Being a self-proclaimed lover of all things aviation you would think that I would have been to loads of air shows. Well that is not the case, much to my disappointment. So when the Farnborough International Air Show rolled around and I was able to go, I jumped at the chance. I made the journey down to London where I met up with two of my friends and the next day on Saturday 24th July we set off to the first public day of the show. The last air show I attended must have been at least 8-9 years ago so I was very excited to be going to the Farnborough Air Show of all places. We recorded audio and took pictures, and I have put together this commentary on the day’s events.
The Farnborough International Air Show has been taking place since 1945; today it has grown to be the biggest air show in the world. The whole event lasts for an entire week, Monday to Friday being the trade show days where thousands from the aerospace industry descend to announce new products, generate orders and demonstrate equipment.
Based at a former RAF base the now privately owned airport covers an area of 581 acers, plenty of space for hundreds of static aircraft displays. As a result of its RAF past the 8,000 ft runway is long enough for almost anything. This year’s show was very important, with the aerospace sector looking like its beginning to make a recovery from the effects of the global credit crisis, the deals done, or deals not done will give an indication of the current state of the industry.
Finance and economics aside, Saturday and Sunday are the public open days of the air show. On these days there is an extended flying display, this year it was from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. Most of the aircraft stay throughout the whole week, although notable absences were, 787-8 Dreamliner, A400M Grizzly and F-22 Raptor. The former two were in the middle of a busy flight testing programme and so could not spare the extra time, but that did not dampen the crowds’ spirits as there were still many aircraft flying over the weekend.
A packed out day at the airshow
The static displays must not be overlooked here also. It was great to get so close to a lot of aircraft, all of which had been spit shined and were looking good .
Pilatus PC-21 demonstrator
Crowds line up to get up close to the American firepower
Having had a good peruse of the static aircraft, we saw the not so subtle sight of the A380 being pushed onto the active part of the airfield in preparation to start the flying display today.
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So making our way back down alongside the runway, passing the USAF stand, we settled at a spot in front of a Lockheed Martin N30LX with a great view of the runway and ready for the main event. Looking out onto the runway at the A380 now sitting on idle at the top of the runway barley 100m away, everybody was poised. A380 (1:48)
A380 Lands
Turboprop’s Gone Mad!
Two heavy lift turboprop aircraft were “performing” today, and with the A400M hogging all the headlines recently with its crazy stunts, these established aircraft were determined to put on a show and prove a point. First up early in the day was the C-27J Spartan, having taxied past the halfway point of the runway, it first backs up using reverse thrust from its propellers before moments later it was full power on and up. In a performance full of seemingly impossible manoeuvres for this aircraft, it even treated us to some inverted tricks.
C27J Spartan
Not one to be left out of the fun, the C-130J Hercules lined up quite far down the runway in preparation for what would be an extremely short take off. C27J (1:25)
A little bit of History
There was a strong showing of historic aircraft at the air show and not only what you would expect, a few, more recent historic pieces were on flying duties too.
Royal Navy Sea Hawk
Helicopter Haulage
The CH-47 Chinook gave a very entertaining show. Looking in the opposite direction I begin to hear the distinctive noise of the Chinook. This was a sound which I recognised well, having had the opportunity to fly in the back of one for a couple of hours. Chinook (00:38)
RAF Chinook
So coming from the left side of the runway and carrying a jeep slung from below, it landed briefly to un-hook the vehicle from its harness. Now a few tonnes lighter the Chinook takes off very quickly and pulls some passing manoeuvres along the runway. It then lands again on the runway, opens its rear cargo door and lets out another jeep, which then promptly drives away. So now even lighter, the pilot proceeds to do some banking turns and flat spins in front of the crowd. The helicopter then comes to a hover above the runway at around 30m. A rope suddenly drops from the side door and 5-6 troops abseil down, at which point the two jeeps are back to pick up the soldiers and the CH-47 flies away. This must have been the equivalent to the “how many clowns in a car” joke, but for a helicopter! Everyone knows that the Chinook is an extremely capable helicopter, but that display certainly highlighted that fact.
Blink and you’ll miss it, probably still hear it though
For me the fast jets were the highlight of the show, just the noise alone was incredible. The F-16, F/A-18 and Eurofighter Typhoon really stood out. The F-16 was easily the loudest of the three, when it took off the sound was piercing, and then moments after it had passed our position a second wave of noise hit us. I could feel the rumble of the re-heat as each of the three aircraft took off. I’ll let the audio do the talking.
F16 (2:59)
F18 (3:36)
Eurofighter (2:50)
Extra Please
Painted in a fiery red motif the Extra 330SC took off to give a dazzling performance. This version designed for unlimited category aerobatics is the composite model, making the airframe very light, so coupled with a powerful engine it could just about hang on its propeller vertically. As if suspended from wires it tipped its wing and seemingly tumbled uncontrollably through the air.
Straight as an Arrow
It is in British law that the Red Arrows must perform at any UK air show. If this is in fact not law then,
1) I am outraged.
2) It should be written into stone immediately.
The 2010 year for the Red Arrows was a special one, welcoming their first female pilot in 45 years. Performing their famous routines of tight formation flying and spectacular near-miss passes, a familiar sight to many in the UK perhaps, but it never gets boring.
The Red Arrows
Crosscheck, prepare for departure
Well I had a great day at Farnborough 2010, my first Farnborough and my first air show in years. I’m going to be a regular now, on the list next are Oshkosh and Paris 2011.
The flying was top class, being so close to the runway added an extra unforgettable element to it all. Take a look at the gallery for a selection of our best photos (we had taken 880) from the day.
Big thanks my friends Bhav for driving us and Bobbly our show photographer coming all the way from France. Farnborough done, next Le Bourget. Thanks for reading.
- Gallery
Cool post, almost felt like I was there. Will have to get to some airshows over here in the States at some point, Pete