Modern versus Legacy Airshows

[No Joy]

Modern technology gives modern airshows an advantage.

However Legacy airshows had their own advantages. There generally were less rules and regulations. It was easier to get close to the action. It was easier to meet aviation celebrities. Readily available high octane fuel.

I would have loved to have seen this air show, atypical. Notice the reaction from the crowd as the B-58 does a flyby. Some aircraft even fire live ordnance.

Phenomenal Cold War Airshow.
U.S. Air Force at flight Congress
http://youtu.be/WmseXJ7DV4c

 

[Bob Noel]

um, what the heck are the differences between "modern" and "legacy" air shows?

 

[flyingron]

I'd have to ask the same question. I thought at first we were comparing an act like Sean Tucker vs. the Masters of Destruction, but we seem to be talking about airshow management.

I have to tell you if "getting close to the action" is your criteria, those days are gone. After a few incidents over the years, the FAA as gotten extremely conservative with crowd lines when issuing airshow waivers even for the prop drive acro. You throw one of the jet teams into the mix and it's scary.

 

[e.pie]

That was a different time for sure.

 

[oldShar]

Personal definitions?

 

[Silvaire]

Other than the B58....meh

 

[Velocity173]

Huge difference between now and then. No crowd line restrictions. No altitude restrictions. I've got footage off the T-Birds and the Blues doing crossovers right above people's heads. You'll never see that again. What's interesting is that besides Reno there have been very few spectator fatalities in the U.S.. There was no need to increase the separation.

As far as live ordnance this example was a special show on a range. This wasn't common for air shows even back then. Fire power demonsyrations can still be seen today if you are in the right time at the right place. Axalp Switzerland is a good air show / fire power demo. Tiger Cruises as well.

Another difference is the static displays. Nowadays (non sequester) they're pretty weak. Years ago you had a variety of jets on the ramp (A-7s, A-6s, F-14s, century jets, etc). Now everything is consolidated into a few airframes that perform multiple roles.

Oh yeah here's another difference. It's turned from a recruitment event to a money making venture. Even at military air fields you have huge stands hogging air show center that you have to pay for. Back in the old days a kid could show up when the gates open and beat the crowds to get a on the ropes, show center spot. Not anymore. The more money you have the better spot you can get for taking pictures.

 

[flyingron]

Never saw airborne live ordinance, but it was always great to see them firing off the ground based stuff at APG's Armed Forces Day event.

While we have had few spectator fatalities, we've had some near misses which were the driving force in a lot of the tightening. Hell we lost 30 feet of parking at Oshkosh because a DC-3 forgot to lock his tailwheel on takeoff and ended up in the ditch.
While it wasn't in the mainland US, the Frecci Tricolore took place on the US Base in Ramstein and killed 67 on the ground. 500 were hospitalized.