Avalon 2009 Airshow

[straitman]

Lightweight :mrgreen:

I wish :!:

 

[Saab34]

If you have the gold pass, you can get into the airshow on the friday at 9am, instead of 2/3pm as it stands for normal public entry.

 

[Rick93]

A friend of mine bought me a general entry ticket.
I've used the current discount of 2,000 QFF points for Syd - MEL / return flights, and we are getting a rental car from TUL domestic to Avalon / return.

If anyone needs a lift from TUL at about 0730hrs. Saturday 14th. March 2009 ( arriving on QF401 ) to the Air Show, let me know. Two seats available. Departing Avalon about 1700hrs. for plenty of time in the QP before the flight home to Syd.

As a Life Member QC, I may get you into the QC on return to TUL, if that's requested.

regards,
GORDO

 

[_kab_]

Sorry to jump in here but has anyone had any experience with the Gold Pass? Am thinking of buying as surprise b'day present for OH who usually goes Gen Admin. Seems like the Friday program is pretty good but $160 good :shock:

 

[Gold Member]

I did the Goldpass thing about 5 years ago. For what you get it is so not worth it. The only real advantage is the grandstand seating which is out in the sun, and the car park is 1km from the runway instead of 2kms for GA.

 

[thewinchester]

Actually considering coming over from Perth for this event, considering I'm now financially flush and have the spare time in my calendar for it.

Is there many others out there also wanting to go who've not yet booked tickets? If we can find nine or more are wanting to go, I'll happily coordinate a group buy to get 10% off the tickets.

Reply here or by PM if interested.

 

[Starship]

Sorry to jump in here but has anyone had any experience with the Gold Pass? Am thinking of buying as surprise b'day present for OH who usually goes Gen Admin. Seems like the Friday program is pretty good but $160 good :shock:

The best part about Friday public entry [based on my experience from 2007] is the evening show / napalm - helicopter and other displays.

For those who have not been....
In terms of the JQ flights, the airborne F18's, sea kings and other aircraft are taken out of the terminal area and the patrons - all down the length of the runway tend to cheer the arrival of the aircraft and wave. [if my facts are straight, the head of the Melbourne tower is at Avalon tomorrow - Thursday, discussing the separations and other criteria]. The A320's then taxi through the crowd [being held back by temporary barriers] and past all the assorted metal preparing for the next displays.

A highlight from 2007 (as well as 05) was the Sunday low altitude flyby of the B52 direct from Guam.

Whilst the current heat wave may have subsided - leaving aside the airshow as a distraction, a day in the sun at Avalon is similar to a day in the sun on the outskirts of Dubbo, very hot and dry. Be prepared with your chairs [if on the grass], sun shelters, water etc. Don't forget the sunscreen - there were lots of very sore tomatoes being supported by St Johns Ambulance, and i presume many who only found out the next day.

I am looking to be there on [trade days] Wed and Thurs - but off to Global ATC conference in Amsterdam on the Sat.

 

[Rick93]

Late notice, I know.....

but there is another airshow on Sunday 22 Feb. at Albion Park ( about 25km. South of Wollongong.

Admission is free, but $5.00 to park your car ( proceeds to local charities ).

RAAF Roulettes; Army Blackhawks; aircraft from Temora Aviation Museum; various ground displays, including ADF, NSW Emergency Services etc. etc.

They are expecting upwards of 30,000 people ( if the weather stays good )

regards,
GORDO

 

[albatross710]

Late notice, I know.....

but there is another airshow on Sunday 22 Feb. at Albion Park ( about 25km. South of Wollongong.

Thanks for the heads-up Gordon. I'm heading that way today but I wont get to that area until about 5pm. Hopefully the aroma of warbird exhaust might still be lingering.

I found the event's website - Wings Over Illawarra

 

[nlagalle]

The World of Aviation by Mark Smith

a bit of a lead up to Avalon...

 

[Rick93]

Oh boy ! What a disaster ( for me anywway...)

Myself and friend flew down on the Saturday. All looked fine at the start of the day... but it rained, rained, and rained even heavier !!

For us, the day was a write off. We didn't bring raincoats... not even a jacket.

My friend is quite unfit, and needed regular rest breaks. Due to most of the population heading for the undercover paviliions, any seating was quickly snapped up continuously.

We decided to leave, and call it a day by about 1030hrs. Didn't see a single aircraft fly.

On another Forum ( Australian Air Force Cadets ), the cadets were reporting, that the rain slowed to a drizzle later in the day, and many aircraft did actually fly.

Anybody else go on Saturday morning? How did you survive ?

regards,
GORDO

 

[Saab34]

Saturday was a disaster until around 1pm, when the rain was on/off. I would say it was more of a mud-fest.

I feel sorry for the guys for paid $160 for the gold pass and didn't really get any fun out if it.

In the end, the VA 777 and A380 made my day.

 

[thewinchester]

Also there Saturday, and threw in the towel at 1:45 (mainly to get my pre-booked train back to Melbourne from Lara Station).

Wasn't impressed overall, first time at Avalon and flew over from PER specially for the event. Nice to see QF A380 and V Aus 777 up close, just a shame the rain stopped V doing tours of the 777.

Having worked on a number of major events on the scale of Avalon such as Rally Aus, it leaves a little to be desired from an attendee experience level.
Victorian weather is unpredictable at the best of times, so the sheer lack of shelter around the event was personally inexcusable. Seriously, shade sail like structures around the eateries and bars - who thought that was a good idea?

Also, they need to do some better grading of the pedestrian paths on the airfield - a bit more blue agate laid down if aerodrome design/safety rules permitted, and some better preparation for drainage would have gone a long way given Saturday's downpour. I wore a pair of Merril's knowing there'd be a lot of walking, so went for the sensible walking option. Now wished I brought the Hard Yakka boots over with me that day instead and the thick socks.

Just allowing people to walk down TWY C from the main apron where the A380 and V777 were parked so their shoes didn't get filled with water and mud from the path they have pre-designated would have been a godsend.

Did manage to get some shots off of the first few performers on the schedule after the weather cleared up, will have to post them to Flickr sometime and drop the link here.