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Post by PB on Jun 25, 2015 18:14:38 GMT
Hi..
Please note changes to the September Fly-in date.
The Fly-in will now be on September 20th only.
Following discussions at Blackbushe today decisions have been called for as to the scale of the forthcoming September event. Logistically the Fly-in 'machine' had grown from the original plan for a simple one-day fly-in, to a two day leap into a higher order of things.
It has been deemed necessary to match our logistical possibilities hence the decision to return to the original one-day event.
The decision was not taken lightly, "tactical considerations" had to be applied that I won't go into now, but the event has to reflect the realistic use of available resources.
Having said that, we can now concentrate on making it an event of excellence, and if it proves the success we hope for will be a proving ground and learning curve toward the serious event in 2017 when we celebrate the Airport's 75th Anniversary. Further, a good and successful day this year may well pave the way toward a similar event next year. So, stick with us, your help and support are needed as much as ever. Just less work for some!!
I do hope that our Forum members will appreciate there are very good reasons for this change....
More detail as to September 20th will follow.
Thank you for the support received to date from the Forum members, and in particular our volunteers.
PB
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Post by rj on Jun 25, 2015 19:09:33 GMT
Sounds perfectly sensible to me will be a good dry run Does this also mean it will be simply a fly-in with no display element? That day is also a Popham fly-in so some people may choose to do both. Hopefully by the 75th the airport will be on more settled ground and the possibility of using the north side may be negotiable?
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Post by sallyb17 on Jul 11, 2015 16:07:55 GMT
I would love to help, but I need to be sitting
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Post by PB on Jul 11, 2015 16:27:25 GMT
Sallyb17
Hi!! Two points. First, welcome to the Blackbushe Forum, really good to have you on 'the crew'. Second, I'm certain we'll have a job for you, we just have to create the event before then!! Stay tuned...
Your offer is very much appreciated and I'll put you on 'the list'.
Best wishes PB
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Post by rj on Jul 13, 2015 14:42:16 GMT
Back from a busy weekend, so though I would 'talk out loud' with reference to next years planned events. Obviously we have seen that the airport are uncomfortable with large numbers turning up, by road, or air, within the current confines. That brings in the north side and that is a whole new can of worms. Lets just assume that barrier was crossed, what type of show could realistically be offered? Foe me the event that would be most similar are the new shows at Abbingdon. Profits to charity(Air Ambulance IIRC and others), lots of community involvement and a 3, or so, hour flying display. I guess they main problem in providing such a spectacle is one of Cash? Until one of us winds the lottery stuff like insurance, toilets, flying acts, fencing etc will suck cash. But there is light at the end of the tunnel in the model show that is held each year, they must overcome similar problems? Being realistic what sort of show could be provided? Well it depends on the dates, get it right and we could see the BBMF and maybe Red Arrows, at least for flypasts. Other than that some aerobatics, a couple of warbirds, and maybe a classic jet or two would fill a couple of hours. The Chinook display from Odiham would be awesome too. If not they have a good record of supporting local events in the static or with flypasts. On the ground the local clubs should be heavily involved trying to get people in the air with stands and aircraft on display. Some nice vintage aircraft in a static line up would be good. Military aircraft are more difficult to get but maybe something from Middle Wallop or Benson could be tempted along. Of course it would be rude not to invite the US navy even if it is a long way from Italy in a C-26 Metro, its possible. As is the Dutch with their 322sqn being a former resident, now with F-16's! Although a PC-7 or Puma might be more realistic. Of course you don't know weather it is possible until we try. Lets hope Peter can at least get the backing from the airport to try? Rob
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Jeff
Full Member
Posts: 152
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Post by Jeff on Jul 13, 2015 20:20:45 GMT
Well... put the crowd on the north side and effectively theres no airshow! Unless of course you shut South side to the general public !! Which isnt going to go down well with the businesses on that side that may look to the airshow as good publicity and in the cafes case a nice little earner !!!
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Post by PB on Jul 13, 2015 22:15:14 GMT
Good evening Rob and Jeff...
Very many thanks for your "talk out loud".
You certainly covered a fair degree of ground, and a great deal of what you say has already circled the discussion table as the 'team' debate exactly what is or is not possible in the future. Blackbushe entertains unique constraints, constraints that we must handle with considerable care. The overruling focus must be on the Airport's future and preservation of this potential packed site. For any future flying 'event' we need to balance consideration of common issues and the CAA's CAP403, and that's just the beginning.
Whatever we put on in the future, you may be assured that I will do all possible to maximise our results, but it must be remembered that Blackbushe does not provide an 'open house' for a mega show. 2017 lurks in the distance as the Airport's 75th Anniversary, a date that is now accepted as one we must celebrate by all on the events 'team'.. However, 2016 comes first and discussions have already begun on how to maximise use of the Airport's infrastructure - as far as circumstances permit.
The weekend just gone demonstrated the popularity of Blackbushe and how it draws people when even a limited amount of demonstration flying is anticipated!! The full car park being evidence. Our job is to find the resources that will provide an adequate basis for a manageable event. All I can say is that all options are being looked at..be they to the north or the south.
From the flying hardware perspective the picture is something of a sketch waiting to be coloured in. Your suggestions re the RNAF and the USN are valid, you'll recall the US Navy joined us for the 50th and the Netherlands Government offered an F-16...The US Navy we accepted, the Dutch offer we could not. Local sensitivities and concern for the runway's length came into play. I shall never forget opening my letter from the Netherlands and seeing "F-16" amid the words that provided the most amazing offer. However, please do not expect such things in 2016, an 'air show' as you are hinting at is just not on the cards. On the other hand I do not want to have next year go by without something a bit different, my thinking cap is firmly in place and I will go for whatever is viable, permissible, possible, and affordable.
I'm not trying to give a you a view obscured by smoke and distorted by mirrors, but as soon as we've pinned down a tactically suitable date for an event of some kind you'll read about it here...meanwhile, I'm going to lie back and recall the heart stirring moments of last Saturday when RJ's wonderful creation came back to Blackbushe and left our souls in rapture as the Merlin's music reached deep into our hearts.
PB
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Post by adrian01 on Jul 14, 2015 5:56:59 GMT
Morning Pete,
I read with interest your comments above, and also RJ's on a previous thread, the problem is NAF Mildenhall is Scheduled to close in 2016, and as you rightly say it would be very appropriate if one of the C-12'S could attend, if as my understanding is correct the NAF at Mildenhall re- locate to Spain, will this still be viable?, so far as I know RJ they are not due to re - equip with the C-27's so we are talking about a C-12 making a trip from Spain to Blackbushe, OK in the commercial sphere of things this is not unheard of, but given the distance will the new Navy Commander play ball ?
Just a thought to throw out there....
Cheers
Adrian
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Post by adrian01 on Jul 14, 2015 6:11:21 GMT
As an aside, whilst working for BCA at Blackbushe "Convoy 43" turned up one morning to collect technical documents relating to one of it's sisterships ( I do not know which one ) and stayed about 20 minutes :- 2001-06-19 Blackbushe Bu163843 by Adrian Share, on Flickr Cheers Adrian
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Post by PB on Jul 14, 2015 7:45:30 GMT
Thanks Adrian, love the photo. Anything landing at Blackbushe with the words "United States Navy" on its fuselage has an almost surreal effect. Like a friendly ghost of some bygone age, those words conjure images of rather different types of aeroplanes, and a very large hangar. Gone, but not forgotten.
PB
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