Avalon Air Show - Waste Of Time
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Avalon, some cricket and a beer or three
I am hearing from a number of suppliers that they won't be providing stalls or people for the show, due to a continued downturn in their section of the industry.
It's a shame as Avalon creates a great opportunity to network with key industry stakeholders, even some old mates! There are even a few punters here on PPRune who enjoy the opportunity to catch up, revel in outrageous stories and have a game of cricket
However for those less spirited and 'mean' characters at the pointy end they simply won't be able to afford the trip. Sad really!
It's a shame as Avalon creates a great opportunity to network with key industry stakeholders, even some old mates! There are even a few punters here on PPRune who enjoy the opportunity to catch up, revel in outrageous stories and have a game of cricket
However for those less spirited and 'mean' characters at the pointy end they simply won't be able to afford the trip. Sad really!
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Maybe the newer more GA accessible Fly In would be a better venue for those who are not as well served by a big event like Avalon? Even better when you can camp out with your mates, enjoy the great food and relaxed atmosphere from the aero clubs etc. It is not for everyone, but it is growing and far less costly.
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...er-2013-a.html
Are you going? I am
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...er-2013-a.html
Are you going? I am
Oshkosh and Avalon are chalk and cheese. Avalon isessentially a high-end military/commercial trade show- its primary purpose,with an airshow for the public at the end. AirVenture is a trade show and gathering for aviators- very few “general public” attend. Witness the fact that there is no fence line. Just a line of mown grass that everyone stands behind because they all get the fact that you don’t intrude onto a runway.
And as usual it was excellent even allowing for the fact theUSAF didn’t turn up and the FAA had a huge hissy fit regarding costs. But theymade one mistake: the “star” attraction was the swiss rocketman. The promotional video was amazing, showing him keeping station with the B17. But the reality was he was hoisted by helicopter to 6,500 feet and all we saw was a tiny blackdot zipping around the sky, then he popped his chute at 3,000 feet and the onlygood bit was watching him land on his nose. The general comments of “what inthe sheeeeeiit was that all about?” were running hard and fast. Please Avalon,if you are offered this gentleman please discreetly decline.
And as usual it was excellent even allowing for the fact theUSAF didn’t turn up and the FAA had a huge hissy fit regarding costs. But theymade one mistake: the “star” attraction was the swiss rocketman. The promotional video was amazing, showing him keeping station with the B17. But the reality was he was hoisted by helicopter to 6,500 feet and all we saw was a tiny blackdot zipping around the sky, then he popped his chute at 3,000 feet and the onlygood bit was watching him land on his nose. The general comments of “what inthe sheeeeeiit was that all about?” were running hard and fast. Please Avalon,if you are offered this gentleman please discreetly decline.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
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You cannot compare Oshkosh with Avalon, they are two totally different animals, simple as that.
Arranging an air show in the Northern hemisphere and particularly the USA is usually a doddle, now bring that to Australia, the Southern hemisphere, and look at your logistics problems alone, there is absolutely no comparison.
An Oshkosh size and style of show in Australia would cost at least five times as much as a present day Oshkosh.
(EDIT: Post crossed with one above).
Arranging an air show in the Northern hemisphere and particularly the USA is usually a doddle, now bring that to Australia, the Southern hemisphere, and look at your logistics problems alone, there is absolutely no comparison.
An Oshkosh size and style of show in Australia would cost at least five times as much as a present day Oshkosh.
(EDIT: Post crossed with one above).
Last edited by parabellum; 29th Aug 2013 at 00:14.
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No-one is comparing the shows, they simply don't compare.
What I'm trying to get through is the ATTITUDE
Oshkosh is for the people. They pay money to get in and for that money they get value. They get treated with respect, they don't get the assumption of being a criminal that must be barricaded 200, sometimes 500 metres away from the display.
If Avalon is a trade show why are they taking the common man's money? The public should be so lucky that the Avalon organisers allow them in. There's a lot of back slapping, officious garbage that goes on there. I'm not talking about the ground crew, they were excellent to deal with.
What I'm trying to get through is the ATTITUDE
Oshkosh is for the people. They pay money to get in and for that money they get value. They get treated with respect, they don't get the assumption of being a criminal that must be barricaded 200, sometimes 500 metres away from the display.
If Avalon is a trade show why are they taking the common man's money? The public should be so lucky that the Avalon organisers allow them in. There's a lot of back slapping, officious garbage that goes on there. I'm not talking about the ground crew, they were excellent to deal with.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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As far as USAF and ADF are concerned they set the distance for the barriers not the air show organisers. At the 2013 show the barriers from the F22 were the furthest from any aircraft and nothing like 200m. Which displays are you referring to?
