Avalon 2015
 

Anyone know why the F22 is only a static display at this years airshow..? Pretty disappointing considering it flew last time. Not sure why they bother even bringing them over if they're not going to fly.. :(

I read that the display pilot has been called away by 'operational requirements'.

These things happen unfortunately.

When people complain about militaries from a different country not being available to spend a few hundred thousand dollars on a display for you. They don't have to do the statics either. If you'd prefer not to see the Raptor at all, maybe you could not go to the show?

Mhmmmm, that sense of entitlement is strong.

And yes, the USAF display pilot is "otherwise engaged." I know, how dare he, right?

Volunteers please form an orderly queue ...

22, and it shows... :}

Struth I hope ISIS doesn't read P-prune. Whatever will they think when they find out that the most powerful military-industrial complex in the world hasn't got one spare Raptor pilot to entertain the groveling downunder plebs who regularly spend gazillions of dollars on the latest and greatest US war toys.

Seems Avalon is close to happening. Something low, fast, jet powered and noisy just flew past my position east of Melb. Didn't get a chance to see what it was. This must be a fun time of year for many pilots out there coming to the worlds most liveable city :ok:

So I'm assuming you'd like to pay the USAF's costs go train and certify another display pilot just for the Avalon airshow?

22 and has an opinion. How dare I.

The USAF is spending big money to bring hardware down, and not getting a cent in return. The ADF showcase is looking like it's going to be top notch, and the Blackknights are also making their debut. All in all, not a bad turn out of military hardware considering the economic climate and operational pressures currently present.

But there has always got to be something to complain about.

I for one would be entertained just watching an F22 do a couple of touch and go's, tragic?

Fondly recalling the Triad exercises in 1984 (I think) watching F 15's returning from sorties doing buzz and breaks and often then into the circuit at NZWP

All good stuff!

Bring us the A350 Airbus!

I'm looking forward to the first 30 minutes being taken up by acknowledgements, and smoky parachutists and gliders.
Please let's not do the "would the owner of a white holden parked illegally please come forward.." routine either.

Bbbbzzzzzzzzzz

They need to change the commentator (who has been doing it for years) to someone who knows what they are talking about with 'planes.


The guy who does the commentary at Temora is the sort of guy they need.

What about Geoffrey Thomas - he's an "aviation expert". :E

I think it's more entertaining when they don't know what they're talking about. A few years ago I attended an Airshow at Maroochy where the commentator had obviously had a few and all through a routine by a high wing twin sang the praises of the Britten- Island Normander.

Looking forward to it! Something jet powered just flew over the CBD low and fast. Sounded identical to whatever flew over earlier in the week out east.

"Looking forward to it! Something jet powered just flew over the CBD low and fast. Sounded identical to whatever flew over earlier in the week out east."

Was it a Tiger A320?

Bbzbzbzbbzbzbzbzbzzzzzzz

Something militarily fast and sounding single engine-ish flew over town this afternoon. Unfortunately I didn't manage a Captain Cook at it.

Having spoken to many FJ jocks over the course of a few Avalon circuses, I found most of them were absolutely brilliant, warm, enthusiastic and helpful - except for the F-35 drivers who were complete nerds big time. I imagine a discourse with a F-22 driver would be much the same.

Shut up and fly bl@@dy thing.

An F18 was in close formation with a C17 over Brighton at 1545 today on their media jolly around town. Looked good around 1,500' or so...

Maybe we'll get a good UAV demonstration this year. Something more than a DJI Phantom rescued from the White House gardens...

Anything from the 'Eastern Bloc' likely to appear?
They seemed to be keen a few years back.

p.s. I understand Tu-95s sound pretty interesting - though can't say I've had the pleasure myself.

Bit of a problem with Eastern bloc countries participating. They bring with them every one that isn't on a day off and expect full board and hotac throughout, then, when they leave, they fill up to the overflow with every free litre of fuel they can load. Bottom line, Australia can't afford them, money better spent elsewhere.

Sounds like Vampire Mk 35 dual seat trainer. Nothing to see here:ok:

I already told you what flew over bayside Melbourne at 1545 Friday.

An F18 and a C17 doing the media work.

Oh and how different does a single engine jet sound to a twin engine jet? I suppose you think you can hear the fans out of sync on a twin do you!!:D

Whatever it is / was they don't have ADSB...

How to tell it's a single? It's all in the harmonics.

Rubbish, with a jet like an F18 or F15 you cannot hear "harmonics" from out of sync fans...

