Portrush Airshow - Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September 2024

[angry turnip]

To be honest I don't think too many of us are being critical of the organisers, they hopefully do their best with the limited budget they get.
However I feel they should push to get a bigger share of the budget, after all it is now called the NI International Airshow, after dropping the Airwaves name.

Two things stand out for me,the lack of different acts and aircraft,all too often it's the same things over and over,there seems to be a reluctance to seek out other options.

Second I think they need to look at having a shorter show,say 3 to 4 hrs per day,rather than dragging it out from 12 until almost 6pm. Hopefully that would mean less gaps between displays. Weather wise nothing can be done,we are at the mercy of the elements,so getting one decent day's weather out of the two is about the best anyone can hope for.

The organisers need to decide if they want to have a full blown airshow, or a family weekend event with an air display element to it.They are two different things.
Perhaps it would be worth changing the name to Portrush Family Weekend (featuring an air display and other fun activities), because that's really what it is, would it be better that the name should reflect that, or does the name not matter?

Personally speaking I don't think Portrush is suitable anymore as an airshow venue, as the CAA regulations have pushed the aircraft further out, especially for jets,the videos of the Typhoon and Vampire show the aircraft are fast moving specks.Comments on social media suggest that even Joe Public were very disappointed with how far away the aircraft where,and it's all a bit pointless.

I watched a few videos of the Ayr Airshow on youtube,display line there was miles out as well,which leads me to believe that almost all seaside shows are a waste of time.

[sneaky_nikon]

Portrush Family Weekend (featuring an air display and other fun activities), because that's really what it is.

That's really what 99% of 'airshows' are now. Only the relatively few enthusiasts shows buck the trend, and even there it's no longer all about the aircraft, RIAT has a 'STEM village'. 

[angry turnip]

Yeah, I don`t think it matters what they call it,just putting it out there to see what others thought,because some on social media have said Portrush is a half baked airshow.

As far as I`m concerned an airshow is only a proper airshow,if it`s at an airfield, you can keep your Wirly Gig Waltzers, Bouncy Castles, STEM Villages,Face Painting etc, I want to see/hear planes and helicopters, that`s all.

Oh and while I`m at it,(this applies to all airshows/displays) please put the speakers BEHIND the crowdline, not in front, blocking the view.

[JasonT1981]

Oh and while I`m at it, please put the speakers BEHIND the crowdline, not in front, blocking the view.

Oh no... Flashbacks to RIAT. They had the speakers right up front and the wires hanging between them causing everyone in the grandstands takeoff/landing/low pass photos to be ruined either by focusing on the wire instead of aircraft, or a big blurred blue line through an aircraft lol

[Jimi182]

1305

Bronco just popped up on FR24 over the Irish sea.

Heading home.

Also, PA474 BBMF Lancaster has just departed Prestwick, heading for home base - looks like they did a few approaches at Prestwick before finally heading south

[JasonT1981]

Hurricane didnt make it last week due to a rudder issue according to those at Duxford.