Avalon Airshow
Lethbridge Airport (YLED) is a fully functional General Aviation facility with both grass and sealed runways and for the period of 28 February – 5 March 2023, these facilities will be enhanced to provide support for the additional air traffic expected to use the airport.
AMDA will be providing a regular bus service between Lethbridge, Avalon and return every day and nearer to the event timings will be published on the Airshow and Lethbridge Airports websites and social media platforms."
..so it sounds like they'll be ready on the day.
Interestingly enough, that page is not included in the Trade Visitors section.. maybe they're organising something else for the VIPs (to keep them away from any mere mortals)?
With no Avalon East, it'd be interesting to know how they'll accommodate the charters and helicopters bringing in their precious top-brass military VIPs whilst the show is happening. Bus them in from Point Cook? Or will they temporarily open Avalon East just for them?
Top brass, military vips never came in via Avalon East. Helos are fine and I expect they will find room for vips in fixed wing on main before display starts, which is what happened before.
there was a shuttle from point cook operating on main, used to be caribou, more recently kingair. That may continue.
Petrol guzzling GA is regarded as obsolete by the Australian Government. All Avalon is doing is responding to that. There is no commercial reason to cater for GA, there is nothing its commercial displayers want to sell to GA and there is nothing for a GA or RAA operator to buy.
Avalon is about convincing the ignorant general public that we have a defence force that is good value (not), that its a worthwhile career (perhaps for some) and for fat old characters to relive their glory days.
Its not worth attending.
Avalon is about convincing the ignorant general public that we have a defence force that is good value (not), that its a worthwhile career (perhaps for some) and for fat old characters to relive their glory days.
Its not worth attending.
GA is not dead. I deal with GA businesses on a daily basis across Australia and deal with nothing but positivity… except for when the ATSB call.
I hpoe you are right Squawk. I did a little trip earlier this year - Temora, Dubbo, Dirranbandi, Charleville, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry and home via Boulia, Innamicka, Dig tree and a few other places. Every second airport was in need of investment and repair. There were quite a few GA aircraft, notably C 182 an a few Comanches that were mouldering away in dusty corners, each covered in dust and bird droppings - very sad.
The activity i did see, well some of it appeared to be 'interesting" - like how to get out of your crop duster and into a beer almost before the propeller stopped rotating.
The activity i did see, well some of it appeared to be 'interesting" - like how to get out of your crop duster and into a beer almost before the propeller stopped rotating.
I hpoe you are right Squawk. I did a little trip earlier this year - Temora, Dubbo, Dirranbandi, Charleville, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry and home via Boulia, Innamicka, Dig tree and a few other places. Every second airport was in need of investment and repair. There were quite a few GA aircraft, notably C 182 an a few Comanches that were mouldering away in dusty corners, each covered in dust and bird droppings - very sad.
The activity i did see, well some of it appeared to be 'interesting" - like how to get out of your crop duster and into a beer almost before the propeller stopped rotating.
The activity i did see, well some of it appeared to be 'interesting" - like how to get out of your crop duster and into a beer almost before the propeller stopped rotating.
As for the claims about ‘dead aeroplanes’, in that part of the world the majority of owners would keep their aircraft on their properties, not the local airport, because what good is the 182 150kms away when you want to go check the troughs.
As for your last comment, what’s your point?
Stop being such a negative Nancy and quit your whinging whiny little bitch session.
Wait for the Governments Green Paper Morno. It’s only then that you will get the full flavor of what’s in store.
‘’To put it another way, every day we continue with the present arrangements - regulations, policies, etc., we get further behind.
‘’This, from the british greens, should give you some idea:
‘’To put it another way, every day we continue with the present arrangements - regulations, policies, etc., we get further behind.
‘’This, from the british greens, should give you some idea:
TR030 Transport planning will need to follow a prioritisation of modes of transport to produce a sustainable transport system (see LP409). All levels of government would be expected to follow the basic hierarchy outlined below. Local authorities will be expected to use the hierarchy in a manner that does not conflict with other green objectives. The requirements for access by emergency vehicles would not be affected by this hierarchy.
- Walking and disabled access.
- Cycling.
- Public transport (trains, light rail/trams, buses and ferries) and rail and water-borne freight.
- Light goods vehicles, taxis and low powered motor cycles.
- Private motorised transport (cars & high powered motor cycles).
- Heavy goods vehicles.
- Aeroplanes.
Yep, keep going with the fear campaigns 
CASA is now enforcing its 200m spectator rule it seems from the runway centreline. So folks you won't be able to park yourself right up at the runway anymore, seems like they are pushing everyone to Alpha.
I don't recall any major problems recently, all that comes to mind is I made aware of a seperation issue during a display last time, perhaps they got spooked.
(ohhhhhhh.... and the tickets are nearly $100 for an adult....free parking now though!)
I don't recall any major problems recently, all that comes to mind is I made aware of a seperation issue during a display last time, perhaps they got spooked.
(ohhhhhhh.... and the tickets are nearly $100 for an adult....free parking now though!)
Last edited by PoppaJo; 6th Nov 2022 at 06:26.
So it’s 200m from the runway now versus the display line?
It does make sense to be honest, but often logistically difficult at airports with limited realestate.
