Anybody heading along this year? I tend to go most years and it's always a cracking weekend. It's the 25th anniversary this year.

http://www.sunderlandlive.co.uk/events/s...nniversary

It's also confirmed that the Red Arrows will kick things off on the Friday evening.

(06 May 2013, 2:13 pm)aureolin wrote Anybody heading along this year? I tend to go most years and it's always a cracking weekend. It's the 25th anniversary this year.

http://www.sunderlandlive.co.uk/events/s...nniversary

It's also confirmed that the Red Arrows will kick things off on the Friday evening.

I was there last year with my friends and I really enjoyed it. I think it was the Saturday we went and it was absolutely boiling! The only bad part of the day was having to stand on a cramped Metro there and back where everyone was squashed together like sardines. With it being hot as well, you can imagine how everyone was complaining of feeling ill and slightly faint.

I'll probably be going again this year. It is certainly a great experience. There's activities and stalls and other things there for everyone of all ages.

I love the airshow! In the past, I've gone on both days. One day with family, and the other with friends. I've never been as an enthusiast before; nor have I noticed any bus enthusiasts taking photos (I must be blind!). Do hope to include a few photos in this year though - if I can get there early enough so as to avoid masses of people getting in-shot.
I think last year the airshow collided with the North Tyneside Music event hosted on the big field next to South Shields beach, so I may have only gone the once last year. Really can't remember if that was the reason, but something happened for me to only go the once then.

(06 May 2013, 2:23 pm)Adam wrote I was there last year with my friends and I really enjoyed it. I think it was the Saturday we went and it was absolutely boiling! The only bad part of the day was having to stand on a cramped Metro there and back where everyone was squashed together like sardines. With it being hot as well, you can imagine how everyone was complaining of feeling ill and slightly faint.

I'll probably be going again this year. It is certainly a great experience. There's activities and stalls and other things there for everyone of all ages.

If you've got a regular bus in to Sunderland Interchange, the A1 that Go North East run is excellent. I tend to use that or the A2 direct from Washington.

(06 May 2013, 4:40 pm)Daniel wrote I love the airshow! In the past, I've gone on both days. One day with family, and the other with friends. I've never been as an enthusiast before; nor have I noticed any bus enthusiasts taking photos (I must be blind!). Do hope to include a few photos in this year though - if I can get there early enough so as to avoid masses of people getting in-shot.
I think last year the airshow collided with the North Tyneside Music event hosted on the big field next to South Shields beach, so I may have only gone the once last year. Really can't remember if that was the reason, but something happened for me to only go the once then.

I've never taken any photos at the airshow before, but I'm going to try this year, now that I've got a 55-300mm Nikon lens for my DSLR. I was planning on heading out for the Friday night and the Sunday, but I'll probably end up doing the Saturday too.

(06 May 2013, 5:59 pm)aureolin wrote

(06 May 2013, 2:23 pm)Adam wrote I was there last year with my friends and I really enjoyed it. I think it was the Saturday we went and it was absolutely boiling! The only bad part of the day was having to stand on a cramped Metro there and back where everyone was squashed together like sardines. With it being hot as well, you can imagine how everyone was complaining of feeling ill and slightly faint.

I'll probably be going again this year. It is certainly a great experience. There's activities and stalls and other things there for everyone of all ages.

If you've got a regular bus in to Sunderland Interchange, the A1 that Go North East run is excellent. I tend to use that or the A2 direct from Washington.

We only took the Metro last year to take advantage of our Pop cards. I think this year though we'll probably get the A2 as our U16 Pop cards have now expired. It's also a simple 10 minute ride from Wrekenton to Washington.

Sunderland Council have announced 'VIP' packages for the Air Show. Can be found here - http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8260 I think I'm gonna just get the £10 package to get a good camera angle

One thing I thought would be extremely cool would be if 20 of us put £5 in. We could purchase the £100 deal on behalf of North East Buses. It'd get a logo + URL displayed on the big screen for the full weekend - and lets face it. Plenty of footfall and enthusiasts there!

(26 Jun 2013, 6:46 pm)aureolin wrote Sunderland Council have announced 'VIP' packages for the Air Show. Can be found here - http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=8260. I think I'm gonna just get the £10 package to get a good camera angle

One thing I thought would be extremely cool would be if 20 of us put £5 in. We could purchase the £100 deal on behalf of North East Buses. It'd get a logo + URL displayed on the big screen for the full weekend - and lets face it. Plenty of footfall and enthusiasts there!

Who would be the 'representative' though? I like the perk of having toilet access - well worth the hundred quid alone

Best way to do it is give everyone a couple numbers each, and whoever's number is drawn as the bonus ball on the lottery that week gets to go.

That seems like a good idea.

