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Post by rbwannabe on Jan 29, 2013 22:11:23 GMT 12
JP.... Email me
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Post by stereoimage on Jan 29, 2013 22:18:30 GMT 12
Hey all. I attended the last two days of the Airshow. Yes, the turnout was not so good, and yes there was a huge lack of participating aircraft (especially considering the magic that NZ airshow attendee's are used to), but I have to say I found the concept, the infrastructure and the technology to be awesome. I have been to airshows all over the world, and the massive screens with live footage from the Cineflex helicopter and camera's in every cockpit added an entirely different dimension to the show. The upbeat style and 'spectacle' of it erased the usually 'stodgy' airshow vibe that non-airplane-geek event goers usually complain about. I totally understand why many aircraft aficionado's felt let down by the show, but the feedback from many lay people was excellent. The 'Manoeuvre Racing' was excellent, with five 'identical' aircraft given randomly to pilots who race a parallel track via mandatory loops, stall turns and half-cubans. The Furio acted as a start plane. It was great to watch. Watching Yves Rossy do barrel rolls around a formation of five robins was wonderful! The venue was a problem, severely limiting the aircraft that could land, but the vibe there was good, and the North Shore Aero Club did a fantastic job as the host. This kind of airshow spectacle will really bridge the gap between us aero-geeks and the general event going public, which can only be good for everybody yes? Anyway, I will stop the rant, and just say that I look forward to the future with classic NZ airshows taking this technology onboard (I think maybe the main reason he put the airshow on anyway was to showcase this technology), to provide a better experience to the audience. Just imagine seeing views from inside the Corsair or Vampire as it was looping overhead...  Ok here are some photos! Cheers, enjoy Edit: Bugger... cant get any images from that album to display for some reason. hang on trying to fix it...  |
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Post by mcmaster on Jan 30, 2013 0:36:22 GMT 12
Interesting discussion of this event. I reckon the organisers were really brave to bring a new "product" into the airshow business. My distant observation was that some of the hype was a bit over the top i.e. premium aviation event .. international.. logos with jet display teams. Mind you if someone bought tickets on the hype and did not look at the line-up then no helping them.
Could this technology and organisation be applicable to other bigger shows? Possibly.. but the nagging question is for a full blown show ie with military jets etc do you need a big screen anyway?.. Would the USAF for example allow someone plonking Gopro cameras in their a/c? Maybe they will as it seems more recently many airshow participants (including military teams) make their own cockpit HD productions. Maybe this is the niche area this group can get into to promote airshows and aviation/defence businesses.
The images above are really impressive and that one of Jetman as a speck flying in formation with the a/c is pretty cool but the one with people filming big screens is a bit weird.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 30, 2013 2:11:30 GMT 12
Help me out here please - are people here saying that the RNZAF Red Checkers team performed their routine in Robins rather than Airtrainers?
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Post by rbwannabe on Jan 30, 2013 5:48:48 GMT 12
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Post by stereoimage on Jan 30, 2013 7:13:28 GMT 12
Ah photobucket is driving me crazy!  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 30, 2013 7:55:14 GMT 12
Chris, Nope.
Thanks Richard, I was a bit confused there.
Great photos JP and Peter!
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stuartd
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 8
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Post by stuartd on Jan 30, 2013 8:43:01 GMT 12
Thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth since I don't contribute enough . I was keen to go but don't live in Auckland and blew my airshow budget at Masterton (worth every penny and more). From what I've seen and heard, I think the format was great, it looked new and exciting and very well run. As an airshow regular, the content didn't look up to scratch but there are plenty of people who don't attend airshows a lot who would have probably enjoyed it. I do think it was oversold as mentioned, Pictures of l-39's on the website etc but then, you got to sell events to get bums on seats. Ironically when I first saw the website, I wished we had a local L-39 aerobatic team, turns out we DO! Hopefully it will be put on again at a bigger airfield (Whenuapai gets my vote) and more warbirds and more military. They don't need cameras on every aircraft, just the headline stuff. Anyway, top marks for effort. |
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Post by Ykato on Jan 30, 2013 12:33:38 GMT 12
Most of if not all? the Red Checker CT-4s are fitted with 2 Gopro's each this season  . 
