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Post by thebrads on Apr 20, 2014 8:22:20 GMT 12
The Jet racing consisted of the 6 jets (2x Vampire, 3x L-29 and 1x L39) starting line abreast of the P-40 (John Lamont), diving in to the course, then left hand circuits. The course goes from crowd centre, out over and across the river and back around. Is supposedly 15km around for 5 laps, so 75km course. Start/finish is crowd centre. Average Speeds around 560kmh around the course. Is pretty tight and good to watch. Much hype along the lines of "The Vampires are faster in a straight line, the L29's are more maneouverable so it's anyones game etc etc"
Sorry i haven't got any pics so far, hopefully someone else does.
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Post by nzjet on Apr 20, 2014 10:53:21 GMT 12
very very average. I wont be attending again.
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Post by ErrolC on Apr 20, 2014 11:12:28 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2014 11:16:04 GMT 12
The weather does look superb this morning in the photos I have seen on Facebook
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Post by Brett on Apr 20, 2014 15:45:14 GMT 12
Just a post to bump this thread ahead of the 'Airshow Crashes' thread. It's a bit disconcerting to see that at the top during WOW.
Gavin Conroy has some excellent pictures on his Facepalm page.
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Post by chinapilot on Apr 20, 2014 16:33:16 GMT 12
Thanks for putting the video links up Dave...
Did you notice the other one that pops about about the trading laws.... Only place to get a beer in Wanaka is at the show...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2014 18:02:42 GMT 12
I've spent the day working on models - such as the Trojan and OFMC's Buchon - while watching Wanaka DVDs of 1996-2006. Been very careful not to go on Facebook or WONZ too much, so as to save the coverage for tonight and tomorrow.
I've seen some beautiful pics of the weather down there - gorgeous.
And thebrads - thanks for the info on the jet racing, I'm glad to hear they had a pace plane (and with such a distinguished pilot). I hope it was as exciting to watch as the Reno races.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 20, 2014 19:05:02 GMT 12
The Wanaka weather improved over each of the three days.
Despite the Jeremiahs, yes it was worth the trip down.
Met up with a few of the guys, including Dave and Ryan.
Much more emphasis on SAA and GA aircraft and helicopters this time, which I think is good to see.
The organizers quite neatly filled the gaps of the no-show aircraft - it must be the first major air show in NZ for many years that was Harvardless.
The finale tribute with the Sopwith Triplane was, I thought, very well done.
Have about 1500 photos, but they will have to wait until I get back home at the end of the month.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2014 19:31:11 GMT 12
OK, I'll bite.... What is a Jeremiah?
I hate to seem negative but I have to say this. Although seeing a variety of different light GA aircraft and helicopters, etc, at an airshow might be good in some people's opinion, and I have nothing against it generally, I would NOT be interested in going to a specifically "Warbird" show that has loads of non-warbird, non-military aircraft on the bill. It's just a "general" airshow if that were the case, and not a warbird show. Therefore anything more than $25 at the gate would be excessive and I for one wouldn't bother going.
I'd never pay their $85.00 plus gate fee to watch homebuilds, Cessnas and other stuff you can see for free at most airports.
I had to laugh at the TV3 news report last night where the airshow's general manager was saying they've brought in the homebuilders and gyrocopter guys as they are the future of Warbirds Over Wanaka, because the warbird pilots are all too old. Yeah right, if that's really the direction they're taking it has NO future as a warbirds show, and little future as a general airshow. They could kiss goodbye to most of their audience, particularly the many Aussies that travel across the Tasman to bolster their Gold and Silver Pass stands as their own warbird scene is getting more and more vibrant these days.
What do other people think?
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Post by corsair5517 on Apr 20, 2014 19:55:37 GMT 12
The title of the thing is "Warbirds over Wanaka", not general light aviation over Wanaka; perhaps if that is indeed the way its going, then they'll have to re-brand and re-name it.
