Family-friendly display

[memberinessex]

I have posed specific information about the Great Yarmouth 2018 display under seaside shows but in the press release the organiser (Ian Sheeley) says “You tend to find seafront crowds are more family-orientated, as the enthusiast will generally want to see the aircraft on the ground close-up, as well as watching them fly.” what do forum members think of having "family friendly" displays and are you less likely to attend them?

I have attended Eastbourne (once) and Clacton (many times) but the problems of travel and then getting a good vantage point lessen the appeal Wing-walkers, parachute teams etc don't really appeal to me. Having said that I will attend Clacton (which is local to me) if there is a single "show stopper". I would not travel further unless much of the promised display appealed. Regarding the first point of the quote I have attended many events at Duxford over the years and only once have paid to walk the flight-line. Seeing aircraft on the ground is not a selling point for me - they belong in the air.

[The Baron]

To me "family friendly" suggests a poor to mediocre line up consisting of what many would consider filler items. It suggests a display that doesn't think outside the box.
For example: Wingwalkers, a Pitts Special or two, an aerobatics display, a Spitfire, Autogyro, maybe a Jet Provost and potentially the RAF Typhoon/BBMF/RAFAT.
That's not to say I have anything against the talented pilots that fly these types, but they are your usual seaside show displays.

I also agree with you, aircraft are meant to be seen in the air. It's nice to see some up close on the ground, but in the air is much better.

[Brevet Cable]

'Family friendly' -- something that's not full of extremely loud modern fighters which spend most of their time either screaming along at a rate of knots ( blink & you've missed them ) or doing full-power vertical climbs until you can't see them.

[jaguar54]

I thinks Old Warden does some great little family shows, you often see families sitting on the grass having a picnic etc

[Wrexham Mackem]

I thinks Old Warden does some great little family shows, you often see families sitting on the grass having a picnic etc

It was my choice for my daughters' first show, they looked right at home, as if airshows were in their DNA



I agree with Brevet. To me, 'family friendly' means not wall-to-wall noise, which young children, or even my missus, can't stand. In smaller doses, fine.

I don't buy this 'filler' or lesser quality thing at all. Unless you're a hardcore modern mil enthusiast (as many of us are), then an endless presentation of similar looking fast jets is one dimensional and becomes boring. My wife would tell you that. An airshow is exactly that - a show - its entertainment, and variety is good for entertainment's sake. Even the golden era IAT's of the 80's an 90's had parachutists, wing walkers, warbirds and aerobatic acts. You have to showcase all forms of aviation, because many of us are interested in anything that flies, and different people are inspired by different things.

The specialist shows are great, Old Warden, Legends, RIAT even.. but there's something fun about the 'bit of this, bit of that' flying display, with its contrasts in size, shape, colour and noise.

Me, I love 'em all. If its an aircraft, I look up. I enjoy Legends, RIAT and Southport. Ambidextrous eh

[alisdairanderson]

I thinks Old Warden does some great little family shows, you often see families sitting on the grass having a picnic etc

+1 We often go, with friends.... lovely afternoon in the summer.... there is a good playground, the Swiss Gardens are open, etc.... alongside some excellent flying! Totally recommend!

Thx
Alisdair

[phreakf4]

Wrexham Mackem, agree 100%. Also worth noting that, having attended air shows with family members/friends who are definitely not aviation enthusiasts I can say that, to non-enthusiasts, displays such as the BBMF, Wing Walkers etc. which are so readily written off as "filler" by hardcore enthusiasts are "show stoppers". As example I once attended the "Great Yorkshire Air Show" at Elvington with my brother and his wife. She had never been to an air show before even though they live only a couple of miles from Finningley (Now Doncaster/Sheffield Airport). To me, some of the highlights were the high speed taxi by the Victor and a display by a C160 Transall. She, however, was absolutely blown away by the wing walkers and for some time afterward told everyone she knew how marvellous they were...

[psquiddy]

'Family friendly' -- something that's not full of extremely loud modern fighters

That depends on your family - mine like it loud

Taking teenage boys into rock music to Fairford departures - the louder the better.

[TYPHOON3]

Depends on the age of the family.A family with very young children would maybe prefer a more sedate show like Cosford,whereas a family with teenagers would maybe prefer a show like RIAT with a lot more noise?

[sithrity]

It was my choice for my daughters' first show, they looked right at home, as if airshows were in their DNA

That's brilliant!