Abbotsford Airshow 2009 Disappointment

[C-FABH]

You can't run an airshow off the gate revenue.

BEER TENT! BEER TENT!

[no name]

I wish the creditors could get paid from all the bankrupt
airshows in the past in Ottawa. They stiffed the performers
at the last one (and lots of other suppliers).

Crap, I had no idea. Is this the group that organized the shows at YOW or the group organizing the shows at YRP? Personally, I gave up on Ottawa airshows back when they left YOW a number of years ago and returned to Carp. I've been gettin' my fix through anual trips to CIAS.

If they are or were stiffing performers, I can't see how they are going to organize a "show" for 2010 as their site indicates http://www.airshowottawa.ca/en/index.php . Personally, I think they should just give up.

[Hedley]

Is this the group that organized the shows at YOW or the group organizing the shows at YRP?

Amazingly, both (different) groups have stiffed creditors. It's
like Ottawa is the Bermuda Triangle of airshows or something.

Footnote: the organizer of the CYOW Ottawa Airshows - who
ended up owing a lot of people a lot of money - had a bizarre
message on his phone answering machine, telling any creditors
that called to take a hike in no uncertain terms. I am told he
was afterwards appointed as a member (judge) to the Civil
Aviation Tribunal which I have trouble believing.

The reason I know a little about this guy, is that he originally
told us that we could perform in the Ottawa airshow (back
when it was a CYOW) but then Transport called him up and
told him that he wasn't allowed to have us fly in his show,
even though we were qualified to do so.

This happened at airshows all over Canada. Turned out
we didn't lose much by not performing at Ottawa, though!

[YVR Dude]

I attended Sunday's show and must admit that for celebrating 100 years of powered flight, it was a disappointing airshow... Not a lot of other military demonstration teams, like the Thunderbirds, or the Blue Angels..heck, how long has it been since the angels even attended!! As well, I came in from zero ave and there were no signs giving us guidance to the show..
Always enjoy the Abottsford Airshow but this year was the worst..and I've been going to these things since early to mid 80's...oh well...maybe next year will be good!

[sg321]

Sorry to sound so rude, but those who called this show a "dissappointment" have no clue of the quality of performances and especially static displays that the flying events team have put together in Abbotsford year, after year- including 2009.

The quality of and quantity of static display this year was outstanding. I ask those who seem to think this years show was a let down to find another Canadian air show that has been as stable in terms of quality year after year as with Abbotsford. Sure the TBirds and Blues didn't make it out, its not as though the show didn't try, its down to the teams to pick their performance locations according to availability and scheduling issues.

If you guys do your research on Canadian shows and even most American shows not on airforce or naval bases, this years show ranks up on the list as one of the best flying events and static displays. Give your heads a shake...

[Spokes]

I didn't go this year, but I did last year. seriously dissapointed. Anyone who thinks xx airshow was good, clearly hasn't been to the airshow as it was back in 86' the first time I went.

[Old Dog Flying]

fl80: As far as the volunteers go, they were very well organized and very helpful. If anyone was being yelled at, it was the nasty little people who have no respect for the aircraft or folks that put a lot of effort into them.

Having worked the YMJ airshow for 6 years, I know what goes into the organizing and implementing of the displays, demonstrations and all the sundry little things that go into making a show work. And they certainly worked at Abbotsford.

I would have returned on Sunday had it not been for a serious disability...I could hardly walk on Sunday morning...old age got the better of me.

See you next year.
Barney

[sg321]

Of course it wasn't like expo '86! That was literally a once in a lifetime show. You can't compare shows from way back when. I admit those days rocked, but times change. Aircraft availability is far less plus increased saturation of small shows limit having all the NA demo teams not to mention the money. The closest thing to '86 might be the 50th anniversary show in a few years. I am expecting big things!

[Spokes]

Of course it wasn't like expo '86! That was literally a once in a lifetime show. You can't compare shows from way back when. I admit those days rocked, but times change. Aircraft availability is far less plus increased saturation of small shows limit having all the NA demo teams not to mention the money. The closest thing to '86 might be the 50th anniversary show in a few years. I am expecting big things!

