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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jul 21, 2012 21:39:11 GMT 12
Well said THAT MAN (Dave) For me, I don't care if there is nothing "fresh" each year, I'll continue to go, continue to pay, continue to appreciate, and continue to enjoy! Just keep what we've got for as long as we can.
This forumis a great avenue for expressing our collective gratitude to owners/operators/organizers and indeed has been as is manifest by the multitude of photographs and comments. Long may that continue!
Roll on Omaka, new sights or not I'll be there
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Post by TS on Jul 22, 2012 10:45:06 GMT 12
Wow I couldnt agree more with you Dave as I would be there regardless...... rain, hail or snow if needs be. But what Gunny says is also true an airshow needs to draw on those people that will go for a " what the hell lets have a look see" As these are the people that need to go away with the feeling of WOW that was B&%$#Y FANTASTIC!!!!! We have to come back next time. See you their with my anorak ;D   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 22, 2012 11:57:44 GMT 12
Dave, you summed it up perfectly. IMHO you wrote one of the most significant comments ever posted on this forum. Thank you Peter, I am rather flattered by that. Absolutely correct. Most of New Zealand's most well known and significant airshow display pilots, warbird restorers, owners and collectors and also our airshow organisers DO read this forum, and they DO read your comments. I know because I know them or I meet them, and they tell me they read the forum. Sometimes I despair at some of the remarks made here on the forum from the less well informed members who think they know what they are talking about (like the nonsense above that a Mosquito will be at Omaka next year ) Part of this should be covered under the Forum Rules, "Rule 1 - If you won't say what you are posting to someone's face, or put it in a letter to them, don't post it here. We don't want gossip, libel or slander." Remember when you are typing your opinion about an aircraft owner, pilot, airshow organiser or anything else, they are likely to be reading it. This forum has very wide reaching readership. And if the person themselves does not immediately read the comment, someone else will let them know. Sometimes it ends up with me taking the flak for others' comments. Think before you post - have you got your facts straight, and will your post offend the people involved? I for one appreciate your contribution to our airshow and preservation scene Peter, keep up the great work. |
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Post by davelochead on Jul 23, 2012 15:26:33 GMT 12
Where do you want me to start on this thread?, with some points being well made, and some bordering on offensive to the organisers of Omaka.
Ill start with ground theatre, since some one on this board doesnt think it has a place at Omaka.
Classic Fighters isnt just for aircraft enthusiasts, if it was, we would be broke after the first show.
We realised early on that we needed to cast our net to the wider community, provide some entertainment, humour, pause for thought and a broader appeal than just aircraft. Ground theatre is part of that brief. For every person who voices a dislike for it there are 100 more who are amazed, amused, and entertained by it. In fact Omaka is the only place in the world where we get away with some of the things we do, and the only place were you will ever see anything like it. No one else would be silly enough to build a V-2...
When we annonced we were having jousting at one of our shows, we picked up approximately an extra 500 ticket sales, which should say something about widening the appeal of airshows.
As for aircraft, I should remind you that although the same aircraft appear at almost all airshows in this country, Omaka occasionally fools people by having aircraft given stage makeup for the show, Spitfire, P51, T6s Helio Couriers ans Bell Jet Ranbgers have all had this treatment, and I assure you that when you turn up to see "the Yanks coming" you are going to be in for a few pleasant surprises.
You talk about bringing in drawcard aircraft, we have done it before, its expensive, and for the general public, I.e. non aircraft people, it didnt make an ounce of difference. Hell the list of aircraft I would bring to Omaka if I could starts with a Canberra, extends to a 262, and encompasses all sorts of aircraft, not necessarily heavy metal, a GeeBee would be nice for instance.
At the end of the day, Classic fighters is run purely by volunteers, and I have been working on the show since 2000. It exists to boost revenue for the AHC, and if we thought we could run cabaret or some other form of entertainment to make money we would.
Omaka was once described as "the most original and innovative airshow in the world" I stand by that description, thats what we set out to do, and that is how we hope to continue.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 23, 2012 15:39:04 GMT 12
Well said Dave. I completely agree. And personaly itis my faviourite show simply because it does things so differently from the others (even if the others follow where Omaka leads).
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Post by dakdriver on Jul 23, 2012 15:56:27 GMT 12
Been to a few “Air shows” around the world over the years. Including quite few “big “ones too.
I am an old fart who’s been around aviation for a long time and I have never been entertained (which includes quite a few laughs) at any of these “other “shows. First time in my life I got to see real live Jousting and who would have thought that it was at an air show
THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST AIRSHOW IN THE WORLD
And yes I will be there too
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Post by vs on Jul 23, 2012 17:06:35 GMT 12
I have also been to many air shows in New Zealand. Generally I think the flying is often of a very high standard at NZ air shows.