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Post by ngatimozart on Jan 30, 2013 13:25:42 GMT 12
Cool & they're not that expensive either.
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Post by sqwark2k on Jan 30, 2013 14:09:23 GMT 12
The Airshow was run by a chap called Peter Newport. Newport is chief executive of Airshow Systems Ltd www.airshowsystems.com/Airshow Systems Ltd describe themselves as a specialist company providing advanced TV and marketing systems to the air show and air events |
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Post by conman on Jan 30, 2013 19:24:41 GMT 12
He organized the Glding Grand Prix event in Omarama a few years ago using the same formula of live big screens with cameras mounted on gliders transmitting images in real time, apparently it was quite well received at the time, he also used to part own Southern Soaring a company offering adventure glider flights out of Omarama.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Jan 30, 2013 20:02:40 GMT 12
I guess ultimately if it promotes aviation as a positive thing with the general public it must be a good thing. I had no interest in attending because I primarily go to airshows to see vintage aircraft displays and that was the one thing rather obviously lacking from this particular show, but if it was to be held in future with a slightly more diverse lineup of aircraft I would certainly consider it. A better venue than North Shore would be needed though, I think Whenuapai would be ideal.
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Post by Ykato on Jan 30, 2013 22:30:22 GMT 12
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Post by mcmaster on Jan 31, 2013 0:05:50 GMT 12
Interesting link Ykato. Maybe its hows its written but it seems the author misses the point that the limited lineup might have been the very reason for the low numbers! The later comparisons with other mainly RNZAF shows also forget that these are not commercial gigs, but NZ defence (and other visiting forces) funded flag waving exercises. At these shows there may be a commercial fringe i.e. outsourced parking management (Ohakea comes to mind) and some trade stalls but that is it. Also comparisons with Avalon are a problem because what incentive does Boeing have to bring a Rhino or suchlike to a NZ show? The Texan which came to a few shows recently in NZ be the limit from that angle.
I feel a bit sorry for people who thought they were going to get the RNZAF 75th show without the traffic and better dunnies and bars but methinks most people did their research.
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Post by stereoimage on Jan 31, 2013 8:20:29 GMT 12
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 31, 2013 8:51:17 GMT 12
Corsair, you don't know that, and I am guessing because the airshow wasn't what you wanted it to be, therefore it has to be a failure! So I ask you when was the last time an aviation event managed to attract well over an hour of prime time TV? As well as radio, social media etc etc. I have never been to a pre-show meeting where all the participating performers where presented to all the major media. The people behind this are at the top of their game in media and technology, and despite this being their first attempt at an airshow I think they nailed it with what they had. The live camera feeds from onboard cameras, ground units and especially the helicopter cameras was fantastic. Plus the interviews and presentations, whilst a bit scratchy on the first day, worked really well in the end. Sure the air race Robins were not ideal Aircraft for the event but they performed really well, and I think more than a few skeptics, have revised their opinion. But importantly the race format (rules by Slackie) has been proven as such an exciting concept that it has already been discussed for overseas events. So before you write it off, as you have, think of the positives. And whilst you are doing that.......think about what you would get if you incorporated the technology, expertise and organisation that was on display this weekend with our already fantastic World class airshows? I actually think the ideas behind the show are quite good. The point I was making is that if you are predicting between 40-60 000 people will attend the event - yet from what a number of various people have said, it would seem that numbers were somewhat short of the predicted totals - then to me it would seem that the likelihood of being able to stage another similar event wouldn't be very high. I sincerely hope someone can prove me wrong with this. Maybe NZ is too small for such an ambitious project, and maybe it would work in a bigger population catchment area in Europe or the USA? |
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Post by slackie on Jan 31, 2013 13:01:03 GMT 12
I've remained pretty quite on this particular subject so far waiting to see what others thought, but now I feel compelled to have my 10c worth....