Likie I said, todays airshows are a dissapointment compared to that one. It set the standard. If I remember correctly, flying demonstrations by (amoung many others) an-124, an-74, concorde, sr-71 (that one rocked). Concorde wasn't on static but the others were. Tons of other stuff, lots of loose women, great parties. I remember the Snowbirds had booked a local bar for a participants (and guests) party. I don't think there will ever be one to match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXvujY_wXiI

[Hedley]

Not all airshows today suck. Probably the best
airshow I have ever been to was Quebec City
last year - I think it was the 400yr celebration?

They had (get this):

USN Blue Angels
USAF T-birds
RCAF Snowbirds
RAF Red Arrows
etc

That's right - FOUR major jet teams. It was
incredible. So was the attendance - a staggering
number of people showed up - I think at least
100,000 the day I was there.

Fantastic display.

Moral of the story: airshows in Canada don't
always have to suck.

[Invertago]

You want a good YXX airshow... kick start the cold war. With out the US and USSR competing and flexing their muscles there is little incentive to come to YXX. As previously mentioned, ticket sales don't pay the bills and what foreign country is really that interested in paying to entertain Canadians?

[C-FABC]

I havent been to the airshow for years but from what it looks like the line up of acts and static display has not changed for about 15 years. time to get the antonov back and the brazilian air force. i also remember the concord huling over in '89 or '90. too bad its been the same old for so long. however it is not nearly pathetic as our show out here in Ottawa.

[sg321]

Your right, the Quebec airshow was celebrating 400 years, so that was their "big one" like ours was in '86. From what I understand the Quebec airshow doesn't take place annually either, rather one year and then a couple or several years off before the next. But compare the show to Abbotsford:

Quebec Performers:
Snowbirds
Blue Angels
Thunderbirds
Red Arrows
CF-18
Gene Soucy
Dan Buchanan
Les Shockley
Skip Stewart
Skyhawks


Abbotsford Performers
Snowbirds
Skyhawks
CF-18
Hawk One
C-17
F-16
F/A-18F
USAF Heritage Flight
Centennial Heritage Flight
CAF Assault Demo
MH-65 Dolphin
CP-140
F-15 x2

T-6
MiG-17
P-51
Fouga Magister
A-26
F-7
P-51
Yak 11
Harvard MkIV
Harvard MkII
Museum of Flight

Kent Pietsch
Warren Pietsch
Rob Holland
Dan Buchanan



I'll take an annual airshow with a much better rounded show with better variety over one loaded with just demo teams. Plus check out the static lineup for each show, Abbotsford wins out on that IMO- pretty strong considering this was just "another" show at Abbotsford whereas they were celebrating 400 years in Quebec. If your really only their for the big demo teams then the 25th anniversary show will probably be the best hope in the near future here.

[AOtterstrom]

I found this year to be a bit slow as previous posters have stated but still enjoyable. Static was a bit weak this year and the F 18 demos where a bit repetitive. War birds and the mig 17 where definitely cool.

[swordfish]

Tremendous pics, robreid. Thanks from those of us who cannot get there...!

[robbreid]

Obama bars U.S. aircraft from Moscow air show over crisis
14/08/2009 17:25
The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, president Barack Obama has banned U.S. Air Force planes from participating in MAKS-2009 air show in Russia citing the ongoing economic crisis, the show organizer said on August 14.

"Eight U.S. aircraft were originally set to be showcased at MAKS and two more to participate in demonstration flights. But the U.S. president's last-minute decision was not to send the planes, which is due to economic, rather than political, reasons," said Vladimir Borisov of the Aviasalon firm.

Earlier reports said over 711 companies, including 465 Russian firms, will participate in the biennial air show outside Moscow on August 18-23.

MAKS bills itself as "a demonstration of the advantages and development trends of Russian science and industry in such high-tech areas as aviation, space, missile engineering."

The United States dispatched nine Air Force planes to the previous show, including a B-52 Stratofortress which stirred intense interest, as well as F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon fighter jets that performed demonstration flights.

Borisov also said the A-380 airliner, the world's largest and most technologically advanced aircraft to date, would not be showcased either due to a busy schedule of test and routine flights.

Russia's Interior Ministry said on Friday the crisis would not affect the number of visitors to the show this year, with 100,000 tickets already sold and up to 220,000 visitors expected next Sunday alone.