Great Lakes Int'l Airshow

[beaver1]

http://www.greatlakesinternationalairshow.ca/


Looks Epic

[20DMEYYZ]

agreed, does look good... i'm thinking to mission down there. usually CAS demo's are only seen at an USAF base. anyone know how the parking situation is ? ( grass field or 2wheel friendly paved-lot )

[Tinker]

Do not plan on flying to this airshow.
They are not allowing itinerent aircraft to land.
Imagine, holding an airshow to promote aviation and they won't let us fly in our own aircraft to watch the show!

Here is their official response from the executive director of the airshow.
"having had only 20-25 odd itinerant aircraft attend the last show, losing the one runway and allocating staff to handle GA pilots really wasn't worth it."

St. Thomas is a big airport with lots of grass fields and taxiways between many rows of hangars that aircraft could be parked on for the afternoon.
Those hangars are far from the crowd and display area.

Other than Trenton, there isn't an airshow in Ontario that we can't fly into before the show starts.
This is how you piss off the aviation community.

[DHC-1 Jockey]

Do not plan on flying to this airshow.
They are not allowing itinerent aircraft to land.
Imagine, holding an airshow to promote aviation and they won't let us fly in our own aircraft to watch the show!

Here is their official response from the executive director of the airshow.
"having had only 20-25 odd itinerant aircraft attend the last show, losing the one runway and allocating staff to handle GA pilots really wasn't worth it."

St. Thomas is a big airport with lots of grass fields and taxiways between many rows of hangars that aircraft could be parked on for the afternoon.
Those hangars are far from the crowd and display area.

Other than Trenton, there isn't an airshow in Ontario that we can't fly into before the show starts.
This is how you piss off the aviation community.

Having worked the airshow there for two years, I can say that having itinerant aircraft was a bit of a pain. Keep in mind that the snowbirds and other performers need a sterile show-box in which to perform, and the other runways fall within the box. We had lots of complaints of pilots wanting to fly out after the show started due to wanting to beat weather, darkness, etc, and of course that can't happen with the show in progress. We also had to arrange shuttle service to and from the runways to the spectator area which for so few aircraft didn't make sense.

And, as for parking in-between the hangars, in past years this area has been used by vendors and the general public. Do you really want non-aviation types hanging around and touching your aircraft? Not to mention that there is no way to get your aircraft there as the snowbirds park on the west taxiway and the static area is on the main ramp, essentially blocking the way to the hangars.

If you really want to fly into CYQS, come down during the COPA fly-in breakfast in the fall. You'll have lots of room then.

[pelmet]

[quote="DHC-1 Jockey"]

Having worked the airshow there for two years, I can say that having itinerant aircraft was a bit of a pain. Keep in mind that the snowbirds and other performers need a sterile show-box in which to perform, and the other runways fall within the box. We had lots of complaints of pilots wanting to fly out after the show started due to wanting to beat weather, darkness, etc, and of course that can't happen with the show in progress. We also had to arrange shuttle service to and from the runways to the spectator area which for so few aircraft didn't make sense.

And, as for parking in-between the hangars, in past years this area has been used by vendors and the general public. Do you really want non-aviation types hanging around and touching your aircraft? Not to mention that there is no way to get your aircraft there as the snowbirds park on the west taxiway and the static area is on the main ramp, essentially blocking the way to the hangars.

If you really want to fly into CYQS, come down during the COPA fly-in breakfast in the fall. You'll have lots of room then.[/quote]

Thanks,

I'll just go to another show.

[fleet16b]

Well having worked at and flown in Airshows since 1979, IMHO refusing itinerant aircraft is a huge mistake. Maybe it's a pain accommodating them but I can think of many bigger pain when running Airshows.
DHC-1 Jockey you have no idea how bad of press the show is getting about this . It is being talked about frequently as the show approaches.
This decision is sending a bad message to the aviation community.
This is a fledgling show that has not been around long and all organizers make and learn as they go .
If I were you guys , I would reconsider your stance on this one

P,S, I am not trying to be critical ...just trying to pass some experience on to you guys.

Have a great show sorry I'll miss it

[warbirdpilot7]

Do not plan on flying to this airshow.
They are not allowing itinerent aircraft to land.
Imagine, holding an airshow to promote aviation and they won't let us fly in our own aircraft to watch the show!

Here is their official response from the executive director of the airshow.
"having had only 20-25 odd itinerant aircraft attend the last show, losing the one runway and allocating staff to handle GA pilots really wasn't worth it."

St. Thomas is a big airport with lots of grass fields and taxiways between many rows of hangars that aircraft could be parked on for the afternoon.
Those hangars are far from the crowd and display area.

Other than Trenton, there isn't an airshow in Ontario that we can't fly into before the show starts.
This is how you piss off the aviation community.

I understand your view point....Look at it from the orginizers standpoint(I am not one, but I do fly in airshows)

1. You need to have a deadline to allow the GA traffic to land. Someone will always be late for some reason and then beg on the radio to be let in.

2. You will have to stay for the DURATION of the show. Some pilots want to leave early(do not like the show, weather, wife wants the kids home etc...) These people will start engines early and expect to be allowed to fly out.

3. If it is the sunday of the show, some acts will do their flying and then depart for home directly. The ones that will land will need to depart at the end of the show. Now the local airport will look like JFK of Laguardia, with everyone leaving at the same time.

On a positive note, let's hope both Hamilton and St.Thomas are a success.

[fleet16b]

Hamilton has arrangments in place to welcome fly in spectators and their logistics issues are much bigger than most shows
so I am sure with a bit of effort St Thomas could have taken care of 20 fly in a/c with as little as 3-5 people

An airshow that is not pilots and aircraft friendly .........whats wrong with this picture ?

oh well , it's their call

[fleet16b]

I understand your view point....Look at it from the orginizers standpoint(I am not one, but I do fly in airshows)

1. You need to have a deadline to allow the GA traffic to land. Someone will always be late for some reason and then beg on the radio to be let in.

2. You will have to stay for the DURATION of the show. Some pilots want to leave early(do not like the show, weather, wife wants the kids home etc...) These people will start engines early and expect to be allowed to fly out.

3. If it is the sunday of the show, some acts will do their flying and then depart for home directly. The ones that will land will need to depart at the end of the show. Now the local airport will look like JFK of Laguardia, with everyone leaving at the same time.

On a positive note, let's hope both Hamilton and St.Thomas are a success.

All of the above points can easily be covered in a NOTAM . Once issued , you stick to it.
Most pilots understand these issues and the ones that don't will by the end of the show.
Most airports are begging for business so why bite the hand that feeds you . Fly in aircraft spend money on gas , food etc

[Beefitarian]

Plus pilots want to go to an airshow still. Regular people prefer www.YouTube.com