Avalon airshow 2011
 

I know this is way early to be asking questions regarding next years show but I've been cornered into going down and would like to do a little forward planning. I only have 2 questions for those who have been to past shows:

1) What time does the flying display normally finish on the Sunday?

2) Is there any transport available from Avalon to Tulla and, if so, what approx cost?


Thanks heaps.

Hi Greg,

Usually around 4pm 5pm at the latest.

There is no direct form of transport other then a cab from AVV to MEL but that would be very expensive. You could however get the train to Southern Cross station then the Skybus which runs express direct from Southern Cross to Melbourne Airport.

Unsure of the cost of the train ride but i think the Skybus ticket is around the $15 mark but i cant confirm that for sure.

Hi Greg,

skybus is $15 each way as Dan said..

during the show they have a fair few trains servicing the geelong railway line known as the V/Line which will go from southern cross station in melbourne cbd where the skybus drops you, to lara station near avalon airport , and then buses are provided during the airshow - at a cost around $10-15 i believe to get from lara station to the airport and back.

thats about it- give plenty of time, the show gets very busy and lines are long!

Hi Greg,

Where are you planning to stay?

JQ ops flights into AVV during the airshow, and QF normally ops a B747 on a Special Charter Flight ex SYD.

The A/C has been open to the public display before departing fro SYD around 4pm.

Stuart

That would be awesome. On a side note, approx how much is it for tickets to the airshow (I think you have to buy tickets....it sure would be embarrassing for me if you didn't)

Thanks for the replies folks. Stuart...I've already booked Jetstar flights down on the Sunday morning but have left the return open as the Jetstar flights leave a little early. Flights cost me $29 from Syd!!
As it happens I'll be down and back on the Sunday then back down again Monday morning to join a cruise out of Melbourne! Should be a fun week or so!

General admission tickets to the 2009 airshow were $50 per day.

Tiger gave me this 10% off link when they changed my flight, so you can get fly into AVV for the airshow for $26.06.

http://booking.tigerairways.com/skyl...?mode=SCH_CHGE

Hi...

Does anybody know how I could book two seats on the Qantas 747-400 charter flight to Avalon on Sat 5th March 2011 please?

Thanks,

Steve S

Don't think they did a charter last year. The A380 arrived but it wasn't a charter.
Keep a look out on their website but I have a feeling there will be no charter flight.

Hi All,

Also, I think the Charter 747 was only on Sunday for memory.

Stuart

Yes it was and yes it had Pax from Syd

Was the 747 opened to the public to fly in on it? Happy to be corrected but I don't think it was.

I was on it...Business Class...Very nice way to go to an Airshow.

The Qantas flight from SYD is usually only available to Qantas staff.

Thanks Adam. That's what I thought.

Please don't rely on a QF airplane being available for travel to Avalon, either as a staff member or as a member of the public via a Charity (ie Pathfinders).

Given the security requirements for passenger screening (which has to be done by hand thus a very long boarding time in the static display park) and the limited parking positions available to accommodate an A380 or B744 (thus necessarily blocking other display aircraft whilst boarding), it is likely to go empty based on issues over previous years.

These decisions are usually made very late depending on the commercial requirement close to the event and the ultimate availability of parking once all participants are confirmed.

Sorry to bring this back up, but I thought it best to keep new Avalon questions in the same thread...

I remember last year the display, which started in the afternoon, was almost entirely backlit with the spectators looking directly into the sun. Does anyone know of anywhere outside the airport where non-backlit photos can be taken? I will have a hire car so the distance isn't an issue.

Cheers,
Gareth

Hi Gareth,

You are a 100% with the sun from early arvo until dusk.

Guess we should be happy with a fine day!

I assume you may have to go to the northern end (across the Princes freeway though)
http://www.whereis.com/vic/avalon#session=MTU=

You would certainly see the big stuff from there. I wouldnt feel comfortable in telling you of other details. I have never came in from the west to the airshow, so I cant advise on this one.

I will be interested to hear of our friends who will have better knowledge on this than me.

All of the roads that I know of near Avalon on the these airshows days are "taken over" for traffic management.

I believe they in general are getting it better. It was a bit of a hassle to say the least a few years ago.

