Yeovilton 2024

[106500]

I wonder how long it’ll be before we get the usual press releases or similar? Are we to hear the same old ‘excuses’ trotted out? E.g. “we can’t find anyone to organise the event, but we hope to next year”, “the economic climate precludes an air day this year, perhaps next” or “defence resource commitment priorities preclude an event this year”, etc. Or perhaps I’m just an old cynic….

[Mike]

Pointless thread. Already done to death in the 2023 thread.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/whats-on ... ir-8307184

[106500]

Pointless thread. Already done to death in the 2023 thread.

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/whats-on ... ir-8307184

I don’t see anything pointless about trying to maintain visibility of the ever declining number of airshows in this country. This link is to a press article from April last year (and there is much scepticism about ‘live’ sources such as this one e.g. a similar site, Cornwall Live where I live is much ridiculed here for its lack of accuracy). Much can change in the intervening period and I think there is a real risk Yeovilton will go the same way as Culdrose (oddly still in the title of this ‘group’ when it disappeared in 2016).

[MiG_Eater]

Totally agree 106500. The odd thing is that there is clearly a huge market for airshows - they almost always sell out, even with pretty meagre line-ups. It makes you wonder why the military don't make the effort.

[Stagger2]

Totally agree 106500. The odd thing is that there is clearly a huge market for airshows - they almost always sell out, even with pretty meagre line-ups. It makes you wonder why the military don't make the effort.

It's a sad fact that the financial risk for actual expenses incurred, MOD Approvals, Display Licenses, Insurances, Traffic Management, Security Organisation, etc just cannot be borne by individual airbases any longer.
Add to that the fact that the 'Military' get paid 24/7 all year long whether they do what they have to, OR indeed nothing! That's got to be the perfect incentive for the latter?
That leaves 'Private Enterprise' Events Companies to take a view as to if any Event they undertake will in fact likely make a profit? In the current financial squeeze I see a surprisingly large percentage of family audiences, but with yet another interest hike this week, who can blame Organisers for their reluctance to invest.
On another subject related to the 'Airshow Appetite Investment Barometer' (AAIB ) I look forward to some indication of the balance sheet for 'Flying Legends 2023' with added operating costs away from home-base, allied to poor weather, lateish confirmation of going-ahead and traditional clash with RIAT, geographic remoteness for the Southern-UK masses & a 'Star-lacking' line-up confirmed late in the day. If that turned a Buck, I'm sure Yeovilton can rise from the ashes again if a Corporate Proposal offer materialises ? Don't hold your breath!

[bishbashbosh]

A show that is very sorely missed - at least by me anyway. I wonder if they could be pursuaded to bring the Junglie demo to Fairford one year.

I remember one year there were Junglies aplenty - old and new - some with underslung loads, plus Wildcats, an Apache or two, some Hawks flying overhead, flares, explosions, fast rope... was wonderful. Something I would very much like my litte lad to be able to enjoy.

[106500]

Totally agree 106500. The odd thing is that there is clearly a huge market for airshows - they almost always sell out, even with pretty meagre line-ups. It makes you wonder why the military don't make the effort.

It's a sad fact that the financial risk for actual expenses incurred, MOD Approvals, Display Licenses, Insurances, Traffic Management, Security Organisation, etc just cannot be borne by individual airbases any longer.
Add to that the fact that the 'Military' get paid 24/7 all year long whether they do what they have to, OR indeed nothing! That's got to be the perfect incentive for the latter?
That leaves 'Private Enterprise' Events Companies to take a view as to if any Event they undertake will in fact likely make a profit? In the current financial squeeze I see a surprisingly large percentage of family audiences, but with yet another interest hike this week, who can blame Organisers for their reluctance to invest.
On another subject related to the 'Airshow Appetite Investment Barometer' (AAIB ) I look forward to some indication of the balance sheet for 'Flying Legends 2023' with added operating costs away from home-base, allied to poor weather, lateish confirmation of going-ahead and traditional clash with RIAT, geographic remoteness for the Southern-UK masses & a 'Star-lacking' line-up confirmed late in the day. If that turned a Buck, I'm sure Yeovilton can rise from the ashes again if a Corporate Proposal offer materialises ? Don't hold your breath!

