Farnborough 2012
Thread Starter
Farnborough 2012
I was reading through both the lists of static and flying aircraft for this year and, perhaps it's just me, but it seems really anemic with almost no jet fighters or large metal especially with regards to the flying program. If they keep going at this rate they'll just be a few kites and UAV's in the future. I appreciate that costs are rising, but every 2 years it can't be too much to ask...
SHJ
SHJ
Regretfully I was relieved of the onerous duty of 'designing' the flying display after 2004 when SBAC/Farnborough International employed entirely new people to arrange things. Up to the 2004 show, I had worked closely with the SBAC team, who had been employed full time, but to cut costs, SBAC decided to just employ these people part time (for 6 months every 2 years I believe, or that was what the rumour network said) and a lot of experience and expertise was lost when they found other full time jobs and declined to 'ditch' these for the airshow. The display format was then changed by the new people and it has not been the same type of display since.
Whether this has caused companies to decide not to participate in the flying display I couldn't say as I retired after the 2008 show.
Whether this has caused companies to decide not to participate in the flying display I couldn't say as I retired after the 2008 show.
Thread Starter
Thanks for the explanation as to a possible cause mr chevvron, it does seem so 'thin' this year as to be laughable. May I thank you also retrospectively for your efforts and skills for past Farnborough displays that brought a smile to many a face 
SHJ
SHJ
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I was looking though the static and flying listings and noticed nothing atall from Airbus or Boeing ( apart from the F18), Is there likely to to be any late additional entries?
Since I noticed from videos on youtube of 2010 of the 787 and A380 at the airshow?
Since I noticed from videos on youtube of 2010 of the 787 and A380 at the airshow?
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chevvron - guess we do have to thank you for some of the best displays ever organised!
Read this year's display line and was incredulous.
F'boro was always known for getting the most incredible aircraft that existed on that airfield.....it's now pitiful.
Read this year's display line and was incredulous.
F'boro was always known for getting the most incredible aircraft that existed on that airfield.....it's now pitiful.
Thanks for your kind remarks; at least someone appreciates my efforts!
When I arrived at Farnborough in early '74, it was decided that myself and another new arrival would understudy the SATCO. This is where I learned the 'skill' which I exercised to varying extents from 1978 to 2004. I had no control over the content of the flying display, but I decided the basic 'running order' and worked out timings, which could be varied by the Flying Control Committee as necessary. I always worked on the premise that there should be something for the spectators to watch at all times, rather than have long gaps which seem to be endemic in some air displays.
Doesn't seem to happen nowadays does it?
When I arrived at Farnborough in early '74, it was decided that myself and another new arrival would understudy the SATCO. This is where I learned the 'skill' which I exercised to varying extents from 1978 to 2004. I had no control over the content of the flying display, but I decided the basic 'running order' and worked out timings, which could be varied by the Flying Control Committee as necessary. I always worked on the premise that there should be something for the spectators to watch at all times, rather than have long gaps which seem to be endemic in some air displays.
Doesn't seem to happen nowadays does it?
Last edited by chevvron; 21st Jun 2012 at 22:48.
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Possibly another reason for the 'thinness' of Farnborough is that there are now just too many air shows in the northern hemisphere, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dubai, Singapore?
As Farnborough is effectively a 'sales exhibition' you'd expect there to be many in-production types to showcase products, like the A400, F22, F18 and so on.
The only things I'm looking forward to are the Su-27 and F/A18. The other loud stuff is just the standard guff you see at most other airshows, along with the Eurofighter flying around in a figure of 8 for 5 minutes, tornado role demo, red arrows, BoB memorial flight, all run of the mill boring stuff really.
RIAT will be miles better looking at the fly list. MiG29, F-16s, Rafales, Gripen, A400, F18, even a DHL 767, F-5s, A330 Voyager, C17, VC10, all flying. Pity the Frecce Tricolori won't be there, they were awesome.
The only things I'm looking forward to are the Su-27 and F/A18. The other loud stuff is just the standard guff you see at most other airshows, along with the Eurofighter flying around in a figure of 8 for 5 minutes, tornado role demo, red arrows, BoB memorial flight, all run of the mill boring stuff really.
RIAT will be miles better looking at the fly list. MiG29, F-16s, Rafales, Gripen, A400, F18, even a DHL 767, F-5s, A330 Voyager, C17, VC10, all flying. Pity the Frecce Tricolori won't be there, they were awesome.
Farnborough is a sad shadow of its former self. We all know it's primarily a sales show, always has been but at least on public days there was enough in the flying display to keep you interested. Nowadays, most of the decent stuff has gone by Thursday.
I'm sure I read that a Malaysian A380 was going to be there until Tuesday/Wednesday? Also thought there was another one there as well, probably one of the test frames.
I was looking though the static and flying listings and noticed nothing atall from Airbus or Boeing
Paxing All Over The World
Thank you for the background, chevvron, illuminating.
It won't be too much longer before the SBAC show folds and closes. That is not wishful thinking but simply the usual way of things.
SBAC are nearly 100 years old and the show dates from 1932 (I read) and there are not many things that reach 100 years. As has been pointed out above, there are many new shows and they have more money to throw at the customers - which is what this is all about.
