Airshow complaints (obstructed views and loud music)

[Bastian74]

The "premium sound" speakers actually obstructed quite a bit of my view, but more than that the licensed music they played makes it almost impossible to post any clips on youtube without their licensed music detection system flagging your video. At best you're stuck with advertising on your video and at worst it will not be view-able at all. Ideally, they would have used royalty free music and place the speakers behind the audience not directly in front of them.

The next annoyance is the fact that they park half the show planes right in the front center. What's the point of that? I can imagine someone thinking it would be cool to "showcase" the planes, but really it just obstructs the view of almost every takeoff/landing depending on if you're north or south of those planes sitting on the ground.

[Bastian74]

http://youtu.be/NNNwx-D9Mf8
Case in point... :/

[martymayes]

Next yr Ty Pennington is going to park his bus there.....

[Brian247028]

We didn't view any of the airshows but in watching the video above I have to agree with why park the planes in front of the flightline. Do they always do this?

[rickatic]

http://youtu.be/NNNwx-D9Mf8
Case in point... :/

I could not agree more...when the Rimowa tri-motor and Duggie are parked on the ramp the view is quite obstructed...

Regards

[Kyle Boatright]

At the annual member's meeting yesterday, they announced a new e-mail address:

feedback@eaa.org

Rod claimed that he and the directors would read each message.

Give it a test.

By the way, at least two individuals spoke up during the member's meeting to point out the problems with the new sound system (too loud if you're near the speakers and it obstructs vision)

[martymayes]

At the annual member's meeting yesterday, they announced a new e-mail address:

feedback@eaa.org

Rod claimed that he and the directors would read each message.

Give it a test.



Is the feedback address only for Airventure related concerns?

[Kyle Boatright]

Is the feedback address only for Airventure related concerns?

Nope. It was offered as a feedback mechanism for any concern.

[Inspector Fenwick]

Speaking of the sound system (and feedback), I believe it was Wednesday night (possibly Thursday) where there was a pronounced AC hum coming out of the speakers in the Vintage area (and I assume everywhere else). While I was horizontal on my cot, googling for a phone number to call....you could hear someone moving a mike, then the hum stopped (you could hear cheers up and down the line)....then it started again. This went back and forth for a few minutes and finally someone must have gotten the idea that a blast from a 12 guage shotgun will take care of the problem. This was AFTER 10p, and was continuous since the end of "normal broadcasting" after the airshow. Boo Hissssssssssssss.

[mcmurphy]

I thought that the Saturday night airshow was a little disappointing. First: the Canadian skydive team departed the jump plane behind the flight line. You have all of the crowd facing to the east and they jump out behind you. It might very well have been because of winds aloft, but it wasn't very comfortable or easy to see the great formation flying they were doing because they were straight above you. They would have been much easier to see if they had been out in front of us. Second: The AeroShell T6 team put on a wonderful aerial performance but why was their "stand on one brake and spin in a cloud of smoke" after landing cut to just one turn? Last year they did three or four spins and the sound and lights flashing amid the smoke was awesome. Third: no one seemed to know what was going on with jet trucks. The announcers had everyone in the audience flashing their cell phones towards the sky to "confuse the satellites" when the truck took off triggering the wall of fire. Then moments later the second truck made it's run without any comment from the announcer. Finally we heard plenty of ads for all of the sponsors but no thanks or mention of the members of the EAA who are the basis for all this in the first place.

[Treetop_Flyer]

Speaking of the sound system (and feedback), I believe it was Wednesday night (possibly Thursday) where there was a pronounced AC hum coming out of the speakers in the Vintage area (and I assume everywhere else).

Yeah, that happened on Thursday night and it was pretty nasty. Luckily we were sitting up til midnight with adult beverages so by the time we went to bed it was done.

[rosiejerryrosie]

Ya' all are missing the best fly in on the east coast every Father's Day weekend for the last 23 years at Shreeveport North (62PA). All you can eat Prime Rib on Friday and all day picnic on Saturday (Prime Rib - $25.00 and picnic $15) Camping is $15 per night and bunkhouse is $25 per night. 2600 foot lighted grass strip and Olympic size swimming pool free to all attendees. Water is only $1.00 a bottle unless you want to walk down to the restaurant where is is free.... Not crowded and no airplanes parked in your way... (average 150 on the ground at any one time with lots of arrivals and departures). See you all next year.
:cool:

[martymayes]

Ya' all are missing the best fly in on the east coast every Father's Day weekend for the last 23 years at Shreeveport North (62PA).:cool:


:confused: Okay, so how about a sub forum where we can list fly ins other than AV?


I'm thinking 3-4 smaller fly ins a yr might be a good alternative......so keep em coming.

[Bastian74]

The other thing I noticed, when I went to take a panorama from a Nikon photo platform, there was nothing worth taking a panorama of. I could see probably 5 airplanes and a bunch of buildings / temporary structures in the way of everything. I'd love to see an areal photo from this year just to see how many planes actually showed up.

