Newcastle Festival of Flight 2018 - 11th August

[Angry Turnip]

Sadly correct-it was confirmed 30 mins ago ,and 20 mins ago that all displays have been canceled due to the bad weather-who would have thought in early August eh?

https://www.facebook.com/DownFestivals

[jasT1981]

It was the right call. Absolutely horrible weather than was just too unsafe to fly in.

On the plus side I got to meet and talk to Red 10, and got a few photos with him

[ed-209]

Just back form Newcastle  via ards airfield in case there was a photo opportunity ((....10 mins before the phoon came in things were looking ok...such a change in the weather...i'm actually sunburnt....Gutted last 2 times out and both a wash out

[jasT1981]

This is from the door of the Slieve Donard Hotel. Dreadful conditions.



Rich Goodwin made a brief appearance. Flypast with smoke and back to Ards.

[Gibbo555]

A shame for all who put the effort organising and those who travelled down to Newcastle.

I have seen a lot of “shambles” and “disgrace” type comments on social media  aimed at the organisers. It’s not their fault the weather was so bad.  Some people need to take a common sense pill.

[Angry Turnip]

Sadly common sense is not so common.

I think the snowflakes that post that sort of rubbish need to be challenged by others,not in an aggressive way,but just set them straight,that any airshow and airshow display is subject to appropriate,and safe weather conditions for the pilots and spectators.

Mind you,it should be an obvious thing if visibility is so bad,as was the case at Newcastle yesterday,these complainers are showing just how dense they really are.

[52POSTROC]

What I found sad were the pictures that the RAF100 team posted at 4pm showing a totally desterted ground display zone. No wonder it all closed early.

[jasT1981]

A shame for all who put the effort organising and those who travelled down to Newcastle.

I have seen a lot of “shambles” and “disgrace” type comments on social media  aimed at the organisers. It’s not their fault the weather was so bad.  Some people need to take a common sense pill.

Out of a 222.9k reach this week I only got 2 comments that were looking to blame people.

One suggested its the councils fault for failing at  picking a better date while knowing the possibility of bad weather and knowing Newcastle has had too many cancellations over the years (this was actually the first time anything cancelled due to weather, and only the 2nd time on the airshow weekend that  displays had cancelled in Newcastle, the first being the Reds and Catalina in 2015)

The other complained in 10 years of coming to Newcastle (it's not been going for 10 years) He's only seen the Reds once as they cancel every time.   Only to then admit he wasn't even here this weekend LOL.

[flying cowboy]

Sad to see all cancelled , only sight of the Red Arrows was at BIA ..From my Flickr page .        https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulster_ni/43259082904/in/album-72157661537073708/

[NISPOT]

It was the right call. Absolutely horrible weather than was just too unsafe to fly in.

On the plus side I got to meet and talk to Red 10, and got a few photos with him

Did Red 10 arrive at Newcastle by road - I didn't see any sign of the usual Gazelle at the Slieve Donard that brings him down from BFS?

[jasT1981]

I believe so, there was no helicopter at the hotel when he was leaving.

He also travelled by car with Circus 10 (who was in Newcastle too) to Blackpool yesterday.

[Jimi182]

I believe so, there was no helicopter at the hotel when he was leaving.

He also travelled by car with Circus 10 (who was in Newcastle too) to Blackpool yesterday.

I think the Gazelles were tired up with operations across NI.  If he was transported by road, I'm sure it was a long old drive to Newcastle and back.  The Reds didn't land till near 12:30, so he would have been hitting airshow traffic on the way?  Or maybe it wouldn't have been so bad at that time.

[jasT1981]

I believe so, there was no helicopter at the hotel when he was leaving.

He also travelled by car with Circus 10 (who was in Newcastle too) to Blackpool yesterday.

I think the Gazelles were tired up with operations across NI.  If he was transported by road, I'm sure it was a long old drive to Newcastle and back.  The Reds didn't land till near 12:30, so he would have been hitting airshow traffic on the way?  Or maybe it wouldn't have been so bad at that time.

Ten minutes before the Reds arrived in NI over Newcastle traffic was free flowing into the town with no queues. My aunt and uncle got in with no problems or waiting. At around 1pm traffic on main street was free flowing and no tailbacks.

Not many came to Newcastle it seems. Main street was nowhere near as busy as it was in past years an hour before the show. At 1:20pm, 10 minutes before the show and with then blue skies, the grounds of the Slieve Donard were pretty empty.

Most people saw the forecast and decided against it I think

RAF 100 Static and STEM Village was very busy, but it was a small space.