Having seen the Lancaster and Spitfires in a display already this year as well as the Spits and the Typhoons practicing - they're a pretty awesome sight.

Hopefully the weather will be good

The Friday night and Saturday daytime videos are now available to watch on Youtube. Sunday will follow tomorrow evening.

Friday night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtMi9_-F9HY

Saturday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDYbnlxgsIY

Finally, if anybody was wanting to go tot he airshow but can't there will be a live stream available at http://www.planestv.com/live tomorrow from 12:00 on the dot. The Reds, sadly, won't be displaying tomorrow, however, in their place we will see the amazing Avro Vulcan which has not been confirmed as recovering at Newcastle Airport so it looks likes anyone North of Sunderland won't see it transiting.

Not being a major plane enthusiast or anything (I'm trying!), I have no idea of what's what really, but it's somewhat of a tradition to go to the annual airshow for me - be it with friends or with family.
I know the red arrows really are the highlight for me every year though, and I imagine this would be so for many others there too. The crowd favourite amongst non-enthusiasts, I'd say. For the enthusiasts, I know that the massive one (featured in the paper yesterday iirc) was a real pleaser.

Thanks for sharing anyway. I'm sure a few of us will be chickening out today, what with the bad weather and all! I hope to get there at around 1700 after the concert in South Shields today for one or two more photos of the buses.

I've taken a few photographs, but they're really not anything professional. I discovered that my camera really wasn't particularly great at 40x zoom as it is when barely zoomed in at all. I'll share when I have them on Flickr though!

Sunday's coverage is now available by clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DdP00P0Feg

*mods, is it worth merging the two Sunderland Airshow threads into one?

On a different note, I have been back down in Lincs this week and have seen the BBMF display team practicing their moves and putting the aircraft through their paces.

Over the last few days, the Lanc, Dakota, Hurricanes and Spits have been out
Very impressive.

I don't believe they are at Sunderland this year, but worth checking out elsewhere.

(10 Apr 2014, 4:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote *mods, is it worth merging the two Sunderland Airshow threads into one?

Done.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-12901898

Air show to start charging an entry fee?

(17 Apr 2017, 7:45 am)Andreos1 wrote http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-12901898

Air show to start charging an entry fee?

I wouldn't pay

(17 Apr 2017, 7:45 am)Andreos1 wrote http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-12901898

Air show to start charging an entry fee?

I'll start by saying that I wouldn't have a problem with paying £1/£2 entry fee, but I think anything beyond that could price some families out of it. I think its important that the charge only applies to adults too.

It wasn't so long ago that Cllr Paul Watson was saying the air show generates £12 million extra trade, over the three days it is on. Baring that in mind, it costs the council a net loss of £119,000, then I can't see the problem with it.

(17 Apr 2017, 2:08 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I wouldn't pay

How come? You have more of an interest in planes than most on here I'd say, so I'd be interested why it puts you off?

(17 Apr 2017, 2:08 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I wouldn't pay

(17 Apr 2017, 2:56 pm)Adrian wrote I'll start by saying that I wouldn't have a problem with paying £1/£2 entry fee, but I think anything beyond that could price some families out of it. I think its important that the charge only applies to adults too.

It wasn't so long ago that Cllr Paul Watson was saying the air show generates £12 million extra trade, over the three days it is on. Baring that in mind, it costs the council a net loss of £119,000, then I can't see the problem with it.


How come? You have more of an interest in planes than most on here I'd say, so I'd be interested why it puts you off?

Does that £12m go direct to the council, or does it go to bus operators, security firms, traffic management organisations etc. Obviously depending on where these firms and their staff are based, it may not have the trickle through benefits to the local economy.

I have a feeling any charges would have a potential negative effect on audiences.
There's many vantage points away from the front at Seaburn, where people could go and watch the display.
However, maybe a tiered pricing system would enable pricing to work - without it having too much of an impact on crowds. Vantage points with the best views (and facilities) could attract a premium, with other locations on the front being free.

(17 Apr 2017, 2:56 pm)Adrian wrote How come? You have more of an interest in planes than most on here I'd say, so I'd be interested why it puts you off?

Because of the quality, the views and the accessibility and practicality.

For example, Farnborough (where you have to pay) you get grandstand style seats and stands to view from. There is MUCH more going on the ground than at Sunderland. The quality of what comes and the diversity is not as good. It is arguably less accessible and I don't think that paying could be easily enforced since you can see the displays from a long way away unlike Farnborough where it is really contained to the airfield.

I disagree. Part of the whole airshow is the experience going to Sunderland and nearby locations for the day, enjoying the events put on (which I personally think there is a fair amount of - especially at Seaburn). A small admission fee for this would be good for supporting the event and making sure it continues to happen in the future.