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Avalon Airshow 3-5 March 2017

Old 21st Feb 2017, 00:09
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Have been to the last four Avalons. I'm a bit with Sunfish and gerry111. Have they made it clear the JSF will not be flying? They've certainly made the claim it'll be 'there'. I'll not be happy if they imply one thing and deliver quite another. Parabellum speaks eloquently in support of the organisers and makes fair comment. But we outsiders don't know what actually can or cannot be achieved and what could have been done better in the organising (which includes financing/sponsorship) but one suspects there's usually more. Suffice to say that I've noticed over the years a fair bit of commonality between one show and the next. Suggests to me that the organisers might take the easy way in some things. I'd like to see displays I wasn't expecting, not so much of the 'same old'. We can no longer see such displays as Bob Hoover's, but there are always other exciting display routines other than the (admittedly superb) aerobatics we get to see. The V/Line and bus connection to the field is a triumph of organisation... I drove in once... never again. This year I'm taking my partner to her first-ever airshow, so to make it enjoyable for her we'll be taking advantage of the Mile High Club facilities. And to take double advantage, we'll be going on Friday so our $1500 buys dinner as well as lunch. That's another thing. It'll be my second MHC admission, and I'll have to see more value this time around than I did in 2015--their first attempt at 5-star--if I'm ever to repeat the process. To those who are involved with the organisation of this event and are indignant at critical comment, remember this... the attendees are your customers. Like Sunfish, I'm an optimist, and I make no apology for having an opinion.
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Old 21st Feb 2017, 03:12
  #42 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by gerry111
I reckon that the RAAF is being sold a very expensive dud with this aircraft.
Well, you'd be wrong

Have you flown a 5th generation fighter? Or for that matter a 4th gen?

Have you flown a JSF?

Do the people responsible for its introduction to service have fighter experience?

...
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Old 21st Feb 2017, 05:31
  #43 (permalink)  
 
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Do the people responsible for its introduction to service have fighter experience?
Who, the ones that work for Lockheed or the ones that work in the JSF program office?
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Old 21st Feb 2017, 08:39
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Nah, junior.VH-LFA.

The last single engine jet I flew in was a RNZAF Skyhawk. So 3rd gen.

What about you?
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Old 28th Feb 2017, 06:58
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I hope those attending the trade show are having a good time.

Only a few more days for the rest of us!
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Old 28th Feb 2017, 07:31
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Not sure L Plater why you have to wait, pretty much anyone can apply for trade entry, your a student ... welcome, have an asic ..., come on in ...... the application process is easy as and covers the gamet of most industry's and job titles, best way to beat the crowds!!
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Old 28th Feb 2017, 07:41
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He probably has a real job LOL.
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Old 28th Feb 2017, 08:28
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The JSF will only be on display. Look... it flew in here and it will fly out on Sunday. It beggars belief that it couldn't be displayed in the air during the show. What cock-eyed imperative was thought to be more important than a modest flying display at Avalon in 2017. The Australian public--after all--are paying 17 billion for 72 of them.

This year will be a perfect opportunity for Trump America to do a bit of showing-off. One hopes the organisers--through their defence and political connections--have had Hockey lobbying for them in 'the Swamp'. The usual B52 and Bone plus tanker from Guam are getting a bit ho-hum, I'm afraid.

Last edited by Down and Welded; 28th Feb 2017 at 09:13.
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Old 28th Feb 2017, 10:43
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Ah the JSF.. What a marvellous aircraft!

Stealthy but slow. With not much range without unstealthy air to air refuelling.

Ordnance? Well not much as any external stores make it unstealthy.

One starling down the intake and it's very expensive scrap metal.

And now the Chinese reckon that they have the technology to identify it.

A total waste of $17 billion of Australian taxpayers money.

(PS: Down and Welded. The Schofields Air Display in 1983 had a B52H fly in from Guam too.)
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Old 28th Feb 2017, 23:59
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From what I remember gerry, Schofields 83 was a very wet event. By the end of the day even the classy ladies in their high heel shoes were sloshing through the mud with the rest of us.
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 04:07
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Ah the JSF.. What a marvellous aircraft!

Stealthy but slow. With not much range without unstealthy air to air refuelling.

Ordnance? Well not much as any external stores make it unstealthy.