Frankly, I've never been; the Wigram show I attended as Dad's guest - VE Day Anniversary?? - spoiled most airshows for me with the exception of some TV celebrity in the commentators box trying too hard to be one of the cool kids!! The accommodations at that show for the veterans and guests were most salubrious....
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Post by lumpy on Apr 20, 2014 20:03:29 GMT 12
I had to laugh at the TV3 news report last night where the airshow's general manager was saying they've brought in the homebuilders and gyrocopter guys as they are the future of Warbirds Over Wanaka, because the warbird pilots are all too old. Yeah right, if that's really the direction they're taking it has NO future as a warbirds show, and little future as a general airshow. They could kiss goodbye to most of their audience, particularly the many Aussies that travel across the Tasman to bolster their Gold and Silver Pass stands as their own warbird scene is getting more and more vibrant these days. What do other people think? I saw that and took his comments to mean something a little different to what you seem to have Dave .I took his comments to mean that the younger pilots who fly homebuilds / gyrocopters etc could well be the folks that go on to buy a Yak , Harvard or Mustang in the future . I thought he meant that future of the show could well be with the people who currently fly cheaper types of aircraft - rather than the aircraft types themselves . I could be wrong . |
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Post by mumbles on Apr 20, 2014 20:11:41 GMT 12
Only place to get a beer in Wanaka is at the show... And I wound up doing just that  Got home this afternoon and having a sort through photos now. |
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Post by chinapilot on Apr 20, 2014 20:16:11 GMT 12
The point he was making ( and it's the subject of discussion all over the aviation world) is the ageing pilot population and unless some thing is done there will be no one to fly 'Warbirds' hence no more warbirds shows. It is a very serious problem as not many young people have the inclination anymore as it takes a vast amount of cash to get started so any show that fosters 'affordable' aviation is ok by me but won't of course satisfy the 'warbirds enthusiasts'. As for Jeremiah - you didn't pay attention during 'Sunday School'.... |
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Post by komata on Apr 20, 2014 21:28:37 GMT 12
RE the word 'Jeremiah': It is a very old term, that refers to a naysayer, negative person, an 'Eyore' (ref. AA Milne and the Pooh Bear stories), the so-described individual being probably of a Melancholy personality.
The term refers to the Biblical Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah, who was something of a pessimist and could only see a future full of calamity and catastrophe.
In the context in which flyernzl was using it, the reference was to those who said, because its rained and stormed so much up until today, it will still be doing that over the weekend and WoW will be washed out. WOW is DOOMED as a result....
They were of course, proven wrong.
Hoping that this clarifies the word's meaning for those who may not have heard of it before...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2014 21:34:14 GMT 12
To me Jeremiah is some Alabama redneck. Please explain....
The people who are purposely going for microlights and homebuilds are those at the cheapest end of the recreational spectrum of aviation because they usually say they cannot even afford the aero club route or all the CAA charges, etc. So why anyone thinks they'll suddenly get into high end, big money aircraft like warbirds beggars belief.
It has been traditionally military and ex-military pilots who fly warbirds, and as well as them those who fly for airlines, and those who own money making aviation companies like topdressing outfits.
I simply don't see how microliters naturally will step up to fly warbirds. They have generally not got the experience in high performance, powerful big money aeroplanes. So even if that is the tact the guy was taking, I still say he's wrong.
Can anyone prove me wrong and tell me who in warbirds today have gone from a microlite licence to flying a warbird?
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dodgy
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by dodgy on Apr 20, 2014 21:39:38 GMT 12
I didn't go to Wanaka this year, mostly driven by the lack of a drawcard that resonated with me personally. Wairapara had the Mosquito and Anson, no doubt Omaka will have something next year. I could not see the Hawks being a drawcard for me. If there were F18s - perhaps - I saw those at Ohakea a could of years ago and they were stunning (as a modern fighter should be).
