RAF Waddington 2013 voice your views

[Phill]

Although we have to accept a decline due to the global recession, not just at waddington but also other shows, surely the organisers should reflect this in ticket pricing and perhaps consider dropping the price when there is little to attract the enthusiast. This year was no more than a fly in! Personally I enjoyed wickenby wings n wheels event more. Still, as I said, its not just waddington, personally I cannot justify spending money on the annual fairford trip this year due to a lack of aircraft.

Let's all hope things pick up in the future!

Phill

[Tronk 11]

I didn't go this year, & I guess quite a few people on this site didn't either. They cater for the masses & we aren't.

I doubt I'd need 10 hours to go around the show? The static display had how many aircraft in it? If people are happy with this airshow the organisers WON'T bother making them better, your happy! Did I not go because it was so bad? The simple answer is yes.

Less shows should mean more chances for the airforces to send aircraft, shouldn't it? Something isn't quite right. The organisers should hang their heads in shame, but will say they made £xxx for charity.

I love the RAFBF & would never knock the charity & what they do.

[downes0106]

I get sick and tired of people slagging off airshow organisers. Do you really think they take the attitude that "lets just get some planes in - the public will come anyway"? They put a lot of effort in to these events, and I am sure they try and get more aircraft which the "enthusiasts" will enjoy, but we are in difficult times worldwide. To suggest they should hang their heads because they didn't get the Polish F-16's or Spanish Typhoons - they are here on operational training, not to attend an airshow! I suppose the US should have sent the AC-130 and B-1 parked up at Mildenhall, despite the fact that they are not attending any airshows! And to suggest the Swedish only came to sell aircraft - since when has Waddo been a trade show! And with regards airshows reducing the prices because there are less aircraft - it probably makes very little difference in the costs of staging the event, and they cannot operate the shows at a loss. People may well look back on this airshow in future years, and wish that they could have these times again (as those of us old enough all do now for the airshows of the past).

[Widget 01]

In my opinion the static aircraft on show was abysmal. There was a whole line of civvy or ex military props down the main static line, with the military primarily been situated on Alpha and the back end of Foxtrot. Aircraft wise it was poor, however at least there were some catches on show such as the Algerian C-130. Airshows are more for the public now a days rather than the spotter, so for me to make 15 military aircraft I thought was fairly reasonable, but my opinion on the static still stands the same! However a thoroughly enjoyed myself it was a great day out and the weather was superb!!! Bring on next year !!
Ben

[hertsman]

I went to Friday's PAVE, and was surprised at just how busy it was. Good value for money in my opinion. This sort of arrangement is more in tune with my enthusiast’s needs than a public show with all that that entails.

And therein lays the rub: the general public’s desire for entertainment, amusements and diversions is not identical to the enthusiast’s need for close observation and detailed inspection of the intricacies of the aircraft. There is an overlap in the middle where all want to see thrilling aerobatic displays, but even here the enthusiast will want prime positions for photography while the public just wants to be able to see and make sure their kids can see it all too. And a small civvy may not set the juices flowing for a cynical, grizzled old mil spotter yet thrill and delight a youngster, maybe even triggering a lifetime's interest, who knows? More than 100,000 members of the public flock to the show to be entertained in the broadest sense; probably less than 5% demand a more privileged and focused event in keeping with their greater knowledge of aviation. The numbers alone suggest that the minority is likely to be less satisfied than the majority. Those enthusiasts who take their families may have a foot in both camps. But there is a potential friction between the needs of the two groups.

The organisers of a show such as Waddington have a difficult job. They need maximum numbers through the gate to both justify the event and raise money for charities and public awareness of the RAF, and they have to do this while constrained by operational needs of the base and the availability of a shrinking number of participants at home and abroad. They have to play the numbers game and while they will not want to alienate any section of their audience, the views of 95,000 will carry more weight than 5,000. Pleasing all the people all the time has long been recognised as a futile challenge.

As an enthusiast, I now aim for a more targeted, ‘boutique’, experience, So I head for trade days, PAVE days or limited access days to Coningsby or Holbeach for example. Or even just an ad hoc visit to a base where, often courtesy of a ‘heads up’ from the good folk on FC, something a little out of the ordinary may be about to happen. That there is a degree of unpredictability is part of the thrill if the out of the ordinary actually occurs.

I seldom attend big public days as I feel that the attendant inconvenience that comes with such mass events is not sufficiently offset by what is on show. This is a personal opinion and many enthusiasts will think otherwise and that’s fine. This may require acceptance that the day is not geared primarily to their requirements: with the opportunity to see the different stuff at big shows comes the fact that the experience has to be shared with thousands of other paying customers who may make it harder for you to get what you want out of the day.

And so the conclusions? Big shows can be a fantastic event or huge disappointment for the enthusiast. This can be a very personal opinion. There can be lots of downside to the benefits of seeing rare or different stuff. If you chose to go, be prepared for the drawbacks as well as the benefits. If, like me, you are not so tolerant, pick your events carefully.

