Anyone going to Avalon Airshow?

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #1 20-02-2011, 11:05 AM

Hi all,

Just curious, is anyone going to the Avalon Airshow this year? I know there are Astrocamps to attend etc.. but I was given a couple of free tickets so I am going this year... If anyone is going, anyone going to be camping in Lara?

M110 (Andrew) · #2 20-02-2011, 01:16 PM

Have you been before? I went in 2001 amd it was very good. But probably won't go because of the expense, flights, accomdation, etc.
If you haven't been before and like planes it is awesome. As long as you don't mind crowds, there 200,000 each of the open days.

pgc hunter · #3 20-02-2011, 03:08 PM

I'll probably go. Apparently the US Airforce is bringing the B-2 Spirit and the F-22, although the F-22 will be only on static display. It'll be worth going just for these and the B-1

http://www.airshow.net.au/avalon2011...g-display.html

Hopefully it's not a wintry washout like last time.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #4 20-02-2011, 03:14 PM

Never been before, the crowds might be a problem (don't like big crowds) but to hear and see the jets in all they're glory will be enough for me. I'll be staying at the Airshow campsite, so that will be interesting in it'self

all a good experience hopefully...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 20-02-2011, 03:19 PM

I used to work at the Avalon Air Show when I lived at Lara, but haven't been back for about 6 years.

I still have one of the staff Ties.

It is excellent, but yep, crowded.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #6 20-02-2011, 03:42 PM

I went to it many years ago, 1993 I think and loved it. My brother came along with his wife who had no interest in aeroplanes, but when time came to go couldn't drag her out of there.
I also remember a few years ago travelling down the Geelong Road that weekend and stopping for a bite at the roadhouse near the airfield, looked out the window and there was a B52 flying by. The USAF flew it nonstop from Diego Garcia in the middle of the Indian Ocean for the show. From memory it didn't land just did some passes then headed of again.
Of course the best (and worst) airshow I have been to was the annual warbirds show at RAF Duxford in England in 1996. Show was brillant, Sopwith Camels, Mustangs, Spifires, fly past by the only airworthy Lancaster then in existence in Britain escorted by some Spits.
The worst part of the show was a P38 Lightning crashed while doing a low level roll killing the pilot.
If you ever are in that part of the world the Imperial War Museum and other stuff at Duxford is a must see, and if they have an airshow on, make sure you get there.

Malcolm

Trixie (Carey) · #7 20-02-2011, 06:51 PM

Those who have been before, do you think it would be too crowded for a 4yo to see anything? My boys have been airplane crazy for the past year and I thought if they still were next year I might take them but just wondering if it is worth it for smaller kids?

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 20-02-2011, 07:50 PM

As a staff member on a few occasions I did notice that small kids (under 10) were having a great day for the first 2-3 hours.
After that it became all a bit too much as the crowd grew and grew and grew and the noise levels rose (Planes and music and narration), and they got hungry and there is no shelter from sun or rain.
The 'static' displays cover a very large area and you have to walk over long distances, so be ready for that.
Unless you can push to the front of the barriers they won't see much of the 'active' displays (bombing run, etc) unless you find a good clear spot way back from the crowds.
My kids were aged about 4, 7, & 10 when they went and they had a great day, but we had umberellas for shade and took our own food and drink.
We also didn't push to the front as almost everyone else did. We stayed well back and had a crowd free area and could see reasonably well.

I'm sure they will enjoy it, as long as you prepare well. Take something for shade (or rain cover), food & drink, (even a ground blanket to sit on for those tired legs) and after walking around and seeing everything find a spot at the back away from the main crowd for watching the show.

I saw many little kids tired but still enjoying everything late in the afternoon.

M110 (Andrew) · #9 20-02-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

Those who have been before, do you think it would be too crowded for a 4yo to see anything? My boys have been airplane crazy for the past year and I thought if they still were next year I might take them but just wondering if it is worth it for smaller kids?

Get there as early as you can to avoid the worst of the crowds. I went with a friend who had been before, and he suggested getting there as the gates open which we did. We were able to go and see all of the static displays beforre the flying started. For the flight displays if you can afford the grandstand seating it was so much better than the general entry. The general entry was just like concert general entry, first in best dressed. If you have little kids they might not be able to see much. The grandstands were raised above the general entry section. If you're taking little kids, you might want to think about ear-plugs, it is very, very loud. When the first plane took off I stood up up on my seat and yelled, and couldn't hear my-self, it was that loud. For the flight display you are no more 80-100 metres from the runway.

Hope that helps
Andrew

Trixie (Carey) · #10 21-02-2011, 07:51 AM

Thank you for the info, it is a real help, I hadnt thought about the noise either!

pgc hunter · #11 26-02-2011, 02:43 AM

Looks like Blankets and Alaskan overcoats will be the order of the day for the airshow (just like for most of crummer 2010-11), in true subarctic permanent nuclear winter Failbourne fashion http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml

btw, some of those jets are literally ear splitting. Ear plugs are a must if you don't have both hands free to block your ears! The Superhornet and the B-1 bomber, wow you haven't experienced noise until you've seen one of these in flight

I really hope the USAF will make good on their promise of the B-1, B-2 and the F-22.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #12 26-02-2011, 07:22 AM

Yeah not looking that hot for the weather unfortunately, but may see a couple of nice days amongst it... Anything can change in a week though. Agree also, hope that the USAF hold promise, I hope my mate who does volunteering there comes through and lets me know

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #13 01-03-2011, 07:58 AM

Wx looking good, and just heard there are 2 x F-22 Raptors at Avalon, 1 Static, 1 will be displaying AWESOME! I leave for Vic Tomorrow AM, Can't wait

pgc hunter · #14 01-03-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astroman

Wx looking good, and just heard there are 2 x F-22 Raptors at Avalon, 1 Static, 1 will be displaying AWESOME! I leave for Vic Tomorrow AM, Can't wait

They won't be flying.

pgc hunter · #15 04-03-2011, 12:50 AM

Weather is now looking decent for both days with sunshine, so none of the rotting crap from last year.

The F-22s won't be putting on a display, apparently because the only pilot certified to do airshow displays in that aircraft is unavailable, on this particular weekend ofcourse , of all the goddamned freaking weekends in the Earth's lifespan

Yeah, so they go to all the effort and expense to fly two raptors halfway across the world, along with escorts and mid-air refuelling, only for them to sit on the asphalt for 2 days. Wtf???? I'm hoping for a surprise last minute change of heart

Which days are you attending Astroman?

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #16 04-03-2011, 06:35 AM

I am attending all three days, get to see a bit of everything and soak up the show... I'll be staying at the Lara camp ground for two nights and goto Snake Valley on Sunday.