Portrush Airshow 2009

[Merlin]

That's long enough in the corner 

I still say either of the cliff tops as all of the display aircraft will pass close to them, whereas the likes of the Typhoon and possibly the BBMF will not come in to the bay itself.

There are two marker buoys placed on the edge of the bay which the jets aren't allowed to cross for safety reasons. The helicopters and turboprops are allowed to come in closer to the shore. The last couple of years I've gone to Ramore head which gets you close to the action. Along the beach puts you too far away, especially when the jets are displaying.

[Blackbird]

The Newsline weather at 6:30 showed those nasty rain clouds for Saturday and Sunday.

Lets all hope they are wrong again 

[Angry Turnip]

Forecast looks really bad Might end up just being a one day show or scrubbed completely,could be a real problem the ground being so wet underfoot.

The rain has been relentless this past 6 weeks or more

[Hammerhead]

The Forecast down here said that Saturday will be mostly dry and Sunday will be ok till evening when rain will arrive...  This seems to say the same...http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?day=3&zipcode=Antrim    so roll on Saturday with suncream all round...    

[CanonJohns40d]

Hi Just popped in to say hello. I joined the site today having also found it while searching for Airshow information. Some good info on here so keep up the good work. The news about the A380 has had me buzzing since I saw it  on here, that's one I really can't wait for.

I am going up on Friday and staying until Monday so like everyone I just hope the weather will be ok. Hope you all have a great time and you never know we might bump into one and other up on the cliff.

John

[Rachel K]

Hey All

Looks like we're cancelling flying up Bellarena is too short for us and Derry closes at 5! Feckers. But we're going to drive up early that morning so still all good!
Questions where is good to watch the show? I know there are previous posts on it, but we're not that interested in taking pictures so Im asking from audience point which would be the best spot to see everything.
Thanks!

Normally im at the actual westbay sitting along the front of the beach at blackrock end and I dont think i would like to be anywhere else. I think the view is great.

[Rachel K]

Thanks casper!
Also...where would anyone recommend to park and how soon before 12 should we get there?

I am dwn at 8 in the morning and have trouble parking. App dunluce centre have free car parking so u would need to be there reli early to get parked. Other places could be the beach in portrush. I think its easy bay. It could be quite a walk but i went down last on the sunday last year and was still able to get parked

[Rachel K]

The Forecast down here said that Saturday will be mostly dry and Sunday will be ok till evening when rain will arrive...  This seems to say the same...http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?day=3&zipcode=Antrim    so roll on Saturday with suncream all round...    

LMAO heres hoping. All think happy thoughts haha

[Rachel K]

I still say either of the cliff tops as all of the display aircraft will pass close to them, whereas the likes of the Typhoon and possibly the BBMF will not come in to the bay itself.

I do need to admit to that. The year that the spitfire came, me and dad were greatly dissapointed by how far out it was. Unfort because my mum is disabled we cant go to the cliffs because it would be no good for a wheelchair. Last yr we were sent up to a caravan park to where disabled people could go and we were APPALLED. Could see absolutely nothing!

[casper]

  Hi John and welcome to the forum.

It looks like there's going to be quite a few of us on the cliffs this year

[greglloyd]

Weather models are currently showing a weak transient ridge of high pressure (1020mb) crossing Ireland on Saturday. However, the sting in the tail is that a warm sector crosses Northern Ireland in this ridge and therefore will give rather cloudy conditions with some rain (especially on Saturday morning through until lunchtime or so). It should however improve as the day goes on to leave brighter skies by the evening.

We just need to keep our fingers crossed now that there won't actually be that much rain from it. However, I do expect it to be a lot better on Saturday compared to what we've been having the past day or so.

[Rachel K]

Weather models are currently showing a weak transient ridge of high pressure (1020mb) crossing Ireland on Saturday. However, the sting in the tail is that a warm sector crosses Northern Ireland in this ridge and therefore will give rather cloudy conditions with some rain (especially on Saturday morning through until lunchtime or so). It should however improve as the day goes on to leave brighter skies by the evening.

We just need to keep our fingers crossed now that there won't actually be that much rain from it. However, I do expect it to be a lot better on Saturday compared to what we've been having the past day or so.

thanks for that. everywhere i look it seems to give a different outlook, never know where to look.

[Rallyman]

Hi all just joined and thought i might post some of the Notams that are connected with the airshow ,hope were all set for some rehearsals tomorrow , i see the BBMF are also doing a flypast at Hillborough on Sat as well .


H3909/09 - PARACHUTE DISPLAY WI 2NM 5511N 00641W (PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND)
AUS 09-09-0182/AS3. SFC - 5100FT AMSL, 05 1325-1455, 06 1415-1545, 05 SEP 13:25
2009 UNTIL 06 SEP 15:45 2009. CREATED: 02 SEP 13:11 2009

 
H3879/09 - FLYPAST BY BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLT ACFT WI 3NM 5422N 00604W
(HILLSBOROUGH, COUNTY DOWN). AUS 09-09-0177/AS1. SFC - 2500FT AMSL, 05 SEP 15:45
2009 UNTIL 05 SEP 16:10 2009. CREATED: 01 SEP 13:28 2009

 
H3838/09 - MAJOR DISPLAY WI 5NM RADIUS 551218N 0064010W (PORTRUSH, NORTHERN
IRELAND). REHEARSALS ON 03 AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING DAY. SEE SEPARATE
NOTAM FOR RED ARROWS RESTRICTED AREAS TEMPORARY. AUS 09-09-0036/AS1. SFC - FL100,
03 0800-1700, 05 AND 06 1000-1730, 03 SEP 08:00 2009 UNTIL 06 SEP 17:30 2009.
CREATED: 28 AUG 07:45 2009