Not with you there, can you amplify please, how does this 'back slapping' and 'officious garbage' effect or disadvantage you?
There's a lot of back slapping, officious garbage that goes on there.
Last edited by parabellum; 31st Aug 2013 at 02:27. Reason: spelling
I've had this thought for a while now and having been to all avalons and a few oshkosh's, I think our show needs an enema!
Couldn't the trade component move from Avalon to jeffs shed where the facilities are world class not third world, most of the aircraft that come anyway for the trade show are assembled from crates so no real change, then have an arvo airshow off the port Melbourne shore which is 15 mins by tram from Jeffs shed which would get greater Melbourne involved and interested and then run the normal 3 day family event at Avalon which could be a ga/ raaf military show
Couldn't the trade component move from Avalon to jeffs shed where the facilities are world class not third world, most of the aircraft that come anyway for the trade show are assembled from crates so no real change, then have an arvo airshow off the port Melbourne shore which is 15 mins by tram from Jeffs shed which would get greater Melbourne involved and interested and then run the normal 3 day family event at Avalon which could be a ga/ raaf military show
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Not a bad idea at all:
The CEO,
Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition,
Air Shows Down Under,
PO BOX 4095,
Geelong 3220.
The CEO,
Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition,
Air Shows Down Under,
PO BOX 4095,
Geelong 3220.
Thread Starter
Strangely enough, I was allowed to poke around under the b52 in the actual bomb bay and wheel wells on the Thursday. I guess I could have been in the cockpit if I'd asked. Very friendly guys.
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Avalon 2013
We spent two days at Avalon 2013, and thoroughly enjoyed most of it. We purchased Gold Pass Tickets, which although expensive were great as we were able to pick our seats, and we had access to private drink, food, and toilet facilities, this also included large marquis where you could retreat from the intense sun (They did supply unlimited sunscreen and caps as part of the package).
We tried to look through the exhibitors sites, but found them to be too crowded, which is nothing unusual for this type of public/trade show, so we gave up.
The main reason for being at Avalon for us, was to see the Raptor, and the Super Hornets, which was well worth it, especially as we will never see the American operated aircraft in our country due to our "No Nuclear" policy which the USA does not like. Also, I believe that nothing beats the P51 Mustang, my favourite plane of all time.
We enjoyed most of the displays, both static and active with the exception of the wing walking, which we thought went on for way to long becoming boring. We thought there were probably more aerobatics displays than needed making the show drag in places (A good time to retreat to the drinks area). We were very disappointed at only seeing one helicopter flying display, and also to have a B52 sitting static rather than doing a flying display especially after it being flown all the way to Avalon.
We stayed in Melbourne, and used the special Airshow train service, which was absolutely brilliant. Australia knows how to organize and operate shows like no one else, and we have been to many in other countries.
We are waiting to see what the line up for 2015 will be with plans to visit again subject to. We would love to see some Mikoyan and Sukhoi aircraft.
Overall we enjoyed the overall experience, but would only attend on one day not two as we did, and we would purchase "Gold Class" tickets without question. We have a similar opinion to you with regards to the exhibitors area, which is disappointing especially if you have an interest in this side of aviation as we do.
We tried to look through the exhibitors sites, but found them to be too crowded, which is nothing unusual for this type of public/trade show, so we gave up.
The main reason for being at Avalon for us, was to see the Raptor, and the Super Hornets, which was well worth it, especially as we will never see the American operated aircraft in our country due to our "No Nuclear" policy which the USA does not like. Also, I believe that nothing beats the P51 Mustang, my favourite plane of all time.
We enjoyed most of the displays, both static and active with the exception of the wing walking, which we thought went on for way to long becoming boring. We thought there were probably more aerobatics displays than needed making the show drag in places (A good time to retreat to the drinks area). We were very disappointed at only seeing one helicopter flying display, and also to have a B52 sitting static rather than doing a flying display especially after it being flown all the way to Avalon.
We stayed in Melbourne, and used the special Airshow train service, which was absolutely brilliant. Australia knows how to organize and operate shows like no one else, and we have been to many in other countries.
We are waiting to see what the line up for 2015 will be with plans to visit again subject to. We would love to see some Mikoyan and Sukhoi aircraft.
Overall we enjoyed the overall experience, but would only attend on one day not two as we did, and we would purchase "Gold Class" tickets without question. We have a similar opinion to you with regards to the exhibitors area, which is disappointing especially if you have an interest in this side of aviation as we do.