An example from my own 27 years experience in telecommunications. There used to be two big trade shows every year in the UK (I don't know how many there are now as I am out of that line). The big show, with all the names and speakers, the very pinnacle of the year was in Brighton. I first attended in 1981 (I think) and by the late 90s it was obvious that the show was dying on it's feet with numbers of visitors and exhibitors dropping.
I discussed this with one of the organisers that I knew across many years and was told that the numbers were holding up and they were optimistic. The very next year, the show was canx.
That is what happens and it's called evolution. It's not nice for those who lose their jobs but that is what humans do - and I'm sure that we could have a dozen examples of old things that die - apparently very suddenly when, actually, they've been dying for years. Woolworths anyone?
chevvron tells us that they already saved money by getting rid of experienced staff and this is indicative of 'death of a thousand cuts'. Mgmt will continue to declare that everything is fine - as the show (effectively) enters CFIT. BMI anyone?
It won't be too much longer before the SBAC show folds and closes. That is not wishful thinking but simply the usual way of things.
SBAC are nearly 100 years old and the show dates from 1932 (I read) and there are not many things that reach 100 years. As has been pointed out above, there are many new shows and they have more money to throw at the customers - which is what this is all about.
An example from my own 27 years experience in telecommunications. There used to be two big trade shows every year in the UK (I don't know how many there are now as I am out of that line). The big show, with all the names and speakers, the very pinnacle of the year was in Brighton. I first attended in 1981 (I think) and by the late 90s it was obvious that the show was dying on it's feet with numbers of visitors and exhibitors dropping.
I discussed this with one of the organisers that I knew across many years and was told that the numbers were holding up and they were optimistic. The very next year, the show was canx.
That is what happens and it's called evolution. It's not nice for those who lose their jobs but that is what humans do - and I'm sure that we could have a dozen examples of old things that die - apparently very suddenly when, actually, they've been dying for years. Woolworths anyone?
chevvron tells us that they already saved money by getting rid of experienced staff and this is indicative of 'death of a thousand cuts'. Mgmt will continue to declare that everything is fine - as the show (effectively) enters CFIT. BMI anyone?
I went to 'The Radio Show' at Earls Court. I saw a new development in TV - colour TV! I think they demonstrated the 'British' system alongside the 'American' one.
I think The Radio Show died in the late 60s.
I think The Radio Show died in the late 60s.
I was sent the details of the 'Enthusiasts day' It mentioned that the exhibition halls would be open on the Friday but closed on the public weekend. Half the interest to me.
What finished it for me was having to leave my car several miles away and go in by bus lugging everything with me.
mmitch.
What finished it for me was having to leave my car several miles away and go in by bus lugging everything with me.
mmitch.
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A lot of the acts are nto flying on the Fri, so seems the worst day to visit of all.
Yes, not being able to park on the airfield has made the getting in/out with a car a nightmare. Train then bus seems the low stress option.
And then there's the security search.....
I'm inclined to join the chancers who take a picnic and watch from Fleet Common, which could be especially good if they're using 06.
What was a world-leading event has been reduced back to a rather ordinary industry exhibition. It still features in the news but more for its historical importance than its current.
Le Bourget is far worse though.
Yes, not being able to park on the airfield has made the getting in/out with a car a nightmare. Train then bus seems the low stress option.
And then there's the security search.....
I'm inclined to join the chancers who take a picnic and watch from Fleet Common, which could be especially good if they're using 06.
What was a world-leading event has been reduced back to a rather ordinary industry exhibition. It still features in the news but more for its historical importance than its current.
Le Bourget is far worse though.
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It seems dead here this year (I live under runway 06). The police are out in full force blocking roads and creating the one way system that will make driving around Farnborough a nightmare for a week! I haven't seen anything fly over or practice yet... At this time in 2010 everything was around and practicing the routine... The exhibition tents have been put up.
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Fairford is Where It's At these days.
At the other end, you've Old Warden, Duxford, Old Buckenham or Headcorn for the other end of scale and the ol' magic. The airshow scene is not what it was, but there are fortunately some stalwarts holding true out there.
Sad to see F'boro' become what is though. Having a world class event is not bad news for anyone.
At the other end, you've Old Warden, Duxford, Old Buckenham or Headcorn for the other end of scale and the ol' magic. The airshow scene is not what it was, but there are fortunately some stalwarts holding true out there.
Sad to see F'boro' become what is though. Having a world class event is not bad news for anyone.
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average-punter,
The airshow in 2010 did not start until July 19th, the first arrivals day was the Monday before, the 12th. You can expect arrivals and practice/validation flights from July 2nd this year.
SH
The airshow in 2010 did not start until July 19th, the first arrivals day was the Monday before, the 12th. You can expect arrivals and practice/validation flights from July 2nd this year.
SH
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Exhibition
£41.00 on Sat And Sunday On the Gate and the Exhibition Halls are closed to the public. Cost cutting and fact they Say people don't want them more planes and the Funfair are what the Public Requested. but the organizers did say the Exhibition could be back for 2014 Show.
As usual a large number of departures will take place on Thursday eve so its
An expensive day to visit a Funfair
whole area around the field is now a no parking Tow away Zone so be warned it could get even costlier .
Tony
Farnborough Resident
As usual a large number of departures will take place on Thursday eve so its
An expensive day to visit a Funfair
whole area around the field is now a no parking Tow away Zone so be warned it could get even costlier .
Tony
Farnborough Resident
Last edited by Gulf4uk; 23rd Jun 2012 at 17:20.