me grief, so i understand the u/s issues to an extent!
What saved Waddington for me was the static display and maybe the Eurofighter (only because i've seen it fly loads of times, it's more about the sound than anything else). Never been inside a KC-135 or E-3 before and it was great chatting to the crews and having a laugh with them.
With air shows there will always be cancellations, make sure there's something else you can fill your time with instead of leaving early in a huff
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But this Yeovilton Air Day was sold as celebrating 100 Years of Naval Aviation. Yet most of the key Naval aircraft were not there and many would not have been there even if the weather had been perfect.
The Sea Fury with covers on and no engine out in the static park on such an important occasion pretty much summed up the day (and the attitude). Yes there is a good museum but most of those interested in Naval aviation had been there (many times) before. They paid to see airworthy Naval aircraft. If the weather prevented them flying that's unfortunate, but they should have been prepared and they should have been present.
That's the main reason it was such a rubbish show, not just the poor weather and the unfortunate problem with the Vulcan.
The Sea Fury with covers on and no engine out in the static park on such an important occasion pretty much summed up the day (and the attitude). Yes there is a good museum but most of those interested in Naval aviation had been there (many times) before. They paid to see airworthy Naval aircraft. If the weather prevented them flying that's unfortunate, but they should have been prepared and they should have been present.
That's the main reason it was such a rubbish show, not just the poor weather and the unfortunate problem with the Vulcan.
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Yes it was disappointing but my major moan is that too many " carers " were allowed into the disabled compound. One young lad nearby had nine family members with him and they, and every other " able bodied " persons, insisted on standing up each time an aircraft was heard. Despite many polite, and abusive, attempts to get these people to sit down and stop blocking the view of those of us confined to wheelchairs the pleas fell on deaf ears and provoked looks of " stuff you mate I'll stand if I want to! ". We don't ask for much in life and don't wish to inconvenience others with our disabilities but this was " our compound " very graciously provided by HMS Heron and the afternoon was ruined. I managed a total of 12 photogrphs all afternoon and 10 of those were after the Vulcan failed to appear and the " enthusiasts " left early. I was very sorry to hear that they got stuck in the car parks aahhh!! 
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I was lucky enough to see the full Rafale rehearsal the day before the show and it was certainly the most agile jet i have seen display (without thrust vectoring).
On the show day the Rafale pilot wanted to check the weather out (cloud base etc) and so made a big effort to get as much of a display as he could with the conditions.
The RAF Typhoon didn't leave the spot it was parked on. Nor did the Dutch F16.
Highlight of the Friday arrivals was one of the Rafales landing on the grass and thumping the start of the runway
with tyre marks and lots of smoke!
Not to mention the Maritime Lynx display (now seperate from the assault demo) which to everyones surprise, two of them popping loads of flares out (something they didn't even do on the show day!).
Here is the Vulcan arriving on Friday
On the show day the Rafale pilot wanted to check the weather out (cloud base etc) and so made a big effort to get as much of a display as he could with the conditions.
The RAF Typhoon didn't leave the spot it was parked on. Nor did the Dutch F16.
Highlight of the Friday arrivals was one of the Rafales landing on the grass and thumping the start of the runway
with tyre marks and lots of smoke!Not to mention the Maritime Lynx display (now seperate from the assault demo) which to everyones surprise, two of them popping loads of flares out (something they didn't even do on the show day!).
Here is the Vulcan arriving on Friday
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Razor 61, great photos, the aircraft really looks as good as new.
I agree with Albert Driver, as a Navy Open Day it was ok, brass bands, gun teams, fudge stalls, lots of porto loos, all this was organised very well.
The event was advertised as an Air Day, given that the location was the West Country and some of the participants were elderly, it could be easily predicted that things would not go to plan, especially as the weather reports were extremely accurate well in advance.
There did not appear to be any form of contingency plan, also in some cases flying aircraft did not really display at all, the Chinook took off and just disappeared, the Skyraider took off, a swift pass and then away, both these aircraft could have spent a few more minutes in front of the crowd.
The Rafale, F16 and Sea Vixen showed the RN how it should be done, the only section of the Air Day that carried out the task regardless of the weather and managed to stay serviceable was the civilian commercially operated joy ride helicopters, all four (five?) were fully operational all day.
Perhaps the RN could celebrate future events by contracting the flying display out to civilian and foreign operators?
BR om15
I agree with Albert Driver, as a Navy Open Day it was ok, brass bands, gun teams, fudge stalls, lots of porto loos, all this was organised very well.
The event was advertised as an Air Day, given that the location was the West Country and some of the participants were elderly, it could be easily predicted that things would not go to plan, especially as the weather reports were extremely accurate well in advance.
There did not appear to be any form of contingency plan, also in some cases flying aircraft did not really display at all, the Chinook took off and just disappeared, the Skyraider took off, a swift pass and then away, both these aircraft could have spent a few more minutes in front of the crowd.
The Rafale, F16 and Sea Vixen showed the RN how it should be done, the only section of the Air Day that carried out the task regardless of the weather and managed to stay serviceable was the civilian commercially operated joy ride helicopters, all four (five?) were fully operational all day.
Perhaps the RN could celebrate future events by contracting the flying display out to civilian and foreign operators?
BR om15
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As an Air Day it was a pale shadow of former glories alright, though thankfully grog avail in the right places as usual.
Fair enough RNHF kit all broken but could have at least put them on static display - the Swordfish was even parked outside on southside for at least part of Saturday.
Fair enough RNHF kit all broken but could have at least put them on static display - the Swordfish was even parked outside on southside for at least part of Saturday.
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Still there...
Went past Yeovilton this morning and saw the Vulcan next to the FAA Museum (an new addition??) and then this afternoon it was over the other side of the air field - covers on.