Portrush Airshow return in 2022

[jasT1981]

Some of you already knew, but I kept it off the boards as it was not official. But last night Causeway coast and Glenns council voted to reinstate the Portrush Airshow from 2022 and run in every 2 years. It will now be known as the ' International Causeway Airshow'

https://news.causewaycoastcommunity.co.uk/local-news/green-light-for-international-causeway-airshow/

Military
RAF Red Arrows (Saturday Only)
RAF BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane (Saturday only )
RAF Typhoon
RAF Tutor
Irish Air Corps Silver Swallows (self confirm)
Irish Air Corps Wolf Helicopter Display Team (Self Confirm)

Civilian
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco - Bronco Demo Team
Vans RV8 x6 - Team Raven
AutoGyro
Hawker Fury
Me109

[jasT1981]

Dates are looking to be September 10th & 11th

Show is looking to move from East Strand to between Portrush and Portstewart due to new CAA regulations forcing jets further out on the East stand.

Applications have been made for

Red Arrows, BBMF & Typhoon
Ultimate fighters
Swedish Air Force Historic Flight - Viggen, Draken and Lansen.
Swiss PC7
Foreign & UK based civilian jet teams.

https://news.causewaycoastcommunity.co.uk/dates-proposed-for-new-causeway-international-airshow/?fbclid=IwAR1vMm--JvdD6-fDVXpmCW1G8fdxms2RvK3ye_tJNpV0XsJv-OiXmt-z3tg

[Andy H]

Shame they can't get the f35.

By the sounds of it, they will be using the pits at the nw200.

I was hoping with the gap that they would bring something different, guess it's much of the same in previous years.

[jasT1981]

F35 would be good, however there is no F35 option on the 2022 display application form.

Reds, Typhoon, BBMF, Tutor & Falcons are the only ones on the application for displays. Chinook is on the JHC application and not the RAF one.

I do think there would be quite a bit of different displays there if they get those listed. Viggen hasn't been seen since 2015. Drakken & Lansen haven't been. Ultimate Fighters would be a cracking addition with 4 warbirds & the PC7 team haven't been before I don't think.

[Angry Turnip]

I always thought that display line would have been the best overall, but I can imagine the cries of " Get Off Those Rocks " . 

Not sure how much actual space there would be in that area due to the road, but it could work I suppose. Last time I saw a Draken was at Ards, many moons ago.

[rookie]

I'd say they could possibly close the coast road and have have barriers to keep people back away from the grassed area possibly.  In regards to aircraft line up its the usual RAF aircraft bar the retired ones , the BBMF might show but I doubt we'll get the Lancaster it'll prob be the spit hurricane and dakota which is good but I always love the lancaster. JHC aircraft would be nice to see with the chinook , black cats and the merlin (another favourite of mine)

[jasT1981]

Passed at their leisure and tourism council meeting, now will go to full council for approval next month.

Heafty proposed budget.

New Flightline approved, Moving to the A2 Coast road between Portrush and Portstewart.

Looks to celebrate the Queens platinum jubilee.

[Causeway74]

I see the usual suspects are giving out about this being a "military fest" and "very uncomfortable" for certain parts of the community. Really get sick of this nonsense after a while. The same people that preach openness and inclusion the rest of the week.

[Angry Turnip]

Well said, I was just reading about this myself, and sadly the gurning and hypocrisy match continues. 

No-one is forcing people to go to the airshow, so if you think it is offensive to you, then simply do not attend, and leave those who do like airshow`s that feature military aircraft to enjoy their hobby.

[jasT1981]

They are hiding it behind 'concerns over costs'

Hard truth for them is, the 'military fest' is what general airshow attendees go for. People want to see the Red Arrows and the Typhoon as to them, they are the 'heavy metal' to them. They want fast and loud jets

Portrush in the last few years became all about the props and family friendly aerobatics in Pitts Specials and Vans RV7s. Absolutely nothing wrong with those displays but the fact is, they don't bring the crowds in, as evident in the dwindling numbers to Portrush between 2016-2019.

The 'certain parts of the community' thing is just BS (sorry) In my experience running the AirshowsNI page, and the Newcastle FoF page over the last 6 years, there is no community divide over it and very few feel uncomfortable. In fact, I've only had ONE complaint about this in 6 years. The main complaints I actually get are more to do with animal welfare during the shows due to noise.

The vast majority support it and MANY from what they describe as 'certain parts of the community' actually love the show. 

Sad truth is, this political party who will remain nameless, just don't want anything that doesn't align to their side or viewpoint.

Sorry, rant over. 

[jasT1981]

Apologies if this is not appropriate for this thread. However, the 'Military fest' thing has been bugging me.

 As you know I run AirshowsNI and have been collecting listings from airshows throughout NI to compile a historical achieve..

