Avalon Airshow 3-5 March 2017

[gassed budgie]

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!

That's the only reason I'm pulling the 210 out of the hangar and going. Never seen an F-22 in the flesh before, so looking forward to it. I like loud!

But having attended various airshows over the last 50 years (including a two or three at Avalon), I'd probably have to side with Sunny and suggest that other than the F-22, the rest will be as boring as bat****.

I can still remember some of the RAAF shows at Laverton back in the late '60's, early '70's that Dad took us to. One in particular that I can remember, was where a trio of Mirage's were doing their thing in front of the crowd. They departed stage left, but what the airshow patrons didn't see coming was the second trio of Mirage's approaching from behind the crowd. They wouldn't have been much higher than 100'AGL, were probably almost transonic and the afterburner's were lit.

The little old ladies screamed, the fat 6'4" tall bruiser standing beside me fainted and the rest of us had the ****ter blown right out of us!!! They were the days. It must've made an impression, because I can still recall it vividly decades down the track. I dont expect to see anything like that at Avalon in 2017.

[spinex]

I see a little chatter elsewhere about some unfortunate bugger parking their RV over at Avalon East, in a manner other than mentioned in the manual. Nasty way to start your visit

[KiwiBoyZac]

The official Facebook page posted this 6min ago:

The JSF to fly at Avalon Saturday and Sunday!
See the mighty Joint Strike Fighter take to the sky this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday of AIRSHOW 2017.
This will be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to see this amazing state-of-the-art jet fighter in the air on its Australian debut.
The Royal Australian Air Force has made special arrangements for the aircraft to fly on both the Saturday and Sunday of the event.
Also, the Joint Strike Fighter will be on static display for patrons to see on the ground on the Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday public sessions of the Airshow.

[Capn Bloggs]

F-35 vs F-22. Bring it on!

[Down and Welded]

Well... they heard me. They've changed their mind and the F35 will fly. But would you believe it... on Sat and Sun only... and I'll be there on Friday!! Oh well, you can't win 'em all. At least SOMEONE will get to see it fly (apart from arriving and departing).

[ACMS]

Sunfish----you are one hard to please SOB. I spent 7 hours there today taking in and breathing AVIATION of all sorts, it was excellent as usual. I'm going again tomorrow.

Thanks to my friends and colleagues running the show, great job as usual guys/girls.

They work literally 20 hours a day piecing all this together. I kid you not.

If you don't like it then just DON'T GO.

[cattletruck]

Well, I did enjoy the show today.

First off, greeted by a Harrier at the entrance that apparently was saved from the pohms dumping it in a tip.
Didn't find much interesting in the stalls this year, but didn't look hard enough into the smaller stalls.
Lots of mil and corp stuff outside - the usual offerings and a bit more this year.
Going hyper-tech seems to be the biggest growth industry - UAVs, AWS, Helmets, etc. which seems to be leaving no limelight for ye traditional piston banger.
Great surprise to see the B1 arrive and taxi to a stop in front of me.
Got a good look-see of a G550, but apparently there were water plumbing issues on the 8X meaning I missed out.
As usual, I found the staff and exhibitors to be very friendly, thank you.
Finally left at 6pm as the RAN Squirrels doubled up their display.

[Stikybeke]

Well this year due to circumstances beyond my control I can't attend. I haven't missed many of these and have always had a great day regardless of WX or whatsoever. For those of you fortunate enough to be attending I hope that you have the best day.
Enjoy
Stiky👍

[gerry111]

Bugger, Stiky!

I'd heard a rumour that yr right has a stall, advertising his engine rebuilding services. (Apparently with quite a few burnt clys to show to those who run so dangerously LOP.)

[KiwiBoyZac]

Originally Posted by cattletruck

First off, greeted by a Harrier at the entrance that apparently was saved from the pohms dumping it in a tip.

I've heard the Harrier is to be returned to flight. Someone must have massively deep pockets!

