Hi Ray,
To answer your question, yes indeed, these events are spectator friendly. At the Regional event down at Omaka, the South Island Akro Fest, we are able to take advantage of a fantastic public area, keep the sun on the judges backs, provide an upclose area to view the competing aircraft, ensure that pilots have an emergency landing area guaranteed in the event of a mechanical failure (the airfield itself), with the enthusiast support of the Marlborough Aeroclub and Aviation Heritage Centre.
Competition aerobatics, as a rule, is not an event like an airshow, it shares many similar logistical challenges in terms of regulation/organisation and infrastructure but the flying itself is a lot more structured than airshow aerobatics in that the pilots are flying set programs, in front of a panel of judges. The NZ Aerobatic Club uses the European rules (CIVA) to the letter which ensures competing pilots are judged to the highest standard possible.
There are no restrictions on aircraft type or pilot skill level, rather, the seperate categories themselves are designed to essentially even out the competition by applying a set differculty factor. Even for the free-style sequences which each pilot designs, there are set rules on the content and differculty factor of these figures which does go a long way to evening out the competition, effectively putting it down to individual pilots, their preparation and understanding of their own aircraft, it's advantages and limitations.
The 3rd sequence flown, for the sportsman and higher classes, is an unknown which is a sequence given to the pilots 12 hours prior to flight, they can look at it but cannot fly once having received this sequence, until the competition flight itself, this is what seperates the competitors at the more advanced levels.
Many pilots who enjoy aerobatics, are put off by the competition scene. The general feel from my perspective is that they don't want to embarass themselves, or are intimidated by some of our more experienced pilots with flash high-performance aircraft. In reality, in my experience, the Aerobatic scene, here in NZ is the opposite. Everyone is so incredibly welcoming of newcomers. In reality, competition aerobatics, is much like figure skating or gymnastics, you are essentially competing against yourself.
I have finished dead last previously, and been wrapped with my scores. Likewise, I have won classes and been very unhappy with my scoring. This type of flying, is simply an extension of the learning process, that all of us pilots are going through from the first solo, until several decades later. I know a lot of pilots who have had incredible careers, airforce, airlines, private jet, warbird, and not one sits back and ignores a point being made by someone less experienced. I once got asked by someone with 25,000+ hours about the finer points of stall turning his own aerobatic aeroplane. It baffled me. In reality, this sport will assist and hone skills that one has been developing over a long period of time. Not only that, as I said before, it is a good buzz and a lot of fun from a social aspect.
From a spectators perspective, to highlight my point above, the Akro-Fest works out really well from a spectators perspective. You can visit the AHC, grab a coffee, and come sit out in the sun and watch some really accurate flying over the aerodrome, from Russian heavy metal to aeroclub trainers where you get to see some of the most talented young pilots of the future some with barely a PPL, from the Giles to the Pitts and everything in between. I will post updates on this thread later in the year. As this is not an airshow, there isn't an entry fee. The junior categories come down to 1500ft AGL, while the senior pilots have lower limits down to 400ft.
We also run a seperate competition on the Saturday afternoon, called the 4minute Free Style where pilots fly their own personal routines, and are judged by the rest of the competitors themselves, this is closer to an airshow routine. Just a bit of fun, the competitors often use smoke oil for this segment.
Each evening we are treated to fantastic hospitality by the Marlborough Aeroclub and EVERYONE is welcome. I have attached a few photos from last year's competition to give you an idea.
note: I have re-posted this 10 times, struggling with url links, finally got there. These photos are from last years event, the air to air shots from Gavin Conroy were from the inaugural event in 2015, celebrating 70 years of the Pitts Special. Pilots: Ryan Southam, Richard Hood and myself with Gavin Conroy the photographer, camera-pilot, Mark O'Sullivan.
A shot of the medals up for grabs in Nov 2018, along with the advertisement for this year's event.
