Confirmed Attendees

[Trevster]

Expect standing ovations and some emotion from some as they touch down both times

[dconnery1966]

According to fightercontrol forum the c-295 Czech support
And the pdef c-160 support they will be staying for the airshow
As static participants cheers for the info gazza

All the best Dougie

[Unknown74]

Still needing just a few more Jets though.

[Light Blue Spy]

I know many just like to rant and moan about “the good or days” or blame organisers for not trying hard enough, etc. For the rest, I offer the following thoughts.
Much is being said about the lack of aircraft, especially overseas aircraft, at Leuchars this year.

Getting overseas aircraft is like me trying to reduce my golf handicap. . . I can research, I can get advice. I can shout and complain because it isn’t working out. I can try to beg, to steal, to borrow. I can offer bribes. I can even throw £tons of cash at it. None of this is likely to make a difference. I can try as hard as I like but it will probably make no difference.

It’s the same with overseas aircraft. Apart from the quasi-military teams, you cannot pay military aircraft to come to your show. They will decided whether they want to come based on a range of factors such as availability of airframes and crews, past experience at that venue, ability to go on a mini-tour around a number of venues, etc. Even if they do want to come, they might not be able to due to the same reasons above. Statements such as “if Duxford can get an F-15, why can’t Leuchars” show little understanding of how things work. You are selected, not the other way round. A national aerobatic team may not charge a display fee but the accommodation and ancillary costs really mount up. Sometimes you can take advantage of a situation and “steal” an aircraft that is appearing elsewhere but that is getting rarer and rarer.

As for civilian aircraft . . .yep, you can buy them. Display fees vary enormously but is only part of the overall cost. The fuel bill (which is additional to the display fee) for . . . say a Hunter coming up from the south . . . is likely to be x2 or x3 times the display fee. Then you need to add accommodation, which can typically be a crew of 8 for 3 nights – that’s another £Grand. The transport, messing, admin, hosting, etc. I think many would be surprised at how small a percentage of the overall cost of a show goes on display aircraft. It’s just a fact of life. Infrastructure, insurance, police, etc have to come first, otherwise you do not have a show.
Working in an Airshow Office for a week or two is a real eye-opening experience. I confess that for many years I was one of those that drifted in a week before the show, had a lot of fun, then drifted away again. Now that I have more organisational experience I have a deeper understanding of the challenges, and admiration for those that face them.

So, as I look out of my window at the pan that takes the display aircraft (Catalina already in attendance!), I am really looking forward to another show. I confess I am thinking back to the Hinds, MiGs, F3 Diamond-9s of recent years. I am also looking forward to this year’s show, especially RAFAT and PDeF – so fitting after the events of the last few weeks.

Whatever the future holds, here’s to a great show and the chance to see lots of good mates. After all, remember what Joni Mitchell said . . .

[dconnery1966]

Hi light blue sky agree with you wholeheartedly
There,i was hoping this year would go out with a bang
Instead of a wimper but just to have an airshow this year
I am very grateful,and to meet up with some familiar faces
Looking forward to it again this year heading up tomorrow afternoon,
Anyway what did Joni Mitchell say? Lbs
All the best dougie

[Light Blue Spy]

Joni Mitchell? "You don't know what you've got 'til its gone".

Have a great time!!

[dconnery1966]

Cheers lbs I will be well an truly gutted when it
Eventually goes oh the memories late 80s till just now,
Anyway lbs you have a good one mate
All the best Dougie

[scotflyer1]

does anyone know of the flying programme timings, for satuirday, will it be published prior to sat, ?

[Trevster]

I know many just like to rant and moan about “the good or days” or blame organisers for not trying hard enough, etc. For the rest, I offer the following thoughts.
Much is being said about the lack of aircraft, especially overseas aircraft, at Leuchars this year.

Getting overseas aircraft is like me trying to reduce my golf handicap. . . I can research, I can get advice. I can shout and complain because it isn’t working out. I can try to beg, to steal, to borrow. I can offer bribes. I can even throw £tons of cash at it. None of this is likely to make a difference. I can try as hard as I like but it will probably make no difference.

It’s the same with overseas aircraft. Apart from the quasi-military teams, you cannot pay military aircraft to come to your show. They will decided whether they want to come based on a range of factors such as availability of airframes and crews, past experience at that venue, ability to go on a mini-tour around a number of venues, etc. Even if they do want to come, they might not be able to due to the same reasons above. Statements such as “if Duxford can get an F-15, why can’t Leuchars” show little understanding of how things work. You are selected, not the other way round. A national aerobatic team may not charge a display fee but the accommodation and ancillary costs really mount up. Sometimes you can take advantage of a situation and “steal” an aircraft that is appearing elsewhere but that is getting rarer and rarer.

