Anyone Going To Avalon 2015?
Thread Starter
I wont be going this time. Even if I was going, I certainly won't be flying in anyway because I suspect CASA will redouble its ramp check bastardry as a response to the Truss review.
There was nothing last time of any interest for GA and RAA pilots. The Garmin guys I saw could have sold me some GTN stuff on the day if they had been interested in actually selling.
The only high point for me was the surreal experience of not actually just looking at, but walking inside and under and actually touching a B52, but that was on a trade day.
There was nothing last time of any interest for GA and RAA pilots. The Garmin guys I saw could have sold me some GTN stuff on the day if they had been interested in actually selling.
The only high point for me was the surreal experience of not actually just looking at, but walking inside and under and actually touching a B52, but that was on a trade day.
They generally ramp the commercial guys but the odd private guy has been ramped at East.
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I have been to every Avalon.
Great team of volunteer marshalls and drivers etc, super helpful, as good as anywhere in the world.
I will be going again in 2015, every day. its great. Its the best show within several thousand miles. Lots and lots of planes of all shapes and sizes, old friends, new ones, a few beers in the evening then sleep and repeat. Problem?
Comparing AV to OSH or Farnborough, Paris or Moscow (or even Beijing) is hardly fair, its the biggest and best in the region, but hardly comparable in sheer scale, resources and military industry money. OSH has no Military its an enthusiasts show, Farnborough and the others are Civil/Military and have little in the way of GA, no recreational/vintage etc. There is no one size fits all.
For anyone living in Vic NSW, SA or even S QLD it is easy and relatively cheap to attend Avalon and get a good exposure to an excellent cross section of GA, Vintage, Recreational, Military and Airline aviation for a day or a week. Take sunscreen and a raincoat, you'll likely need both.
If you don't like it, don't go, we won't miss your complaining.
If you have tons of readies and dont like Avalon, go wherever you want, but Avalon is what it is, and it is quite good really.
Bring it on woot woot!
HD
Great team of volunteer marshalls and drivers etc, super helpful, as good as anywhere in the world.
I will be going again in 2015, every day. its great. Its the best show within several thousand miles. Lots and lots of planes of all shapes and sizes, old friends, new ones, a few beers in the evening then sleep and repeat. Problem?
Comparing AV to OSH or Farnborough, Paris or Moscow (or even Beijing) is hardly fair, its the biggest and best in the region, but hardly comparable in sheer scale, resources and military industry money. OSH has no Military its an enthusiasts show, Farnborough and the others are Civil/Military and have little in the way of GA, no recreational/vintage etc. There is no one size fits all.
For anyone living in Vic NSW, SA or even S QLD it is easy and relatively cheap to attend Avalon and get a good exposure to an excellent cross section of GA, Vintage, Recreational, Military and Airline aviation for a day or a week. Take sunscreen and a raincoat, you'll likely need both.
If you don't like it, don't go, we won't miss your complaining.
If you have tons of readies and dont like Avalon, go wherever you want, but Avalon is what it is, and it is quite good really.
Bring it on woot woot!
HD
B-52
Yes Sunfish. I enjoyed seeing the B-52 up close as well. I remember standing in the bomb bay and imagining Slim Pickens riding the bomb down to the start of WW3 in Dr Strangelove.
I mentioned this to people and crew beside me and got blank stares. Maybe I'm getting old and it is too much to expect Gen Xs and Ys to sit through a movie in black and white!
Anyhow, I enjoyed Avalon and will again this year. Flying is supposed to be fun!
I mentioned this to people and crew beside me and got blank stares. Maybe I'm getting old and it is too much to expect Gen Xs and Ys to sit through a movie in black and white!
Anyhow, I enjoyed Avalon and will again this year. Flying is supposed to be fun!
HarleyD----good on ya mate, nice to read something positive in here for a change.
Enjoy the show, my friends running it ( yes actually running it ) appreciate your thoughts for all their hard work.
Enjoy the show, my friends running it ( yes actually running it ) appreciate your thoughts for all their hard work.
The Cow paddock as you call it is AVALON EAST. Not west and you can't blame the organizers for rain.
