Just a quick reply from me, as I do keep an eye on all the posts across Europe
In november 2010 the plans were build in Ankara at the TuAF headquaters for the very first spotterdays in their country. As a foreign member of the Centennial Team ( overlooking all celebrations regarding the 100th anniversary of the Airforce ) , I have provided my input and advise for the last 6 months in order to set-up a really impressive event. Based on the original plans, and my suggestions ( and I know very well what spotters expect/want/hope for ) it would have been without any question the best spotterdays in the world for 2011.
And so I communicated this info to all of you across Europe.....if I would not have started posts on the various forums, nobody would have even known their was a spottersevent!!
Unfortunately along the way of preparation it has become clear to me that ( as I mentioned it many times before ) , the organisation of a largescale event is done far different from the 'european' way....at the end of the day mountains of work done by the Centennial Team still can be decided differently by a higher command, and it did several times. Yes it is dissapointing, and yes it is frustrating ( believe me, I was not happy - soft expression here - to learn that even the external communication agency contracted for the events had voted and strongly advised against a spottersday, months after all the work was done!! ) , but at least I did my best to convince everyone that their had to be a spottersday no matter what ( knowing that so many of you have already booked flights and accomodation )
So yes, there are still spotterdays in Turkey, it is unique for their country, and most of all they will be free!
But if you decide to go, keep an open mind please and don't compare it to the wellknown spotterevents over here. I pushed to have the acces free, because so many of you have raised hopes and expectations that might not be met....
So what to expect......? well, even at this stage I don't even know myself...
Registrations; I have strongly suggested to accept everybody present at the gates, no matter what, because the registration procedure on the website is far from ideal.
Spotting inside airbase: positions I was shown are ok, but not superb ( I still try to arrange positions closer to the active runway and flightline )
Spotting outside base : I advised to allow spotting outside base ( and I was told that police will allow spotting in ther airshowweek ) , because I regard some spots at the southside better as inside ( especially for approach pictures )
What to see? Oh well....I'm only the messenger - again - so be happy to see anything flying at all. If there is an 'inventory flypast' in the airshow ( still undecided a few weeks ago ), then you will see the full rehursal on fridayafternoon ( and spotters would be allowed to stand at the opposite side of the runway, sun in your back - if not go outside! ) and it - would - include certainly some interesting stuff and formations. If there is no 'inventory flypast' , then there is no TuAF flying apart from the Solo Turk & Turkish Stars ....
For the non TuAF aircraft I can only hope/wish/advise there will be at least a few of the more interesting participants flying on friday...
It's just wait & see, and the reason why it took so long to give you any realiable information or updates ( or news on packages ) is that there simply were NO updates...Still now it's gonna be a big surprise what it will be in reality. Based on my experience of 1,5 years I can only say again not to raise your hopes too high, keep an open mind and at least you'll have some kind of a holiday as well
greetz, Eric
