It took me fairly two seconds to put my cap down, maybe yours were too heavy?
Comparing Airpower with RIAT, seriously?
RIAT is the worst nightmare when it comes to handling of an entrance queue, and I know what I'm talking about. Airpower saw more than 300.000 visitors on both show days, RIAT in 2016 I read something of 160.000? I have never experienced a minute where I was stopped @Airpower, except the seconds at this guy checking my bag and cap. During RIAT I was walking nearly an hour only to get to the guy not asking for my cap...
Conclusion: I prefer to be asked for my cap, and be on the place in a trickle of time I would need @RIAT.