Either way, enjoy!

hertsman

[mh64@hotmail.com]

I went, I enjoyed it and I got value for my money.

[blakey]

I went, I enjoyed it and I got value for my money.

Best post of the Thread

[benyboy]

I just have the same complaints I have every year - cars driving around in the crowd and a disproportionate amount of enclosures to general public spaces on the flight line.
I enjoyed the day and thought there were some good displays ... I will be going PAVE next year

[Scorchedgrey]

What really upset me was at 03:00 Saturday morning they tweeted this,
"Due to heavy demand for advance tickets no tickets are available on the gate today. Please don't attempt to visit without an advance ticket."
Despite the website saying tickets would be available on the day, and was still saying last night.
So I didn't go.
If they say tickets will be available on the day, then the organisers should hold back some tickets for those of us who have to rely on public transport and travel long distances to get to airshows. Or make it a ticket only like Fairford, Then I could have arranged to get a ticket.
VPO

What tosh - if you wanted to go why on earth didn't you buy a ticket in advance? I really can't see why the organisers should cop flak because they've managed to sell out!

"Full price on-the-day tickets will be available on the day but are subject to availability." That's what it says on the web site - no promise that tickets will be available.

Neil

[airfixpilot]

Well just been looking at the comments of you guys who went to the airshow (Saturday). By all accounts the static wern't much, with civilian stuck in with military aircraft. Us enthusiats go to airshows with the intention of persuing our hobby, with a dedication. On the other hand Jo Public go for the day out and entertainment. OK I myself can only read between the lines of the posts as I did not go to the show. I would have liked to have gone .

The old saying you cannot please everyone springs to mind, as each has a idea of how you would like to See and Do, hangar display/airshow. TOO many F16?, Not the Reds Again?-on & on We enthusiasts complain, were as Mr & MRS Public + kids enjoy the event, with going into the hangars, listerning to bands and other attractions away from the flight line and display flying. Going on from the static park, the airforces of the world are I guess having cutbacks like our own, and can Only send aircraft + Pilots and crew who are available. Some countrys may be lucky to send two aircraft, and use one for an display. I dont know but was an RAF C17 Globemaster there??, as when I enquired to the airshow office about one month back, about one, they said none was available for the show due to comittments, so you see you should take the Airshow as a package.

I am Now awaiting Views on Sundays Airshow, but maybe it maybe a bit more positive today, who knows. I would have liked to have attended Waddington 2013, but could not afford the addmission (Another subject, in another post), but if you guys enjoyed the day GREAT, at least you had fantastic weather for it.

David

ps: I am looking forward to photos taken and posts about the displays ect ect.

[big john]

What tosh - if you wanted to go why on earth didn't you buy a ticket in advance? I really can't see why the organisers should cop flak because they've managed to sell out!

"Full price on-the-day tickets will be available on the day but are subject to availability." That's what it says on the web site - no promise that tickets will be available.

Neil

Simple I do not have a credit card.
What I understand by subject to availability, is get there early as there will only be a few tickets available.

[baz1]

I'm coming from a point of view of being there Thurs & Fri but not Sat, I am going tomorrow:

I think as money gets tight more will look at the PAVE and think it gives more value, more movements and even 7 display slots for the Friday, for £5 I think its good value. I think the main days are getting a little over priced but not too much. I don't know what static was like as I say I haven't been yet. There does seem to be less and less each year but I'm not sure if its specific to waddington. A lot of people have mentioned other international teams being disbanded and US Airshows are on a proper decline. If it wasn't for the F-16's (as it does seem to be unofficially F-16 themed this year) there would not be much serving military at all.

I did wonder if this and the recession would make people more likely to attend Thurs/Fri/Mon than Sat/Sun. Although Fri was busy a sell out 78,000 went today, so doesn't look like visitor numbers declined. I'm wondering if the "normal" sat/sun crowd want different things to the members here, for example more entertainment/trade less military? Just a thought. I do think they should attack the routes for the Airshow better but that's just me, although its a local issue to with the lack of a bypass round Lincoln and the commitment is now to a single carriageway! Having moved near to the single carriageway section of the bypass I bang my head against the wall will midday traffic jams all the time, its useless, why they would contemplate building more single carriageway is beyond me!

They are my thoughts, other than the bypass issue I have no major opinions either way.

if more people start to visit the PAVE you watch the price rocket!

[Scorchedgrey]

What tosh - if you wanted to go why on earth didn't you buy a ticket in advance? I really can't see why the organisers should cop flak because they've managed to sell out!

"Full price on-the-day tickets will be available on the day but are subject to availability." That's what it says on the web site - no promise that tickets will be available.

Neil

Simple I do not have a credit card.
What I understand by subject to availability, is get there early as there will only be a few tickets available.