As for civilian aircraft . . .yep, you can buy them. Display fees vary enormously but is only part of the overall cost. The fuel bill (which is additional to the display fee) for . . . say a Hunter coming up from the south . . . is likely to be x2 or x3 times the display fee. Then you need to add accommodation, which can typically be a crew of 8 for 3 nights – that’s another £Grand. The transport, messing, admin, hosting, etc. I think many would be surprised at how small a percentage of the overall cost of a show goes on display aircraft. It’s just a fact of life. Infrastructure, insurance, police, etc have to come first, otherwise you do not have a show.
Working in an Airshow Office for a week or two is a real eye-opening experience. I confess that for many years I was one of those that drifted in a week before the show, had a lot of fun, then drifted away again. Now that I have more organisational experience I have a deeper understanding of the challenges, and admiration for those that face them.

So, as I look out of my window at the pan that takes the display aircraft (Catalina already in attendance!), I am really looking forward to another show. I confess I am thinking back to the Hinds, MiGs, F3 Diamond-9s of recent years. I am also looking forward to this year’s show, especially RAFAT and PDeF – so fitting after the events of the last few weeks.

Whatever the future holds, here’s to a great show and the chance to see lots of good mates. After all, remember what Joni Mitchell said . . .

Thanks for just a little more insight into the goings on LBS.

Are you on commentary again this year?

[stratocaster]

Was going to ask you the same question Andy! But Trevster beat me to it!

[Light Blue Spy]

I do have that honour. Can't wait!

[Trevster]

Fab news

[scotflyer1]

what are the chances of some last minute additions for saturday guys?

[f4phixeruk]

Have seen the flying programme for Saturday. Model aircraft are the first item on the agenda

[agdickie]

Have seen the flying programme for Saturday. Model aircraft are the first item on the agenda

Say what?!? I sense a Downfall edit coming on...

[Trevster]

Have seen the flying programme for Saturday. Model aircraft are the first item on the agenda

Sure I'd mentioned that somewhere as a friend is part of the club doing that. There was similar at the Southport show in July and some if the models and flying were fantastic...

[f4phixeruk]

Got to say I couldnt believe it when I saw it.

PdeFrance have a practice display at 1600 Friday

[Stonefaction]

Any other practices after the PdF? Their Friday practice bores me to tears, and as I have to be back in Dundee for about 6pm, I might leave at 4pm, if there's nothing much else happening after that.
Have seen the models jetting about the base at weekends, and remember one crashing and setting fire to the grass at a Families Day a few years back.

[Davef68]

LBS,

Can you comment on a 'fact' I was told some years ago - that 'support' aircraft will only go in the static if the visitors are prepared to have people standing with them?

After a little humming and hawing I bought the tickets and am looking forward to the show.

[EGL]

Having just been through the last few pages due to not being online much recently I still don't know how I feel about this years show.

Ticket finally bought a few weeks ago when the Vulcan confirmed (more of a prompt as would have gone regardless), but only two days away I'm not particularly excited about it. Both the static are fairly sparse with only or two star attractions. Not really interested in who's to blame and the reasons behind it, I'm sure those working behind the scenes have tried their hardest.

Hopefully this won't be the last as it would be a real shame for the show to go out with a whimper.

[Light Blue Spy]

LBS,

Can you comment on a 'fact' I was told some years ago - that 'support' aircraft will only go in the static if the visitors are prepared to have people standing with them?

After a little humming and hawing I bought the tickets and am looking forward to the show.

Not sure about that. In my experience, aviators love to show-off!!

[f4phixeruk]

LBS,

Can you comment on a 'fact' I was told some years ago - that 'support' aircraft will only go in the static if the visitors are prepared to have people standing with them?

After a little humming and hawing I bought the tickets and am looking forward to the show.

Not sure about that. In my experience, aviators love to show-off!!

But enough about you. I'm a Harrier/Jaguar/ Phantom pilot

[ArabJazzie]

Shows how bad things are when they are taking business away from Dundee to put stuff in the static!!!
Arabest,
Geoff.

[typhoondaz]

RAF Red Arrows Timings for 10th & 11th Sept.

11.20 - Reds Arrive Leuchars.

15.31 - Reds depart Leuchars.

15.33 - Reds DISPLAY Leuchars.

16.00 - Reds recover Leuchars.

Sunday 11th Sept.

09.15 - Reds depart Leuchars.

09.21 - Reds flypast East Fortune.

09.33 - Reds flypast Carlisle.

09.46 - Reds arrive Blackpool.

Darren.

It has come to my attention from a PM that i got from paludrinclub that the RAF Red Arrows did not leave at the time stated on their website i'm very sorry but i'm not affiliated nor do i claim to have any control on when or what time they say they are going to be somewhere!!!!! I just got the information on their PUBLIC website.

Darren.

[Trevster]

It has come to my attention from a PM that i got from paludrinclub that the RAF Red Arrows did not leave at the time stated on their website i'm very sorry but i'm not affiliated nor do i claim to have any control on when or what time they say they are going to be somewhere!!!!! I just got the information on their PUBLIC website.

Darren.

Poor show if someone's had a go at you for posting publicly available information...