I understand the logic and accuracy of your position on this. However, a counter view might be that airshows have traditionally been not only a family attraction, for Joe Public to view where their hard earned money goes but also a real opportunity to entice youngsters into considering a career in the RAF or Navy. With this in mind surely a proactive and enlightened government should invest taxpayers money in such events accordingly? Sadly we now have governments which eye up everything commercially and balancing the books is paramount. Why not run a few airshows here and there with the excess costs met by the MOD? This would be a drop in the ocean compared to say the costs of running the Red Arrows or a F35! The alternative is that, borne by evidence we will inevitably lose these events completely.

[Bodz156]

Exactly re. the above - I wonder how many current Typhoon/F-35/Red Arrows etc pilots were inspired to join the RAF/Navy by seeing a Reds display, Tornado demo etc etc in the 'flesh', rather than by seeing an advert on TV during Coronation Street....

[Stagger2]

I would counter-argue that if indeed the UK.Government was in anyway inclined to believe that investing money from an ever decreasing MOD Budget into a funded airshow mainly/solely for the purposes of recruitment was a worthy cause, it would've already happened?
The majority of US. Military Airshows are free to enter & constant reference is made to 'the opportunity to see the Men, Women & Aircraft of YOUR Air Force/ Navy in action'. This freebie approach based on the fact you already donated at work (Tax) is also quite common throughout Europe & Asia. How good is that? Reality check, it will never happen here!

[Wissam24]

I think yours is a completely valid point, and it is noticeable, however, as a counter-counter point: the US military has, to all intents and purposes, essentially unlimited money so is a bad comparison to draw and the European and Asian countries will typically host, in many cases, a single airshow each once a year, if not biennially, if not even less than that, so it's much easier to draw a budget down for it.

However, I don't disagree, and the reasoning behind charging which is often given, that it is for some charity or other, has always felt like a bit of a cop out to me (and I'm sure I'll get some flak for that).

[Ken Shabby]

I would counter-argue that if indeed the UK.Government was in anyway inclined to believe that investing money from an ever decreasing MOD Budget into a funded airshow mainly/solely for the purposes of recruitment was a worthy cause, it would've already happened?

I genuinely wouldn’t bet on that.

[farnboroughrob]

I think alot of the trouble with VL coming back, and UK shows in general is we make them too complicated. By all means have the airfeild assault, the role demos, the reds, typhoon etc but not a massive amount more. Make it about what the navy does and navy wings too. We don't need tonnes of stalls, fun fair, classic cars and the like. Static aircraft, recruiting, hangar displays and a 3-4 hour flying display, simples.

[DOUGHNUT]

I think alot of the trouble with VL coming back, and UK shows in general is we make them too complicated. By all means have the airfeild assault, the role demos, the reds, typhoon etc but not a massive amount more. Make it about what the navy does and navy wings too. We don't need tonnes of stalls, fun fair, classic cars and the like. Static aircraft, recruiting, hangar displays and a 3-4 hour flying display, simples.

Agree with your comments. But without the car show, fun fair, ect the Joe Public will get bored and will not pay £30 to attend. The alternative as you suggest will appeal to the enthusiast but we will be expected to pay £50++. Years ago events used to be call "photo calls" and most bases hosted with access to the hangars and a flightline of base aircraft and a few interesting visitors. These had to stop due their increasing popularity with 100's attending and the dreaded need for health and safety, accessible car parking, etc and a long list of do's and dont's. I can only think of RAF Northolt which hosts anything of this sort now ?

[Gt5500]

Agree with your comments. But without the car show, fun fair, ect the Joe Public will get bored and will not pay £30 to attend.

I think you'd be surprised how much the general public happily pay for a day out, almost all the local visitor attractions round my way are around £30 for an adult, and normally very busy. Seems to me it's usually enthusiasts complaining about the prices...

And whilst you may get some complaints about lack of ground attractions I think the majority would be happy as long as they got to see an airshow, and for many as long as the reds, bbmf and typhoon are there they'd be happy. I've done the Headcorn BOB show a couple of times, both times it was packed with families, there's little on the ground to do and most of the flying was WW2 warbirds.

[Mike]

And whilst you may get some complaints about lack of ground attractions I think the majority would be happy as long as they got to see an airshow, and for many as long as the reds, bbmf and typhoon are there they'd be happy. I've done the Headcorn BOB show a couple of times, both times it was packed with families, there's little on the ground to do and most of the flying was WW2 warbirds.

