Anybody else think Farnborough's Cr*p?
Trade tickets are now £65, up from the early bird price of £45, which might take a bit of justifying But if you're determined to go regardless of the cost, I suspect the vetting of applications is pretty cursory and they would rather just have your money.
Here's the information needed to apply for a trade ticket:
As I said in a previous post, anyone with a bit of imagination shouldn't find it a problem to supply suitable information - just be creative with the "Organisation Name" and probably best not to try to register with your Hotmail address.
Here's the information needed to apply for a trade ticket:
As I said in a previous post, anyone with a bit of imagination shouldn't find it a problem to supply suitable information - just be creative with the "Organisation Name" and probably best not to try to register with your Hotmail address.
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I have to agree with SpringHeeledJack; the 'flying display' which we experienced on Friday was rather an insult to the name (but not the few participants). After attending Farnborough now for 64 years I fear that it is finally a case of RIP, for whatever reason. The larger companies seem to have stayed away from the exhibition halls and holed up in their chalets away from the hoi poloi instead - although Leonardo at least had their usual impressive set-up by the entrance. Compared with previous years there was very little in the static park, and even then a number of information boards showed aircraft that had already flown out by Friday morning (such as the 777X).
Time was, ever since I was 7, that the Farnborough Show was where one went to see all the latest advances in aviation, be it military, commercial, GA or experimental; where one could experience the future, just a few noisy feet away, and be inspired as a child to want to become part of it. No longer, it seems. In a world where a significant part of that future will be electric, it was sad for instance that not one single electric powered aircraft could be shown flying. Instead, for me at least, the real highlights of what passed for a 'flying display' were those outstanding but familiar performances by a 41 yr old Chinook helicopter and a 77 year old Spitfire.
So, is it the end for the 'Farnborough Air Show', or have we just experienced an abnormal post-pandemic glitch and will see a glorious return to the days of yore in July 2024?
Time was, ever since I was 7, that the Farnborough Show was where one went to see all the latest advances in aviation, be it military, commercial, GA or experimental; where one could experience the future, just a few noisy feet away, and be inspired as a child to want to become part of it. No longer, it seems. In a world where a significant part of that future will be electric, it was sad for instance that not one single electric powered aircraft could be shown flying. Instead, for me at least, the real highlights of what passed for a 'flying display' were those outstanding but familiar performances by a 41 yr old Chinook helicopter and a 77 year old Spitfire.
So, is it the end for the 'Farnborough Air Show', or have we just experienced an abnormal post-pandemic glitch and will see a glorious return to the days of yore in July 2024?
I
Time was, ever since I was 7, that the Farnborough Show was where one went to see all the latest advances in aviation, be it military, commercial, GA or experimental; where one could experience the future, just a few noisy feet away, and be inspired as a child to want to become part of it. No longer, it seems. In a world where a significant part of that future will be electric, it was sad for instance that not one single electric powered aircraft could be shown flying. Instead, for me at least, the real highlights of what passed for a 'flying display' were those outstanding but familiar performances by a 41 yr old Chinook helicopter and a 77 year old Spitfire.
So, is it the end for the 'Farnborough Air Show', or have we just experienced an abnormal post-pandemic glitch and will see a glorious return to the days of yore in July 2024?
Time was, ever since I was 7, that the Farnborough Show was where one went to see all the latest advances in aviation, be it military, commercial, GA or experimental; where one could experience the future, just a few noisy feet away, and be inspired as a child to want to become part of it. No longer, it seems. In a world where a significant part of that future will be electric, it was sad for instance that not one single electric powered aircraft could be shown flying. Instead, for me at least, the real highlights of what passed for a 'flying display' were those outstanding but familiar performances by a 41 yr old Chinook helicopter and a 77 year old Spitfire.
So, is it the end for the 'Farnborough Air Show', or have we just experienced an abnormal post-pandemic glitch and will see a glorious return to the days of yore in July 2024?
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I sent a video of the A350's display to a friend in Germany who works for AB and moaned about the lack of depth display-wise. He sent back photos and videos of the ILA in Berlin 4 weeks previously and it seems like that was more like the Farnborough of yore. I suppose things have changed and that's just that.
I've attended Farnborough for years from the days when if one attended in service uniform entry was free, to the last one I observed from the top of a BMW car dealers observation platform near the end of the runway in 2018.
Anyway a couple of shots from my photo album showing what was on show in the 1970's/1980's.
Regarding the two Harriers I asked the late John Farley who was piloting these two Harriers as to the likely date and he commented "Your G-VTOL smoke pic was 1976 and the IN SHAR climb out was 1982" - so a long time ago.