If an F15 flew past with one shutdown you wouldn't tell at all.....

A PA31 Navajo yes, turbo Jet? No:mad:

And yes the C17 and F18 don't have ADSB that civilians can see..:D

ACMS you should be a plane spotter; you seem suitably qualified for it.

Can't wait to see you flogs with your aviators, scanners, patched jackets and big watches.

Bzbzbzbzbbzzzzzzz

Just because I fly em doesn't mean I don't occasionally watch em too :ok:

In fact I would spend a lot more time at the fence scanner in hand if my other half would let me!!

Sad but true....:{


( I wouldn't write down all the regos into a notebook like I've seen the Heathrow spotter do, that would be sad indeed )

Really? The F-22 was the only reason why I was going! If its a no show, I'll be leaving the machine in the hangar and staying home.

2 will be on static display behind ropes and men with guns...:)

They should have brought only one and flown it at the show... Or were they delivered in an Antonov??!! :}

Buzzy,
I know what you mean about those types. :hmm:

ACMS,
I have to confess that I'll occasionally, on an interesting day (weather-wise) pop over to the airport, scanner on the dash, and tune in to the Tower frequencies.
There's much amusement to be had listening to the banter and watching some of the 'interesting' arrivals (usually Asian carriers).

Sometimes you'll even get a local saying "Watch this!"

All in all, a cheap couple of hours' entertainment.

Flying in from Elmendorf AK courtesy of a few KC-135's from Kadena ( ZZ )

No shortage of Raptors to fly here, only a shortage of display Pilots.......

If it was a state side Airshow you could bet he would be available.....:mad:

You missed my sarcasm: if they flew two in, then there'd be two pilots here. If one got taken away for [insert secret operation here] the other could fly, could he/she not; provided of course he/she could do the display. Maybe the second is just a brown-bar effo... :)

Oh oky dokey, :ok:

Seems rather odd that for 5 years they only have 1 qualified display Pilot?

Surely even a "line" jockey could takeoff, fly a few circuits with a go around and a fly by? That would be better than nothing.......

They obviously don't care.......

Actually now I think about it.......why couldn't our very own RAAF exchange Pilot flying the Raptor in AK have been given the gig? Now that would have been special....damn

Speaking of 'those' types.

Mate of mine tells a story of a few Avalons ago. He had just converted to hawks and was in Ops flight. Was tasked with flying the hawk to Avalon for static display. This also involved the usual PR of standing with the jet and answering questions, flying the RAAF flag etc. Anyway, halfway through the day two chaps in flight suits aviators etc (full bottle, just no visible patches) roll up and start asking questions, which mate answers. As a professional courtesy he asks if they flew in. The answer why yes we did. He then asked what they flew in, answer was and I quote:

"The PA-28".

Mate also has a PPL, so replies with

"why do you need flight suits to drive a warrior?"

Apparently they had to be somewhere else quickly after that.

About the F-22s. If two have 'flown in' single pilot from the states, don't you think those two guys would be pretty stuffed?

j3

A bit harsh J3. I wear Nomex in any light aircraft I fly. They can catch fire probably better than any Hawk.

If it was me, I would have asked the Hawk pilot after his little bon mot two questions:

1. Had he ever seen an enemy combatant?

2. How many carrier landings did he have?

And if I was his CO, I would have ripped him a new one. What an idiotic thing to say to enthusiasts looking at your taxpayer funded jet.

I'll be at Avalon 2015, in a badgeless flying suit.

J3----if they've come from AK ( there are some TDY in Kadena ) they would fly AK to Japan then overnight. Japan to Kadena then overnight. Kadena to Avalon....

Around 2 to 9 hour flight times in company with rotating KC135's at all times.

Easy as.

Yes, I will be arriving in one of my single engined piston aircraft, a touche bigger than a Warrior, and it will be Avalon Main, for display. But you are a bit 'slow' on the other points. Actually, I was alluding to personal experience. See ya there!

P.S. You're not a 'fighter pilot', are you? Anyway, the weather forecast looks reasonable so far, so hopefully we will all enjoy the show despite ourselves.

ACMS,

That is still a lot of flying over a lot of time zones.

Dart,

Good for you, enjoy you nomex, I'm sure the ladies love it at the servo on the way home. Do you wear it in the car or in your house as they also catch fire??? Parachute too I hope.

Username,

I think that's Darts attempt at trying to tell you his willy is larger because 'one of his single engine aircraft' is on display. Consider yourself admonished.