 
J5418/09 -
RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) AT PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND FOR A RED
ARROWS DISPLAY WI 6NM RADIUS 551218N 0064010W. AREA ESTABLISHED UNDER
ARTICLE 96 OF THE ANO 2005 (MIL ACFT SHOULD COMPLY WITH
JSP552.201.135.9). AIC M 61/2009 DATED 16 JUL 09 REFERS.
AUS 09-09-0036/AS1. SFC - 8100FT AMSL, 05 1055-1135, 06 1555-1635, 05 SEP 10:55
2009 UNTIL 06 SEP 16:35 2009. CREATED: 27 AUG 15:19 2009

 Regards
Chris

[MikeyB999]

Dont forget folks that it is usually free to park along the road mostly on the day! Mostly on the pavement but I park outside on the grass at the caravan site before Dhu Varren and then quick shoot across the road and walk down the path into black rocks and portrush. Then you are ahead of the game and not stuck in Portrush trying to get out if you leave a little early.
Expect about an hour to get to Coleraine though up the back road to the university.

Hope this helps all.
Mike

[October]

I'm debating whether or not to go to Portrush on Saturday to see the A380 display or whether to go to Belfast City to see the flypast.
The main thing about Portrush would be travel. I'm thinking the traffic is going to be mad (person I know spent 4hrs in a traffic jam last year) and so would probably just get the train up, but that takes quite a while and would certainly not be the only one doing that, there and back.

On the other hand, I could drive to Belfast City (30 mins) and get a decent view along the Airport Road.

What would you do? Both are going to quite short and so I'm thinking Belfast City would be the wiser option from a expense/gain point of view...
 

[Rachel K]

I'm debating whether or not to go to Portrush on Saturday to see the A380 display or whether to go to Belfast City to see the flypast.
The main thing about Portrush would be travel. I'm thinking the traffic is going to be mad (person I know spent 4hrs in a traffic jam last year) and so would probably just get the train up, but that takes quite a while and would certainly not be the only one doing that, there and back.

On the other hand, I could drive to Belfast City (30 mins) and get a decent view along the Airport Road.

What would you do? Both are going to quite short and so I'm thinking Belfast City would be the wiser option from a expense/gain point of view...

If the airbus was the only thing you want to see id say Belfast but the Airshow is a great event and would highly recommend going to it. Traffic is crazy but in the end it is norm worth it.

[iCardboardRobot]

Dont forget folks that it is usually free to park along the road mostly on the day! Mostly on the pavement but I park outside on the grass at the caravan site before Dhu Varren and then quick shoot across the road and walk down the path into black rocks and portrush. Then you are ahead of the game and not stuck in Portrush trying to get out if you leave a little early.
Expect about an hour to get to Coleraine though up the back road to the university.

Hope this helps all.
Mike

Sorry to disagree mate, but last year the parking wardens were issuning tickets left right and centre, so be very careful where you park folks !

[casper]

From the official show site

Free parking is available at Dunluce Centre, Landsdowne Crescent, East Strand and along the Coast Road to Portstewart.West Bay will be closed to all traffic. Disabled parking is available at the Ballyreagh Golf Club car park for holders of valid 'blue badges'.
Important Notice
At the end of each show day traffic leaving Portrush will be subject to a temporary PSNI road traffic management plan: 

• All traffic on Main Street can only turn left onto Causeway Street and there will be no right turn at the roundabout at the Maxol fuel station. All traffic will be directed along the coast road towards Bushmills and Belfast.
• All traffic on Dunluce Avenue will be directed to the right at the mini-roundabout towards Coleraine/Portstewart.

 
Please choose the appropriate route for your destination.

[Rachel K]

Dont forget folks that it is usually free to park along the road mostly on the day! Mostly on the pavement but I park outside on the grass at the caravan site before Dhu Varren and then quick shoot across the road and walk down the path into black rocks and portrush. Then you are ahead of the game and not stuck in Portrush trying to get out if you leave a little early.
Expect about an hour to get to Coleraine though up the back road to the university.

Hope this helps all.
Mike

Sorry to disagree mate, but last year the parking wardens were issuning tickets left right and centre, so be very careful where you park folks !

Very true. Across the road from westbay where the houses are there are parking spaces and anyone who parked there got tickets......why i do not know. They dont care if the ppl are disabled. Maybe im being harsh but thats my own opinion. No one comes to tell you that you cant park there but instead ppl come back to a fine

[Rallyman]

Is RFA Largs Bay def coming to the show as i see her still moored in Portland.

[Xair]

Is RFA Largs Bay def coming to the show as i see her still moored in Portland.

Good call rallyman
I've just checked ship ais and she's still moored up.

http://www.shipais.com/showship.php?mmsi=232653000

I suppose it would only take a day or so to get to Portrush, must keep an eye out tonight and tomorrow and see if she sails in our direction.

Xair

[Mervynes]

I have added an album of the Airbus A380 to the gallery under my user name which should be of interest.

[iCardboardRobot]

folks, watched the warm display of the beach landing, all i can say is WOW, the sea kings pilots are fantastic and flew in very strong winds with superb skill !
I'll post a poor qualitly video of it later (camera phone)

[Xair]

Great stuff C_R, I just caught some chat on City of Derry Approach saying they were leaving Portrush and going to Ballykelly. Looking forward to seeing the Vid. 

[Snoop55]

Is RFA Largs Bay def coming to the show as i see her still moored in Portland.

Hi Chris,

Yes the RFA Largs Bay is still coming but not until Saturday!!!!  I just got a telephone call this afternoon from the Royal Navy to say that as the ship would not be there tomorrow my flight out to her has been cancelled!!!!  It also looks like she will not be sitting in the bay when she does arrive as they've finally worked out the height of this vessel is around 150 feet at the tallest point and could be an issue for those participating in the show.