Disappointing FI2012

[Scaleybrat]

Just completed 3 days of 'stand duty' at Farnborough and have to say it was a real disappointment from a static/flying display viewpoint.

No F-35 (except plastic model outside the LM chalet) - you think the program could have done with some positive promotion with all the negative publicity it has received over schedule delays and spiralling cost

No P-8 Poseidon - with the current UK angst with no true dedicated MPA capability, you'd have thought Boeing would have taken the opportunity to display their new baby

No Voyager - I know the test flight program might be a priority but not even a flypast

A400M Atlas - once again doesn't fly at an international airshow (also missed Paris last year) due to unknown engine issues

No Rafale - Indian deal at too sensitive a stage to stick 2 fingers up at Eurofighter?

With no access to the Halls, hopefully some of the old favourites will justify the admission price on the Public Days or there will some disappointed punters.

[skywatch]

"with no access to the halls"


Does this mean that the halls will be closed to the public at the weekend?

That was the most interesting part!

Skywatch

[scalp91]

"with no access to the halls"


Does this mean that the halls will be closed to the public at the weekend?

That was the most interesting part!

Skywatch

Yes, from the Farnborough site:-

Daily Entrance Tickets for Farnborough Airshow 2012 are now available to purchase. There are a number of ticket types and packages for public visitors to choose from. Please read the following options carefully before making your selection. Don’t forget on Saturday and Sunday Exhibition Halls are closed and Kids Go Free with a ticket-holding adult.

Considering how busy the halls normally are, the showground will be rather crowded with no-one allowed inside!

[skywatch]

Well, that's made my mind up then - I'm not going!

Thanks very much for the info, saved me a journey! ;-)

SKywatch

[tim_raper]

Farnborough has always had the catchment of the southeast's push chair brigade to secure its public day punters.
Don't forget the main reason it's there in the first place, the people it's aimed at during the trade days wouldn't know a plastic F35 one from a real one now would they?

[Viper28]

Did Farnbrough yestersday and I have to agree it was, in some elements disappointing, esp. the lack of BAe Systems participation in the flying display (no Typhoon (although one was there parked over the farside) and no Hawk T2). A400M was suppose to fly but yet again gearbox issues grounded it. Saw the VC22 display at RIAT and thought I'd missed something but no, it was just as bad at FI2012. If you going to see that IMHO don't bother. Have too say I was not particularly bothered about the halls but I did walk through a couple (no one asked for a pass / ticket )

On the positive side, the US static park people were excellent, really friendly - spent a lot of time with the pilots there. A380 display was awesome, it put the 787 to shame. F/A-18F and the T50 solo was also pretty good. Saab Gripen was polished but its a shame it was not the NG.

Oh lest I forget, traffic management and parking.... well it took me two hours to get out the airfield, bus to parking in a field, through the woods, through the confussed traffic police / hi-vis mob and onto the M3. I cleared RIAT on Sunday in less than 20-minutes!