I have gone back from the last Portrush Airshow in 2019 to 2011 and have counted the at the time current military and civilian displays to some interesting results. At only 15.2% of total flying displays being military that is FAR from a 'Military fest' any former military aircraft in civilian hands and not in active serice is counted as civilian

Of course, happy to be corrected but according to the listings I have via programmes, attending and threads on here as well as press releases over the years, In total it breaks down as

Active Military aircraft display percentage 15.2%
Civilian owned aircraft display percentage 84.8%

Portrush 2019
Total aircraft flying displays 14
Military 2 (RAF Tucano, Irish Air Corps Casa)
Civilian 12

Portrush 2018
Total Aircraft flying displays 11
Military 3
Civilian  8

Portrush 2017
Total Aircraft flying displays 14
Military  4
Civilian  10

Portrush 2016
Total Aircraft flying displays 13
Military 3
Civilian  10

Portrush 2015
Total Aircraft flying displays 16
Military  6
Civilian  10

Portrush 2014
Total Aircraft flying displays 16
Military 6*
Civilian  11*

* Note - BBMF Lancaster flew with a civilian owned Lancaster  hence the number discrepancy.

Portrush 2013
Total Aircraft flying displays 28
Military 3
Civilian  25

Portrush Airshow 2012
Total Aircraft flying displays 26
Military 4
Civilian  22

Portrush Airshow 2011
Total Aircraft flying displays 21
Military 6
Civilian  15

Total over last 10 years (2011-present day)

Total Aircraft flying displays 243
Military 37
Civilian  206
Active Military aircraft display percentage 15.2%
Civilian owned aircraft display percentage 84.8%

[Angry Turnip]

Do not let this get to you, sadly there has always been a small amount of people who object to military aircraft at airshows, and no matter what the actual facts are, they won`t listen.
The airshow at Salthill Galway got some negative press in this regard, at times.

Further more the IAC have supported the show at Portrush for many years, something that seems to have gone unnoticed by the councillor who complained under the pretence of being concerned about the cost.
He then went on to reveal his true reasons and it was notable that this person had failed to notice the economic benefit to the area, generated directly from the airshow.
I doubt very much this councillor has ever been to the airshow, and they obviously have not bothered to check what previous airshows at Portrush cost.
The councillor`s objections are obviously sectarian, and they are too spineless to admit it.

[rookie]

I saw an article earlier in regards to the Queens jubilee airshow it involves the SDLP and DUP at each other over it from what I can gather

[Angry Turnip]

I think all of us on here know what is behind the objections.

As this is a politically neutral forum, please make sure to keep all posts respectful.

[rookie]

To be honest I'm looking forward to refreshed display at Portrush. As already covered I'm in the category of looking forward to see the fast jets and military helos the crowd pleasers if you want to call them that. I have to be honest that as I said previously I stopped going to Portrush airshow as he found it was rather repetitive with mostly same aircraft appearing (although I do appreciate the planning involved and costs to put an airshow on) so it was around the same time me and my wife started to go to RAF Luechars for there's (if people want to call an airshow a military fest then this would be one) we used to arrive in Portrush on a Fri after work and stay right through to Sunday and I know a few others done the same and made a weekend of it helping pour some wanted money back into the local community with the use of the B&Bs bars and restaurants. They local leaders all need to wise up and understand the possible crowds at these things help bring the needed money for the local economy. I was staying in Portrush this year (and last) but we didn't stay in the town we spent one of the days in the jet centre as it was felt there was more to do for the kids. I felt the town was really quiet to and the same as last year anyone who was down seemed to be out surfing etc and avoided the town. So I'd like to see the Portrush airshow to return even if it is only every 2 years.

[jasT1981]

Portrush were unsucessful in the application for the Swiss PC7 team, their schedule came out today and they are in Spain that weekend.

[jasT1981]

A Cllr from a party who will remain un-named is outraged the budget for the Portrush airshow is £500,000

Either she is getting mixed up with the over-all events budget for 2022 or Portrush Airshow is in for one heck of a revival.

[jasT1981]

Red Arrows will display on the Saturday (10th) of the show.

[Angry Turnip]

Not wishing to rubbish your info, but they are displaying both days 10th and 11th according to their website, unless that has changed.


https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/displays/

[rookie]

Have we rough idea of a line up yet??

[Jimi182]

Not wishing to rubbish your info, but they are displaying both days 10th and 11th according to their website, unless that has changed.

It would appear it has changed and they're only doing the one day. Flyby at Great North Run on the Sunday. Pity as it was always great when they did both days, in case one day had better weather than the other.


https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/displays/

[Angry Turnip]

It does seem to have changed, originally they were doing Sat Sept 10th and Sun Sept 11th at Portrush.

Sun Sept 11th Great North Run, which is usually in the morning, and then Portrush in the afternoon. Oh well, better than nathin` 

I found this article about the show.....https://www.europeanairshows.co.uk/news/causeway-international-airshow-2022

[jasT1981]

I'm looking forward to getting up again No PC7 team but hopefully they get the Swedish Dakken and Viggen.

[TCX49]

BBMF confirmed for both days!

[jasT1981]

Both days? Schedule only says 10th

https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/displays/