Comet - not sure of the mark 4 perhaps?. Viewers went In at the front (left) and out of the back (right)
Interior of B.777 (or Airbus) I think
This tiny Bede BD5J was photo'd in the 1970's. It was piloted by James Bond in the 007 film "Octopussy"
Anyway a couple of shots from my photo album showing what was on show in the 1970's/1980's.
Regarding the two Harriers I asked the late John Farley who was piloting these two Harriers as to the likely date and he commented "Your G-VTOL smoke pic was 1976 and the IN SHAR climb out was 1982" - so a long time ago.
Comet - not sure of the mark 4 perhaps?. Viewers went In at the front (left) and out of the back (right)
Interior of B.777 (or Airbus) I think
This tiny Bede BD5J was photo'd in the 1970's. It was piloted by James Bond in the 007 film "Octopussy"
Last edited by Warmtoast; 25th Jul 2022 at 09:26.
Look at those center armrests. Double width!
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I think the BD-5 was 1976... never seen one and 1978 was the first Farnborough I attended!
I’m sad to say that it’s not just this year’s show that was so feeble. The rot was already well established in 2018. I was working at that show, and I was horrified by the lacklustre flying displays.
But I was lucky enough to persuade Craig Hoyle, the Editor of Flight International magazine, to let me have 500 words on the letters page of his 7-13 August 2018 edition. Here’s the text of that letter (if anyone’s still interested!)
That 2018 letter sparked quite a lot of response, both in the magazine and elsewhere - all of it, as far as I know, agreeing with it.
And of course, in the meantime, Farnborough International decided not to have any more public days on the Saturday and Sunday.
It is, I’m immensely sad to say, the true end of a special era - one that I feel very lucky to have experienced.
airsound
But I was lucky enough to persuade Craig Hoyle, the Editor of Flight International magazine, to let me have 500 words on the letters page of his 7-13 August 2018 edition. Here’s the text of that letter (if anyone’s still interested!)
Over the 70 years since Farnborough started, I have been to every show, with the exception of a couple in the 1960s. Over its seven decades, Farnborough had, of course, become one of the two top international shows, alongside Paris. In the UK, it was, and probably still is, the one air show that practically everybody knows about.
Your Comment article (Flight International 24-30 July) tells us: “…anyone who thought this year’s Farnborough would pass with a whimper was mistaken. … the skies are clear, the seatbelt signs are off, and we are cruising at a comfortable altitude.” That, of course, refers to the trade show part. The flying displays were a totally different matter.
We’ve grown used to unique Farnborough flying displays that have amazed and delighted, but last week’s flying displays were a sad travesty of former glories. The Royal Air Force, in its centenary year, declined to fly any of its displays, limiting itself only to flypasts, even by the Red Arrows. Most days the Typhoon was not to be seen, and nor was the F-35 Lightning.
In order to provide at least some big jet noise, the Flying Display Director had to resort to displays by an ancient Spanish AV8B Harrier and an even older US Air Force F-16C, displaying twice on some days. And the displays that did take place were further away from the audience, vertically and horizontally.
The reason for all this? Mainly that Farnborough, with its surrounding built-up areas, has become a totally unsuitable venue for the safety requirements of a modern air show. That had been the case for a while, but new regulations brought in after the Shoreham crash in 2015 have sealed its fate. It has had to instigate “the Farnborough bowl”, whereby, put simply, the further a displaying aircraft is from display datum, the higher it has to be. This drastically affects approved and practised display sequences, and was responsible at least in part for the RAF’s refusal to fly any of its displays.
I saw the whole programme on the Friday (the last trade day), and the Sunday (the final public day). There were valiant efforts by the Blades aerobatic display team and the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, some lovely ‘warbirds’, and Airbus had retiring Chief Test Pilot Peter Chandler give the expected brilliant display of the A350-1000.
But I have to say that, in four decades of commentating at air shows, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such lacklustre and uninspiring display programming at any major show, let alone Farnborough.
Clearly, the trade show was the usual resounding success, with huge orders announced, but future flying displays at the event should now be in doubt.
Going to air shows is still immensely popular in the UK, ranking amongst the top outdoor spectator activities, with millions attending each year. I’m sad to report that Farnborough has finally dived, vertiginously, from its decades-long pre-eminent position.
Your Comment article (Flight International 24-30 July) tells us: “…anyone who thought this year’s Farnborough would pass with a whimper was mistaken. … the skies are clear, the seatbelt signs are off, and we are cruising at a comfortable altitude.” That, of course, refers to the trade show part. The flying displays were a totally different matter.
We’ve grown used to unique Farnborough flying displays that have amazed and delighted, but last week’s flying displays were a sad travesty of former glories. The Royal Air Force, in its centenary year, declined to fly any of its displays, limiting itself only to flypasts, even by the Red Arrows. Most days the Typhoon was not to be seen, and nor was the F-35 Lightning.
