Having worked for the Air Show this week, I did experience first hand the flying displays and perhaps they could have been a bit more impressive but they were still very very good. With regards to the queues for buses and car parks - we were dealing with world cup final numbers so we were told. To get people on these buses safely it did take longer. The same with security - we had to do the job effectively. People did complain at the queues, which is fair enough. However if we didn't do the job as we were supposed to and heaven forbid someone did get through with a forbidden object, the same people would waste no time in compaining again.
The price of the ticket is a bit steep, but considering all that was on offer, I think it was fair.

All in all Farnborough was and is a great event and long may it continue!!!

Having visited farnborough for the first time in more than ten years, I thought the show was very dull compared to what it used to be. In the past most of the exhibits used to fly but on saturday it was just a run of the mill airshow with the addition of the A380(excellent display).
Entry cost was fair
1.5 hours in a Q from the M3(not good)
Arrived at the rushmoor car park, huge Q for the shuttle bus and no buses, 20 min walk instead(which was probably quicker than waiting for the bus!!!)
On the whole disappointed

Just out of interest, what did you think of the Gate F staff??!!!

My wife and I went on Friday. Parked in car park I and the shuttle bus to Gate F was right by the car. Very impressed with that. Entry at Gate F through security was not too difficult, and the staff were pretty good-natured as far as I could see.

The flying display was OK. The Vulcan was worth the money on its own - that wonderful roar. By comparison, one could hardly hear the A380 except when it landed and used reverse thrust. Impressed with the A380 doing a fly by at 92kts, only just above my usual approach speed in my spamcan. The reds were gave their usual professional performance, despite a low cloudbase, but I think the Blades are actually more impressive. Maybe I have got a bit jaundiced about the Reds after seeing them so many times.

We had seats in the grandstand which was well worth the money, as it was sited at display centre.

Getting out on Friday after the display ended was not diificult, having used the shuttle bus once again.

All in all, a good show and good value to boot.

My only disappointment was the tech problem on the DC-6 that prevented it flying. Oh yes, I echo the previous comments about the Bone. Very boring indeed.

I'll certainly go back in 2010.

Lysander

To those complaining about the B1 - I think you will find that the rest of the week was tainted by a rather 'enthusiastic' flypast on the Tuesday.

I was at the end of the runway (on the hill above Eelmore) and I was still shaking 5 minutes later - I have never heard a noise like it - and it was between the crowdline and runway (rather than the display line).

Overall, the show was better than it has been in recent years, although it would have been even better if the F22 had stayed past Monday.

Why did the Slovak Mig-29's turn up and stay in the static ? Seemed a wasted opportunity, especially as the Mig OVT was not there, this time.

I was in on the Friday and experienced the Vulcan - well done to all concerned.

So, roll on Farnborough 2010 and thanks for this year's effort. :ok:

Paul.

I went on Saturday and thought it was all fine. I went solely because of the Vulcan, but apart from that plenty of other stuff impressed. Namely the A380 (great display, particularly the high-alpha slow pass. Only the F18 did that manoeuvre better); the F18; Blades; Reds; etc.

I saw stuff I have never seen (with my own eyes) fly before - PBY, Bone, A380 for example.

No BBMF? I thought they were on the playlist or did they go tech?

Maybe the playlist was the wrong way round - should have built up (literally) to a crescendo, rather than putting the fast/loud stuff all up front.

558 was very tame (even in comparison with Waddo a couple of weeks ago) but I heard that they got a good bollocking from the CAA on Friday (wish I had seen that one!) and had to back off... := :* Still, it's a miracle she's up there at all, so we should be V. grateful for that.

I thought the WW1 dogfight re-enactment was actually quite interesting - well done to all involved. Never seen that before.

There was plenty of stuff for the kids, which was a real deal-maker in my case.

About 3hrs from Nottingham-ish to the door. Not bad. Less on the way back.

Yes, I'd go again.

It was too windy for the BBMF.

Farnborough 2008 - Gate F
 

Thanks! Nice to know someone had good things to say about us instead of complaining!!!!

farnborough Moans ARE Nonsence
 

hi

There has and always will be moans about the Show and any Show
for that matter but given the Weather Mid week and the winds at
weekend they show went very Well. Saturday BBMF cancelled due
to wind problems . The Prices for refreshments were always high
but those who Attend these events know to bring there own.
BUSES this show FREE from Stations big Saving for Some I used
them to see what they were like and a good service but for
getting there in morning through the traffic and at Security.Again
very Friendly and no real problems. As for display very good given
the amount of new types that were there only gripe was the B1
What really was that there for .
For locals we had the usual traffic diversions and delays but all
in all traffic was no worse than Usual try this week Road works
all over the town real Chaos . So well done to ALL And roll on
2010 and the next show

TONY
FARNBOROUGH RESIDENT And aviation Enthusiast

Duxford (IWM) is north of Watford. Admittedly their displays are of a more historic nature - nothing 21st century and even the Vulcan is a bit modern

I went on the first day, first time on a trade day, thankfully on a free ticket. It was nice not having to endure the masses that are there on the public days although the flying display wasn't that great, except for the F-22.

I wanted to see the Vulcan, so went back on the Sunday afternoon but rather than pay £28, we sat outside in the car park at the BMW dealership and watched from there.

Farnborough has always been a bit of a strange show. As it is predominantly a trade show, the trade are not to bothered about the flying displays as they know what the a/c can do so the flying display during the week is pretty lame. They then just seem to open it to the public for the last weekend, but by that time most of the trade have gone home, and taken their toys with them, so the public too end up with a fairly lame airshow tagged on at the end.

IMHO, if you want to go see and AIRshow, then FNB is not the one to visit, thats what the likes of Waddington and Fairford (granted this years was canx for exceptional reasons) are geared towards, the actual flying and static displays for the public. FNB is about wooing the trade with drinks and canape's in chalets, who know what an aircraft looks like so don't really need to see them on display or flying.

I think the £28 is a bit steep really, but that seems about the normal price these days for an airshow.

:)

Why not goto to the Lowestoft (Most eastern point of Britain without getting your feet wet, lol) airshow? 2 days (Thursday and Friday) on the seafront and it's free, however donations are gratefully received, even if it's £1 per person. Had the Vulcan there as well this year. The council offer a park and ride scheme (think its about £5'ish) or come by train and get dropped off 5 minutes walk to the seafront. Maybe make a long weekend of it and watch the Honda world speedboat championship, plus other attractions (e.g. 1000 motorbike calcavade on the sunday). Yep, Red arrows are also at the show doing there displays, plus Battle of Britain memorials, meet the pilots, etc... Not sure what the website address is, but googles' your friend ;-)

Cheers

farnborough Rip off
 

hi

We here the same Story every show but then the attendance still broke all
previous records . Yes prices are bad for food and drinks but any show
has those problems .Show regulars will take there own and do . Getting
to the show and most Shows including RIAT Can be a nightmare but again
people choose to come by car even when they know its chaos .
Farnborough 2008 was not a classic those days are long gone but the
crowds and people will be there in July 2010 So will the moaners
and groaners they Will be there and at RIAT as well
Good luck to RIAT They need it Next Show .
And yes I live in Farnborough and get around just as well at show time
because we leave more time to do things we have our own little moans
with the visitors just to keep em happy having something to moan about

Tony
farnborough local