Personally, it comes across a little disingenuous to state there is jetfighter racing, as the only jet fighter racing there was a Vampire, and that is hardly unique at our airshows.
No disrespect to home builts, but that are not warbirds in any sense. Some perform really well and most of them outperform my ageing tiger, but as someone else has said, one can enjoy them at a SAA/RAANZ or Sportavex show. I saw a Bantam sell for $3,000 recently, which stunned me in a pleasant way. What a great way to get into aviation, and incredibly cheap. That is less than a year of insurance on the tiger.
I am not sure about the future of warbirds in displays. In reality, there is no shortage of up and coming pilots. Just go to a show at Aardmore or a TVAL show at Masterton and they are already flying. It may take a few years before they can get into the heavy metal as those positions are being well defended by the incumbents, and will only be released once medicals become a problem.
Perhaps the greatest barrier to entry is simply cost? The heavy metal warbirds all require tail dragger time, and expensive Harvard time at that. Aim for 50 hours in a Harvard at $550/hr and it all adds up. If you have money, you can short cut this process and buy your own. Tiger moths and Chipmunks are going for a lot less now than they used to and could be a good starter. I tried to take my 10 year old son up for a flight yesterday. Damp magneto meant that didn't happen, but will try again on Anzac day. He was keen as and a Haynes Tiger manual and an icecream seemed like a reasonable substitute until next weekend.
Sorry about the ramblings, I hope that those who flew down Wanaka way have a safe and enjoyable flight home.
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Post by baronbeeza on Apr 20, 2014 21:50:37 GMT 12
I thought it was worth the trip, it is only every two years and I haven't managed to get to any others in NZ recently. Did the Transport and Toy museum while waiting for the airshow, - turned out to be a highlight and with real ceramic bog to boot. Possibly the best part of the trip.
Had a 3 day Gold Pass for a while but didn't venture into the enclosure so may well have missed seeing the other forum members that seemed to have been about.
Any airshow where you escape without buying another aircraft or spending similar major cash has to be a success.
As for the aging within the industry, I think that was only too apparent also. The aircraft, pilots, and even the spectators have to be getting older each show. As for the future, well I am sprucing up a Tomahawk here ready for the 'Classics' shows that must be just round the corner....
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Post by ErrolC on Apr 20, 2014 21:55:38 GMT 12
RE the word 'Jeremiah': It is a very old term, that refers to a naysayer, negative person, an 'Eyore' (ref. AA Milne and the Pooh Bear stories), the so-described individual being probably of a Melancholy personality. The term refers to the Biblical Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah, who was something of a pessimist and could only see a future full of calamity and catastrophe. In the context in which flyernzl was using it, the reference was to those who said, because its rained and stormed so much up until today, it will still be doing that over the weekend and WoW will be washed out. WOW is DOOMED as a result.... They were of course, proven wrong. Hoping that this clarifies the word's meaning for those who may not have heard of it before... I read flyernzl's comment as referring to posts about the line-up over the past few months, rather than the weather While I am glad that he enjoyed the show, this doesn't mean that those of us that expressed disappointment in the participants would have thought it was worth it to us. We have differing tastes (and opportunities), and wouldn't the world be boring if we didn't! Personally I certainly don't regret spending a similar amount of time and money going to the Centenary of Military Aviation in Melbourne. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2014 21:58:57 GMT 12
There are plenty of younger people involved within warbirds, some of them are regular display pilots too. Sure we have a lot of older, more experienced pilots as the leading lights of warbird display pilots and the younger guys are in the wings a bit, but hasn't it always been that way? There are several people on this very forum under 40 who fly warbirds, and display them at airshows. I think this bring in the SAA guys as the warbird pilots' replacements is a bit of a nonsense.
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Post by chinapilot on Apr 20, 2014 22:26:56 GMT 12
Jeez...in the old days nobody cared - they just went to airshows for the thrill of it but looks these days they have to a 'menu' |
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