No, subject to availability means just that - tickets will be available if there are any.

I'm sure you could have bought a ticket with a debit card either online or over the phone. You probably could have got a prepaid credit card and used that.

If you have no way of buying things on line you really are missing out - not just on airshow tickets but a whole range of bargains that can be had.

Neil

[Mayfly]

Although we have to accept a decline due to the global recession, not just at waddington but also other shows, surely the organisers should reflect this in ticket pricing and perhaps consider dropping the price when there is little to attract the enthusiast. This year was no more than a fly in! Personally I enjoyed wickenby wings n wheels event more. Still, as I said, its not just waddington, personally I cannot justify spending money on the annual fairford trip this year due to a lack of aircraft.

Let's all hope things pick up in the future!

Phill

It still costs them the same amount for insurance, toilet hire, barrier hire, waste disposal, grandstands, marquees etc, etc so dropping the price to reflect what is or isn't considered a good line up isn't going to work. With 78,000 through the gates yesterday they must doing something right.

[DAVEBRAD]

I personally think it was a poor show,static very thin if I wanted to see a c.150 I will go a local airfield,not as billed 1 of,,or the premier RAF show,but there were a few good items,£22 book in advance plus nearly £3 booking charge wer,nt the govt.looking into these charges? I went on train arrived at Lincoln at 1016,joined the queue by the station doors,got on a bus at 1045,arrived at the show at 1115,it seemed as though there was only 2-3 buses doing the run.I,m not going RIAT because I think the show,s are priceing themselves out,i understand the difficulties getting a/c to the shows,but once you lose the good will of the crowd you,ve lost a air-show I know enthusists are only 5% but we go every year,not when the sun,s shining and it ,s a day out for the wife and kids.
Rant over,but I think I will miss next year.

[DAVEBRAD]

Phill[/quote]

It still costs them the same amount for insurance, toilet hire, barrier hire, waste disposal, grandstands, marquees etc, etc so dropping the price to reflect what is or isn't considered a good line up isn't going to work. With 78,000 through the gates yesterday they must doing something right.[/quote]


they had the sun...

[roughcutter]

Two weeks ago I attended the successful airshow at Volkel Holland, a few weeks prior to this I was at Chateaudun France for their open day, last weekend witnessed the Austrian airshow at Zelweg.
Three major air events in three different countries all of them admission - FREE!!!! Rather ironic wouldn't you say?

[Scorchedgrey]

Two weeks ago I attended the successful airshow at Volkel Holland, a few weeks prior to this I was at Chateaudun France for their open day, last weekend witnessed the Austrian airshow at Zelweg.
Three major air events in three different countries all of them admission - FREE!!!! Rather ironic wouldn't you say?

Go on, why's it ironic?

[MacksAviation]

They set up for the masses rather than the guys on this website.

Enlighten me... I can't for the life of me imagine why they would do that.. . Anybody would think that enthusiats were in the minority at airshows!

As for my two-pennarth, the Vulcan display was truly, truly awful. If you want a decent view of its display go to Cranwell as its closer there than it was to the crowdline this afternoon. Anybody would think they were trying to eek a couple more seasons (and, no doubt a few more quid from Joe Public) out of the airframe

Why fly one of the main showpiece acts at 12 o'clock when the sun is in its worst position for those who paid for a ticket rather than the topside tosspots peering over the fence from the A15.

And next year advertise a 5 hour flying display that runs for 5 hours hours not 7....

Sorry Northolt Knobber sorry Nobbler ..... Wake up smell the roses your rose tinted specs need changing !!!

Times have changed I can guarantee 95% of those who attend Waddington and a vast majority of airshows wouldn't have a clue what was actually flying in the display be it a Bulldog or a Viggen !!.

I for one welcome the income to charities that Waddington and other displays generate be it for local good causes or service charities, as an ex-serviceman you never know when you might need some help !!

Are you trying to talk from a photographers point of view ? If you are I guess you need to look at a different approach to getting the shot you want and be creative !!! Unless of course you are after the side on A.net boring as shot ! Then you are truly screwed if the sun is in your face.

Static was poor but I don't go to airshows to shoot static aircraft besides god forbid there is a barrier, cone or fairground in your shot that would give you something else to complain about!!!! The flying display from any angle was pretty damn good for these times of budget cuts and over stretched resources.

I always stand by my views that £30 for an airshow is value for money considering what you pay to watch football of any type !

Surprised your not complaining it was hot and you got sunburnt be thankful its wasn't persistently raining

Of course if you reply was tongue in cheek I retract my comments and LMFAO !!

3 days at an airshow beats 3 days working

[halky68]

Well having read all posts in this debate all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it! Roll on next year! Thanks again waddington airshow organisers... Long may this show continue.. It would be a very sad loss if another airshow went by the wayside... Alcondbury... Church Fenton... Finningley to name but a few...chapeau! And I wonder how many people would bemoan the loss!