I vividly recall how hot it was and how little shade was available.
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ACMS - am friends with most of the organizers and airshow team, they do an awesome job in trying conditions, it's organized pandemonium up there most of the time.
I have been air display organizer - display supervisor at about 20 airshows over the years and its not near as simple as some here like to pontificate on, especially a week long effort like AV.
Cheers
I have been air display organizer - display supervisor at about 20 airshows over the years and its not near as simple as some here like to pontificate on, especially a week long effort like AV.
Cheers
All this panic about getting ramped...
I don't worry about getting arrested by the police every time I leave my house - because I don't commit crimes...
If you're flying within the regs... Why are you worried!?!?
I don't worry about getting arrested by the police every time I leave my house - because I don't commit crimes...
If you're flying within the regs... Why are you worried!?!?
Pinkdick-----in 2011 light Aircraft of the more modern kind were using Avalon East YAVE, some lucky ones used Avalon main YMAV and a few old things like Tiger months old warbirds from WW1 used a small grass strip next to the main runway called Avalon West.
In 2013 Avalon West wasn't setup or used. Nothing mentioned about it in the AIP SUPP H11-13 at all. It wasn't done then......only YAVE Avalon East was used but it was badly effected by rain in the weeks prior to the show and become soft and bumpy during use.
If you did use West in 2011 and it was as bad as you say it was probably the reason why they didn't use it again for 2013?
In 2013 Avalon West wasn't setup or used. Nothing mentioned about it in the AIP SUPP H11-13 at all. It wasn't done then......only YAVE Avalon East was used but it was badly effected by rain in the weeks prior to the show and become soft and bumpy during use.
If you did use West in 2011 and it was as bad as you say it was probably the reason why they didn't use it again for 2013?
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Guess I've been lucky, I've always found something or someone really interesting to talk to over the years, from FJs doing the actual drawcard displays, to air tanker drivers with some ripping yarns to tell, to corporate jet salesmen giving me a tour inside their products. 2013 was looking to be a little dissapointing (weather wasn't kind) until Polair rocked up with their wares, thanks guys 
.
Bring it on I say.
.Bring it on I say.
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Harley D & ACMS, whilst it's great you're supporting your mates, do your mates listen to feedback from the performers? (the acts the punters come to see). I've got a couple of mates that I've ground crewed for both here and overseas, and...........well, the difference is notable.
I'm not going to get into public criticisms or O/S comparisons but it'd be interesting to know if the main 'players' running the show give a toss about improving the way things run behind the scenes?
I'm not going to get into public criticisms or O/S comparisons but it'd be interesting to know if the main 'players' running the show give a toss about improving the way things run behind the scenes?
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2013 was the first time I missed YMAV, and I won't be going back unless there is a programmed event I'd like to see. Avalon became, for me, too much of a repetition of the previous ones, and I have found a great deal more enjoyment from visiting YTYA. It's more up close and personal, more a/c of my vintage, even if some of them can't land, and it is a beautiful wee place to spend the day.
Having said that, I have been known to be unable to resist anything but temptation, but I'd use the train-and-shuttle methodn NEVER again will I drive.
Cheers,
TNO.
Having said that, I have been known to be unable to resist anything but temptation, but I'd use the train-and-shuttle methodn NEVER again will I drive.
Cheers,
TNO.
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Ramp check? What's the big deal? Fly in, have all your documentation readily available and you're set. Had the privilege of flying in a couple of times and got ramped check by the friendly staff of CASA. Thankfully got through every single one of them hassle free! 
Bets the heck of driving into the Avalon air show I tell ya!
T&G
Bets the heck of driving into the Avalon air show I tell ya!
T&G
I think you may find that Avalon West was not a success in 2011 as all traffic using it had to cross the main runway. At that time some lighties came into the main field.
In 2013 they moved all the lightie traffic to AVE to ease the load at the main runway. They also extended the days of operation of AVE to the full period of the airshow. I expect this will happen again in 2015.
In 2013 they moved all the lightie traffic to AVE to ease the load at the main runway. They also extended the days of operation of AVE to the full period of the airshow. I expect this will happen again in 2015.