Those with young children want, nay, need something to distract and entertain them

[Gt5500]

Yes, that's what the aeroplanes are for

[GeeRam]

Totally agree 106500. The odd thing is that there is clearly a huge market for airshows - they almost always sell out, even with pretty meagre line-ups. It makes you wonder why the military don't make the effort.

It's a sad fact that the financial risk for actual expenses incurred, MOD Approvals, Display Licenses, Insurances, Traffic Management, Security Organisation, etc just cannot be borne by individual airbases any longer.
Add to that the fact that the 'Military' get paid 24/7 all year long whether they do what they have to, OR indeed nothing! That's got to be the perfect incentive for the latter?
That leaves 'Private Enterprise' Events Companies to take a view as to if any Event they undertake will in fact likely make a profit? In the current financial squeeze I see a surprisingly large percentage of family audiences, but with yet another interest hike this week, who can blame Organisers for their reluctance to invest.
On another subject related to the 'Airshow Appetite Investment Barometer' (AAIB ) I look forward to some indication of the balance sheet for 'Flying Legends 2023' with added operating costs away from home-base, allied to poor weather, lateish confirmation of going-ahead and traditional clash with RIAT, geographic remoteness for the Southern-UK masses & a 'Star-lacking' line-up confirmed late in the day. If that turned a Buck, I'm sure Yeovilton can rise from the ashes again if a Corporate Proposal offer materialises ? Don't hold your breath!

I understand the logic and accuracy of your position on this. However, a counter view might be that airshows have traditionally been not only a family attraction, for Joe Public to view where their hard earned money goes but also a real opportunity to entice youngsters into considering a career in the RAF or Navy.

That's counter view that simply doesn't exist within the people that hold the purse strings in MOD budgets, as largely they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
People need to just accept that the chance of Yeovilton Airshow returning in the future is pretty much a big fat zero. Likely the same for Waddington as well.

[106500]

Totally agree 106500. The odd thing is that there is clearly a huge market for airshows - they almost always sell out, even with pretty meagre line-ups. It makes you wonder why the military don't make the effort.

It's a sad fact that the financial risk for actual expenses incurred, MOD Approvals, Display Licenses, Insurances, Traffic Management, Security Organisation, etc just cannot be borne by individual airbases any longer.
Add to that the fact that the 'Military' get paid 24/7 all year long whether they do what they have to, OR indeed nothing! That's got to be the perfect incentive for the latter?
That leaves 'Private Enterprise' Events Companies to take a view as to if any Event they undertake will in fact likely make a profit? In the current financial squeeze I see a surprisingly large percentage of family audiences, but with yet another interest hike this week, who can blame Organisers for their reluctance to invest.
On another subject related to the 'Airshow Appetite Investment Barometer' (AAIB ) I look forward to some indication of the balance sheet for 'Flying Legends 2023' with added operating costs away from home-base, allied to poor weather, lateish confirmation of going-ahead and traditional clash with RIAT, geographic remoteness for the Southern-UK masses & a 'Star-lacking' line-up confirmed late in the day. If that turned a Buck, I'm sure Yeovilton can rise from the ashes again if a Corporate Proposal offer materialises ? Don't hold your breath!

I understand the logic and accuracy of your position on this. However, a counter view might be that airshows have traditionally been not only a family attraction, for Joe Public to view where their hard earned money goes but also a real opportunity to entice youngsters into considering a career in the RAF or Navy.

That's counter view that simply doesn't exist within the people that hold the purse strings in MOD budgets, as largely they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
People need to just accept that the chance of Yeovilton Airshow returning in the future is pretty much a big fat zero. Likely the same for Waddington as well.

Possibly although it's quite hard to say what the current/future mindset of the MOD actually is. There is a school of thought that the risks associated with safety post Shoreham has had a big influence on the number and scale of airshows, although of course this has an association with cost escalation though insurance, etc. I agree that Waddington is dead and buried, largely I believe for security reasons but I do believe Yeovilton will be resurrected at some stage - I understand this might be in 2028 once upgrading works are completed.

[Stagger2]

Sorry for the delay in responding to this. I've been away witnessing the annual Unicorn migration to Albania, given there's hardly any people there now!
I wonder what odds the Bookies gave on that happening in 2023?
I've made a note of your projected 2028 return of VLAD & put it in my all-electric Space-scooter Sat-nav already!