One starling down the intake and it's very expensive scrap metal.

And now the Chinese reckon that they have the technology to identify it.

A total waste of $17 billion of Australian taxpayers money.
You forgot to mention ugly.

You know something's not right when Lockheed put an ugly aeroplane into production.
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 04:52
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Even the Bairnsdale air show around 2000-2001 had a B52 from Guam !
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 05:01
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Well the US Prez seems rather fond of throwing hand grenades over the fence.
He told Malcom the refugee swap was a dud deal.
I seem to recall him saying the JSF was a dud as well.
There's a chance for Mal to chuck a hand grenade back over the fence.
Send Juli to Washington and tell them because the Prez said the F-35 was a dud and overpriced we are considering cancelling the order.
Now wouldn't that would put the cat among the pidgins!!
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 05:15
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Just looked at the Airshow website. Not impressive. I was led to believe the SAAA was exhibiting, also Bert Flood imports, I wanted to talk Rotax to someone, specifically alleged multiple gearbox failures in the 912iS and maybe a look at the new turbo engine. Neither company is mentioned as an exhibitor. Horsham Aviation isn't attending so no Dynon and if the Garmin stand behaves as usual they will have a rotten sales team.

I still have to spend about $7k -$8k for radios, a new PLB and a transponder, but I doubt there is anything informative on that subject at YMAV.

General perception from reading the program - same old, same old, of no real interest to an actual pilot. The event is more for schmoozing for people who either don't fly, or if they do, the Government pays for it (RAAF).

As for Friday night and the public display, go ahead and watch, its for kids, cloud bunnies, spotters and aerosexuals.

If I hadn't already paid my $65 I wouldn't go tomorrow at least based on the sales literature anyway.- its three hour drive each way However I have a mate getting a stent put in on Thursday in Melbourne, so I guess I can be out of Avalon early to go and visit him.
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 05:33
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I was led to believe the SAAA was exhibiting, also Bert Flood imports, I wanted to talk Rotax to someone, specifically alleged multiple gearbox failures in the 912iS and maybe a look at the new turbo engine
Floods have a retail shop - go there!

I got plenty of emails from the SAAA about their stand. Has that been cancelled???

Last edited by Squawk7700; 1st Mar 2017 at 06:22.
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 08:20
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Sunfish... "General perception from reading the program - same old, same old..."
My sentiments also. It'll be good, but as you say...

Had a buff from Guam do a flypast at a pageant at Port Hedland many eons ago, couple of circuits... one dirty and slow, one not. Then it chuffed off over to the coast out of sight over the sand dunes, then popped up lined up for rwy 18. Asked "what height...?" Tower said "Not above 100." Came down 18... biggest cloud of dust ever, then pulled up almost vertical and climbed out on 8 big pillars of smoke and tracked away for Learmonth. Spectacular!

Now THAT was a handling display.
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 11:07
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Cancelled? Negatory Squawker, (as you know anyway, your intel is good). I'm reliably informed, today, that there is a whole bunch of folks setting up THURS there. Full steam ahead, bugger the sun-loving icebergs.
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Old 1st Mar 2017, 21:07
  #58 (permalink)  
 
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I'm just hoping that I can listen to the sound of freedom at Avalon without some commentator spod wittering constantly over the loudspeakers.
At least let the jets fly past without talking - save the wittering for the downwind legs...
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Old 2nd Mar 2017, 00:31
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I'm just hoping that I can listen to the sound of freedom at Avalon without some commentator spod wittering constantly over the loudspeakers.
You can't - especially when the hyper-enthusiastic US commentator spruiks his stuff during the F22 display.
BUT, it is a pretty impressive display! And loud!
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Old 2nd Mar 2017, 01:54
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went today, spent three hours there. Beautifully organised with meticulous attention to detail. valuable content for a GA pilot? Zero. boring as bat****. highlights? Diamond DA62 looks nice but with the ugliest looking engine nacelles i've ever seen for their diesel engines. loved walking inside an Antonov again, i wonder how they will pay for the fuel to get home this time?

trade show full of salesmen sucking up to the airforce. Garmin display pathetic.

Best stand? Bureau of meteorology, informative and friendly. they gave me a pen!

i left about 1pm, the flying display was a bore. only another two hours drive to get home.
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