In order to provide at least some big jet noise, the Flying Display Director had to resort to displays by an ancient Spanish AV8B Harrier and an even older US Air Force F-16C, displaying twice on some days. And the displays that did take place were further away from the audience, vertically and horizontally.
The reason for all this? Mainly that Farnborough, with its surrounding built-up areas, has become a totally unsuitable venue for the safety requirements of a modern air show. That had been the case for a while, but new regulations brought in after the Shoreham crash in 2015 have sealed its fate. It has had to instigate “the Farnborough bowl”, whereby, put simply, the further a displaying aircraft is from display datum, the higher it has to be. This drastically affects approved and practised display sequences, and was responsible at least in part for the RAF’s refusal to fly any of its displays.
I saw the whole programme on the Friday (the last trade day), and the Sunday (the final public day). There were valiant efforts by the Blades aerobatic display team and the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, some lovely ‘warbirds’, and Airbus had retiring Chief Test Pilot Peter Chandler give the expected brilliant display of the A350-1000.
But I have to say that, in four decades of commentating at air shows, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such lacklustre and uninspiring display programming at any major show, let alone Farnborough.
Clearly, the trade show was the usual resounding success, with huge orders announced, but future flying displays at the event should now be in doubt.
Going to air shows is still immensely popular in the UK, ranking amongst the top outdoor spectator activities, with millions attending each year. I’m sad to report that Farnborough has finally dived, vertiginously, from its decades-long pre-eminent position.
And of course, in the meantime, Farnborough International decided not to have any more public days on the Saturday and Sunday.
It is, I’m immensely sad to say, the true end of a special era - one that I feel very lucky to have experienced.
airsound
Not quite - it was an Eastern Airlines aircraft. Arrived at LHR in basic EAL colours, then had Court Line logos applied for a demo to them at Manchester, subsequently had BEA's "Speedjack" applied to the tail and BEA logo for its Farnborough appearance.
Here it is at Tempelhof during its demo tour:
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 1, N305EA / 193A-1006, Lockheed Aircraft (BEA colours) : ABPic
Here it is at Tempelhof during its demo tour:
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 1, N305EA / 193A-1006, Lockheed Aircraft (BEA colours) : ABPic
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,614
Received 289 Likes
on
158 Posts
I’m sad to say that it’s not just this year’s show that was so feeble. The rot was already well established in 2018. I was working at that show, and I was horrified by the lacklustre flying displays.
But I was lucky enough to persuade Craig Hoyle, the Editor of Flight International magazine, to let me have 500 words on the letters page of his 7-13 August 2018 edition. Here’s the text of that letter (if anyone’s still interested!)
That 2018 letter sparked quite a lot of response, both in the magazine and elsewhere - all of it, as far as I know, agreeing with it.
And of course, in the meantime, Farnborough International decided not to have any more public days on the Saturday and Sunday.
It is, I’m immensely sad to say, the true end of a special era - one that I feel very lucky to have experienced.
airsound
But I was lucky enough to persuade Craig Hoyle, the Editor of Flight International magazine, to let me have 500 words on the letters page of his 7-13 August 2018 edition. Here’s the text of that letter (if anyone’s still interested!)
That 2018 letter sparked quite a lot of response, both in the magazine and elsewhere - all of it, as far as I know, agreeing with it.
And of course, in the meantime, Farnborough International decided not to have any more public days on the Saturday and Sunday.
It is, I’m immensely sad to say, the true end of a special era - one that I feel very lucky to have experienced.
airsound
Warmtoast,
Comet is surely a Mark 4B. I seem to recall they had that door arrangement, and that was the model ordered by BEA.
As a aside, what was the reasoning behind having the forward PAX door on the starboard side on the Comet 4B?
Comet is surely a Mark 4B. I seem to recall they had that door arrangement, and that was the model ordered by BEA.
As a aside, what was the reasoning behind having the forward PAX door on the starboard side on the Comet 4B?
Guest
Farnborough suffers from the memories of it's past and the ghosts of accidents not so past (not necessarily Farnborough related).
Air shows have declined in general over the years combined with high prices, the economy and the downturn of civil and military aviation.
It's also a victim of our expectations. My first air show without my parents featured two P51's, some WW1 and a black Hunter (plus a few of the stalwarts).
Regs and the council still wondering if they will get `their` Shoreham moment in what is a very built up area.
I suspect the show will eventually wind down.
Air shows have declined in general over the years combined with high prices, the economy and the downturn of civil and military aviation.
It's also a victim of our expectations. My first air show without my parents featured two P51's, some WW1 and a black Hunter (plus a few of the stalwarts).
Regs and the council still wondering if they will get `their` Shoreham moment in what is a very built up area.
I suspect the show will eventually wind down.