It does make sense to be honest, but often logistically difficult at airports with limited realestate.
Not sure on the exact location around the display line, however CASA have asked spectators be 100m from runway edge, not 50m as previous. Squawk perhaps they have been operating at 200m but are now increasing the buffer. The only issue I had with the close proximity of crowds to the runway was the people on the other side of the fence. I was on final about 10 years ago heavy RPT, security person manning the other side of the fence dropped his leaflet which blew towards the centreline in which he then ran to get it. We raised it with Air Services which was dealt with pronto however anything is possible I guess when it comes to human behaviour. Taxiway Charlie remaining open for normal ops with crossing Supervisors, while Air Force clogged up intersection Bravo was another nightmare however that experiment was thankfully short lived. That was getting too close for comfort with the folks on the ground nearly underneath our wingtips.
Originally Posted by PoppaJo
CASA is now enforcing its 200m spectator rule it seems from the runway centreline
Due to CASA regulations the crowd line has had to be moved to 120m from the runway centre line
Last edited by bentleg; 7th Nov 2022 at 23:42.
- General admission $89 plus $4.95 handling fee.
- No fly in to Avalon East, getramp checked by CASA at Lethbridge instead, then take a shuttle bus.
- Spectator area moved so that great unwashed don't offend the occupiers of the chalets.
- Token General or Recreational Aviation component.
An event for Cloud Bunnies and Aerosexuals to borrow O'Leary of Ryanairs description.
- No fly in to Avalon East, getramp checked by CASA at Lethbridge instead, then take a shuttle bus.
- Spectator area moved so that great unwashed don't offend the occupiers of the chalets.
- Token General or Recreational Aviation component.
An event for Cloud Bunnies and Aerosexuals to borrow O'Leary of Ryanairs description.
As I understand it, this airshow is going to be better anyway. https://pacificairshowaus.com/
Avalon Airshow died years ago. Save your money, go to the Gold Coast.
Alpha
Avalon Airshow died years ago. Save your money, go to the Gold Coast.
Alpha
- General admission $89 plus $4.95 handling fee.
It's a clever move really... from AMDA's perspective it means the accompanying adult won't be there very long, meaning more paying customers (preferably without children and with large wallets) can enter instead.
Since there's nothing for the kids to do now other than get dragged in the dust from one static display to the next, for that price you'd hope that children would be free!
It's a clever move really... from AMDA's perspective it means the accompanying adult won't be there very long, meaning more paying customers (preferably without children and with large wallets) can enter instead.
It's a clever move really... from AMDA's perspective it means the accompanying adult won't be there very long, meaning more paying customers (preferably without children and with large wallets) can enter instead.
Kids are generally there to see the airshow.. fast jets and some crazy flying. The static displays are an added bonus, with the biggest one being the military and is very interactive and enjoyable for them. There are also lots of stickers and giveaways in the trade hall.
It’s the exact opposite of what you have suggested.
Pilots tend to forget that Avalon is an “Airshow.”
Actually, the "AVALON 2023 Aerospace & Defence Exposition" is being run from 25 Feb - 05 Mar and the "Australian International AIRSHOW 2023" is a weekend add-on for the public. From the web site:
"The line-up at AIRSHOW 2019 was vastly different to that of recent events and received tremendous feedback from the public for the fresh and varied flying displays. For AIRSHOW 2023 we have continued to vary the line-up with the selection of several new performers.
While we would like to select as many performers as possible the reality is that we are constrained by the economic climate, the need to implement variety in the flying display and display time available."
That's why, once you add up all the changes mentioned upthread, I suspect there'll be "nothing for the kids to do now".
The truth is that Avalon really hasn't made any money from holding an Airshow for a few years now - it's the Aerospace Trade Hall and Defence sales displays where the $$$ are to be found. Sure, there'll be big noisy fast jets roaring around at various times and Paul Bennet and Awesome Aviation will be there on the weekend (for the kids to watch from a bit further away), but if you really want to see a proper Airshow, as Alpha said, "Save your money, go to the Gold Coast".
"The line-up at AIRSHOW 2019 was vastly different to that of recent events and received tremendous feedback from the public for the fresh and varied flying displays. For AIRSHOW 2023 we have continued to vary the line-up with the selection of several new performers.
While we would like to select as many performers as possible the reality is that we are constrained by the economic climate, the need to implement variety in the flying display and display time available."
That's why, once you add up all the changes mentioned upthread, I suspect there'll be "nothing for the kids to do now".
The truth is that Avalon really hasn't made any money from holding an Airshow for a few years now - it's the Aerospace Trade Hall and Defence sales displays where the $$$ are to be found. Sure, there'll be big noisy fast jets roaring around at various times and Paul Bennet and Awesome Aviation will be there on the weekend (for the kids to watch from a bit further away), but if you really want to see a proper Airshow, as Alpha said, "Save your money, go to the Gold Coast".
The truth is that Avalon really hasn't made any money from holding an Airshow for a few years now.
Really? In 2019 132,878 attended on the public days. I cannot see how the airshow side of the operation would not make money. I seriously doubt your assertion.
Really? In 2019 132,878 attended on the public days. I cannot see how the airshow side of the operation would not make money. I seriously doubt your assertion.
Last edited by bentleg; 10th Nov 2022 at 08:02.