[Treetop_Flyer]

The other thing I noticed, when I went to take a panorama from a Nikon photo platform, there was nothing worth taking a panorama of. I could see probably 5 airplanes and a bunch of buildings / temporary structures in the way of everything. I'd love to see an areal photo from this year just to see how many planes actually showed up.

Come hang out in Vintage around Row 75...the view/panorama was great down there. I had a prime airshow seat under the wing of my Tri-Pacer.

[Paul Chandler]

Those new speakers were not a great idea - far too loud if sat anywhere near them and just too big. Excessive use of smoke during the flying displays reducing visibilty for the crowds and probably the pilots as well (potential safety issue) Smoke often drifted across onto the crowd as well which is not pleasant. Over the past couple of years I have really enjoyed the night airshow but this year the line up was weak especially after the withdrawal of the jet sailplane (also no Beech 18 which is always a great display) Increasing costs on getting to the show are also a concern - airtravel from the UK is not cheap these days and even basic motel accommodation is nothing short of extortion.

[McGyver]

:thumbsup:
Speaking of the sound system (and feedback), I believe it was Wednesday night (possibly Thursday) where there was a pronounced AC hum coming out of the speakers in the Vintage area (and I assume everywhere else). While I was horizontal on my cot, googling for a phone number to call....you could hear someone moving a mike, then the hum stopped (you could hear cheers up and down the line)....then it started again. This went back and forth for a few minutes and finally someone must have gotten the idea that a blast from a 12 guage shotgun will take care of the problem. This was AFTER 10p, and was continuous since the end of "normal broadcasting" after the airshow. Boo Hissssssssssssss.

Larry, all... it was Thursday evening... and the problem was with a piece of audio distribution equipment that decided to malfunction late after the air show. As with everything else, we try to resolve a sittuation as quickly as we can once we are made aware of it. I was able to bypass the offending gear once I knew what it was (that's why it stopped, then started... then stopped again). FYI, the main P.A. system is left powered on all night intentionally in case any emergency messages need to be announced. We would only turn it off during electrical storms where lightning is a possibility, but generally that is done after an emergency message is announced. Then the system is back on again as soon as the storm clears. We do try to be as ready as possible for all contingencies. The faulty equipment, BTW is being repaired and will probably be upgraded and replaced.

IF you happen to experience any other problems or just need information at Airventure, let me share this number with you all... it is 920-230-7800... it's a direct line to EAA's Comm Center located at Air Show Center... we are staffed 24 hours during Airventure. If we can't help you chances are we can find somebody else who can!

Let me apologize for the nuisance you had to endure that Thursday evening and please let me reassure you that when things do go wrong, we make every effort to correct them as soon as is humanly possible.

Again, the number at the Comm Center is 920-230-7800
Hope to see you return to Airventure for many years to come!

Respectfully,

Larry Mackowiak, AKA Green 5,
callsign:"McGyver"
EAA Comm Center
The "Green Gang"

[FlyingRon]

Because in previous years their stupid burnout made so much smoke that it was impossible to see the subsequent acts.

[Larry Lyons]

Well everyone has their preference but we like row 90 plus or minus a few. Just south of the speakers (quiet), no planes parked in front, smaller crowd, and close to the run up and take off for 36, and the landings also happen right in front of us. We mainly like the lack of the loud speakers blasting us for the entire week. L

[malexander]

Well everyone has their preference but we like row 90 plus or minus a few. Just south of the speakers (quiet), no planes parked in front, smaller crowd, and close to the run up and take off for 36, and the landings also happen right in front of us. We mainly like the lack of the loud speakers blasting us for the entire week. L

Sort of what I been thinking. I figured there were other areas to watch from.
Personally, I don't watch the airshow. After one or two acts, they're all pretty much the same thing. It's a good time to "shop" the vendors....................and people watch.
It's amazing, and amusing, how much crap people can and will carry around.

[stummers]

We sat in the grass next to the Aerobatic building each day and had a great view of the show.

[AMundt]

the Canadian skydive team departed the jump plane behind the flight line. You have all of the crowd facing to the east and they jump out behind you. It might very well have been because of winds aloft, but it wasn't very comfortable or easy to see the great formation flying they were doing because they were straight above you. They would have been much easier to see if they had been out in front of us.

I agreed with that. They were doing amazing stuff but you couldn't see it because they came out way behind the crowd and you were looking into the sun from where i was just trying to see them... Poorly set up. It might have been the wind but in the future, I hope there is a way to avoid that and give the crowd a better view

[Larry Lyons]

Come on you guys, your supposed to be pilots. Do you allow for the wind during flight planing, does that chutest have power for a go around if he is short? You always have to jump up wind of the intended landing zone. (That is a given, like you will descend once you are out of the plane) While aloft the first thing you do is watch your progress across the ground so you can allow for the wind during the rest of the decent. I will allow that with the square chutes it is a lot easier then in the old days but you still have keep in mind, your speed under canopy is only about 15 mph max. If the winds aloft are 10 you only have walking speed up wind so you must stay sharp to guarantee that you land where intended. Those impressive speeds you see on landing are called a swoop, and only last a few seconds as the energy developed in the hard turn is dissipated.
Larry