There are now a lot of air shows in NZ. I went to Tauranga this year and really enjoyed it. I was thinking about going to Wanaka, but could not justify it as there was very little different to what I saw at Tauranga. Tauranga was only $20, I am not to sure what Wanaka costs...but I am sure it is a lot more....plus the cost of getting there.
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Post by aeromedia on Jul 23, 2012 17:20:59 GMT 12
davelochhead you guys set the bar astonishingly high and I'm just flabbergasted by comments here that suggest there's not enough effort or variety. Christ, . . what do they want . . . . the bloody Eiffel Tower  ?? . . . er . . hold on . . you DID THAT ! Keep up the amazing work mate, you guys do an incredible job. |
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Post by Brett on Aug 3, 2012 12:31:09 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Aug 3, 2012 14:35:01 GMT 12
Here is an interesting quote from the Classic Fighters web page: This hints that there might be some interesting post-war or civilian aircraft transiting through. So, they'll have to park the Connie down the road I assume? |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Aug 3, 2012 16:24:16 GMT 12
I look at it this way.
People come from the opposite side (and hemisphere) of the world to Warbirds over Wanaka and Classic Fighters.
I'm even seeing a few Aussies at TVAL airshows at Hood, who have popped across The Ditch for the weekend.
So that really says something about our airshows when people will travel half-way around the world to them, or across The Ditch for 2½-3 hours of flying displays in the case of TVAL at Hood.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 18:46:58 GMT 12
Quite true Bruce, but it's worth bearing in mind TVAL shows are just that: displays by TVAL with very little outside participation. Much like I believe the UK's Shuttleworth shows are run.
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Post by lumpy on Aug 25, 2012 22:57:24 GMT 12
Not sure how long its been there , but I notice online ticket sales for this show are now available ( including earlybird prices on 3 day gold passes ) , for those interested .
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Aug 25, 2012 23:58:47 GMT 12
Not sure how long its been there , but I notice online ticket sales for this show are now available ( including earlybird prices on 3 day gold passes ) , for those interested . Excellent. I've got some gold passes, but not enough for the party of people I'm going with (I have responsibility for acquiring the passes). I have been attempting to purchase more gold passes (I got the ones I already have at Warbirds Over Wanaka earlier this year), but the website has simply been saying that passes will eventually become available for sale. |
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Post by JDK on Sept 12, 2012 19:48:20 GMT 12
First time in my life I got to see real live Jousting and who would have thought that it was at an air show THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST AIRSHOW IN THE WORLD I wouldn't call it ' the best', but the Omaka shows I've been to have certainly been among the best I've seen in a quarter century of airshow going. And I've seen jousts in ~ I kid you not ~ the moat at the Tower of London, Warwick and Nottingham Castles and even Sherwood Forest, and the joust at Omaka was as good as those. I look at it this way. People come from the opposite side (and hemisphere) of the world to Warbirds over Wanaka and Classic Fighters. Exactly. We've come over from Australia twice to Omaka, and even with indifferent weather it's a class act. More importantly, Mrs JDK is happy to come along to the show and really enjoys it; something many other shows can't achieve. In many ways it has some of the atmosphere of Old Warden, no mean praise. TVAL's on the list. Regards, |
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Post by scrooge on Sept 12, 2012 20:42:24 GMT 12
And that is probably one of the most important points: "Mrs JDK is happy to come along to the show and really enjoys it".
Without that wider appeal, all shows will die. Well done to those who make it all happen.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 27, 2012 10:33:28 GMT 12
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Post by lumpy on Nov 27, 2012 11:33:55 GMT 12
Check out the fantastic montage just added as the cover photo to the Classic Fighters' Facebook page Its pretty good ! Also note , only a few more days left for the " early bird " price on Gold passes ( although I'm sure most folks here will have theirs already )  |
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Post by skyhawkdon on Nov 29, 2012 20:44:29 GMT 12
After much grovelling to the Mrs I have just ordered my 3-day Gold Pass. I haven't done a Gold Pass at Omaka before and only once at Wanaka (many moons ago). Should be fantastic! With Easter being almost a month earlier this time around compared to 2011, the weather should be a whole lot nicer too! |
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Post by obiwan27 on Nov 29, 2012 21:08:26 GMT 12
Speaking from experience Don, it'll be a very worthwhile investment. Enjoy!
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?? . . . er . . hold on . . you DID THAT !