[Sunfish]

ACMS, I do not criticise the volunteers or the huge amount of work that goes into staging the event. My advice for people who want entertainment is to go this weekend, but take hats and sunscreen.

What I said was that there was little of value at the show that is going to be of value to a GA pilot. By that I mean things that are going to make you a better pilot and enhance your aviation experience that can not be found outside Avalon without the $65 fee. I put in a total of Seven hours of driving yesterday to see the show and it was a waste of time I could have used elsewhere.

I like to be engaged with what entertains me. I don't need to see the latest military hardware since I played with that stuff as a youngster. Big Iron doesn't interest me much since I worked in the engineering division of an airline as well as an aerospace/defence company. I used to eat my lunch in the cockpit of a B767 (with the admonition not to touch anything!).

SAAA were just setting up, as was RAA. No Bert Flood imports stand, had a look at some homebuilts which were nice. Looked in the Antonov, I am always impressed by its superb Russian engineering. DO I need to listen to fast noisy jets and get more sunburn? Not really, home I went.

[josephfeatherweight]

I put in a total of Seven hours of driving yesterday to see the show and it was a waste of time I could have used elsewhere.

But, as per ALL of your sad-sack previous posts on the subject, you knew that was going to be the case already, didn't you?

[Stikybeke]

Not to worry Gerry,
I'm pretty sure Jabba is down there and if anyone can sniff out that stand he most definitely will!!

Enjoy yourself and hopefully the weather is kind to you☀️
Stiky 👍👍

[azure70]

Will be dragging my little G5 out of the hangar for a run down to Avalon too.
Being jet powered i can get out of bed fashionably late and will overtake that bloke in the Cessna enroute, i may spot him below wobbling along with the seagulls as a sip Bollinger at FL450.

[Squawk7700]

I don't know why you wasted your precious time Sunfish, you made the exact same comments after the last Avalon airshow. I'll try and go back and find them, it will be interesting. From memory you also complained back then about a lack of Garmin and other GA related vendors.

[john_tullamarine]

Two ship F35 form flew in for the high rankers (I guess the RAAF ran itself for a few hours) and politicians this morning.

Ten minutes late awaiting the last of the VIPs on a 38SQN B350 so they stooged about to the south and then hooked in via the You Yangs for a couple of run and breaks. A good, if brief, noise session.

This should end up being one very good airshow machine in the future ...

[gerry111]

Just so marvellous to see Malcolm talking tough with Christopher beside him.

(Marise looked a tad, WTF moment, lost?)

It's all about technology; security; growth and jobs. A great shot in my arm!

How many air to air refuels did the JSF's need from Amberley? Or did they stage via Williamtown?

[Fantome]

I can still remember some of the RAAF shows at Laverton back in the late '60's, early '70's that Dad took us to. One in particular that I can remember, was where a trio of Mirage's were doing their thing in front of the crowd. They departed stage left, but what the airshow patrons didn't see coming was the second trio of Mirage's approaching from behind the crowd. They wouldn't have been much higher than 100'AGL, were probably almost transonic and the afterburner's were lit.

The Mirage had to be the sexiest shape in the sky in it's hey day.
What happened to the one parked outside at Wang a few years ago?
An ex-RAAF was said to have bought it for restoration to flyable.

[Sunfish]

Featherweight and Squawk, I am an optimist by nature. The fact that I was prepared to part with $65 and drive for Three hours to get to Avalon demonstrates that.

However, I stand by my conclusion, as entertainment, Avalon will be excellent this weekend, however if you are interested in learning things of value to piloting a GA aircraft, its a waste of time.

My general conclusion from Avalon is that nobody gives a flying **** about GA in this country, Worse, CASA's active ramping of GA aircraft visiting Avalon demonstrates their utter contempt for GA.

[tartare]

Jesus sunfish, get a life.
The show was worth the flight from Sydney and the 118km drive from Mt Eliza where I'm staying with mates just to laugh at that Raptor commentary.
Moan, moan, moan...