I must admit to being one of the sceptics early in the piece, and when asked to help as Assistant Director and Race Director for the air racing, I thought long and hard before agreeing. Having been associated with Warbirds Over Wanaka for over 10 years and considering myself a bit of an airshow junkie, I had seen the relatively recent failure of the Hamilton Airshow from the inside (as Senior ATCO at HN Twr) and wasn't confident that the airshow public of NZ were ready for another newcomer to the established kiwi airshow circuit.
However, the difference between the Hamilton non-show organiser and Mr Newport is that he brought an experienced team together and is passionate about what he does. As one of my colleagues kept saying, Peter Newport is a "glass half full" type guy. Many obstacles and barriers were raised (not the least of which was the late withdrawal of support from Ardmore Aiport Limited and Warbirds Association), but instead of admitting defeat he and show director Bob Henderson battled on, found an new location, and for my money put on an exceptional show.
Yes, it was light on performers - more dropped off the list late notice (including the SeaSprite only 2 days before the show), but you cannot fault those that were present. Jetman was astounding, the Squirrels were dynamic, Chuck Berry is just plain crazy, the Aussie race pilots were competitive (and took out the silverware), and the Pembertons (apart from being a genuinely nice couple) put on an amazing show. All the guest performers were positive, enthusiastic, and to be fair were all at the top of their international disciplines. A true international airshow.
Yes, there were lessons that need to be learned. The Aussie pilots should have also been given the opportunity to display, but this is difficult if no-one was willing to loan them an aircraft (as we did for Melissa). The cost of shipping their aircraft to NZ was prohibitive at short notice.
Yes, I believe the ticket pricing was too expensive. But I also believe that Aucklanders were also too apathetic to get out there and support the event... more inclined to spend the same if not more in an evening at a restaurant or nightclub!!
Support....now that's an interesting topic. There seems to be many people moaning that there weren't any warbirds there... they were invited, they were involved (at least until they withdrew), and the only one that turned up in a private capacity was the Blunty (nice display Andrew, particularly with the "distractions"!!). Had there been a full program of warbirds would the show have been a "success"?!?! I really hope they look at the footage of the 5 Robins with Jetman formating on them and think "Damn! That could have been me!"
The air racing (my baby!) was initially intended to be with high performance aerobatic aircraft... that became 3 Furios... then the Robins. I really had reservations that Robins would work and feared they would look pretty lame, but water down the aerobatics and add smoke plus 6 very skilled pilots (7 counting Giovanni!) and the racing was close and exciting. We couldn't have scripted the finish better - except perhaps if the Kiwi (Grant Benns) had retained the silver!
I believe the technology (that was only trialed for the first time on the Saturday) has set the benchmark for future airshows. I won't be satisfied at any future airshow unless it is present.... oh, and it wasn't just a few GoPro cameras scattered around a couple of aircraft, it was full on LIVE in cockpit, on wing, on skydiver helmet live links back to a full OB (outside broadcast) unit such as you see at a V8 Supercars event, and by Monday we had it all working pretty well.
Was the show a success? Was it worth going to? Would I do it again?
HELL YES!!
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Post by Ykato on Jan 31, 2013 14:59:23 GMT 12
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Post by ngatimozart on Jan 31, 2013 20:58:53 GMT 12
As a proof of concept I think it worked pretty well. I wasn't there as live in ChCh but saw some of the online streaming and my only beef was the download speed. I think the crowd issue maybe an Auckland thing because I notice the lackof crowds at Eden prk for Super rugby etc. Whilst I have stated Whenuapai would be a good venue, one would wonder what if it were held at say Paraparaumu or at Hamilton. I do think it has to be different to the WOW (Wanaka & Wairarapa) and Omaka in order for it to work. I don't think it will be an Avalon but I think it needs to have an industry focus as well as an entertainment and military component, with maybe some historic and warbird input. I say well done and hopefully this will become a regular event.
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