However this is conducive to "the show is over" we all want to go home at the same time. We arrive in dribs & drabs.....

The airshow is NOT the only venue to have this happen of course.

Here's hoping for a good day.

Enjoy!

Kind regards,

Geoff

The last time I went to the airshow, I had a car and found a great spot inline with the runway. You get some nice shots of the aircraft lining up and preparing for their flyby. I however did not get many shots as it was overcast and the police would not allow you to pull over to the side of the road. They would just drive up the road moving on any cars that would stop. Not sure
why, it was way out the way of traffic nothing but padocks about.

Gareth there is one great place where you can go,I used to live down that way so know all the in's and out's of that place,i'll pm you let you know the details...if anyone else wants to know location pm or e-mail me there is a limit though to number of people.There are a couple of reasons why,first is that i have to get permission from land owners first before that week and along with that they dont want to many people on there land,so have to respect there wishes they dont mind me bringing mates along [as i have done so in the past] as long as were not a disturbance.Please to others dont be upset that i havent informed everyone to the location i dont want to loose that spot,been there for the last 5 shows in the arvo and its been great.cops dont bother you at all.
Tony they set up no standing signs on the monday before the show starts on the tuesday if you can get there the weekend before the week of the show you get all the arrivals coming in which is great but as you know waiting around for them can get a bit tiresome.i know exactly the place your talking of and its a good spot,like i said its ok to park there until that monday when the signs go up,basicly the reason they put the signs up,and to quote a local copper"they dont want people pulling over on side of road making a disturbance and create traffic chaos".hope this is some assistance to you all...

Thanks for the info Jaryd. Agreed, It would be chaos if everyone decided to park there. Anyway looking forward to a good show. Hope the A400 and 787 make a visit.

I KNEW, someone would have the info.

Good stuff Jaryd.

I hope Gareth F has had a chance to catch up with you (via pm)

Tony G, I agree with you too! All of your post.. You enjoy also.

Kind regards,

Geoff

Aircraft scheduled to be part
of the 2011 Avalon Airshow

It is anticipated that the following aircraft will be at Avalon for the Australian International Airshow, 1-6 March, 2011. (All military aircraft are subject to final confirmation and change at any time.) This is a preliminary list and subject to variation.

Australian Defence Force
RAAF
F/A 18 Classic
F/A 18F Rhino (Total of 11 F/A 18’s to attend)
BAe Hawk 127
Lockheed Orion AP-3C
Beechcraft Super King Air
KC-30A (Subject to confirmation)
Roulettes
C-130H
C-130J
PC-9 FAC
C-17
Boeing 737 Wedgetail
Boeing 737 BBJ
Bombardier Challenger 604



RAN
Grumman Tracker
UH1-B
AS350A Squirrel
Sikorsky Seahawk



ARMY
ARH Tiger
Sikorsky Black Hawk
Bell Kiowa
Red Beret Parachute Team
MRH-90



Foreign Military Aircraft
US Military
F-16
F-22
B-2 Spirit
KC-135
C5A
KC-30A (Subject to confirmation)
C-17
B-1
CH-47F
MH-60R
T-6 Texan



RAF
E3-D



RNZAF
B-75



Republic of Singapore
F-16 x 2
PC-12
Super Puma



Warbirds and other Ex Military Aircraft
US Military
Spitfire Mk VIII
Lockhead Hudson
Gloster Meteor
CAC Sabre
Lockheed Neptune
C-47
MB 326-H Macchi
Consolidated Catalina
Sopwith Pup
CT4A
CAC Winjeel
Mirage
P-51 Mustang
C-47 Spooky
Stinson Gullwing
P-40 Kittyhawk
DH-82



Other Aircraft/Displays including Aircraft from General Aviation Associations
DC-4
Lockheed L1049 Constellation
DH Drover
L-39 Albatross
Southern Knights Aerobatic Team (4 x T-6 Havards)



Professional Performers
Matt Hall – Giles 202
Bob Carlton – Super Salto Jet Sailplane
Nikolay Timofeev – Su-26
Kent Pietsh – Interstate Cadet + Vehicle



Associations
Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia
Recreation Aviation Australia
Sports Aircraft Association of Australia
Australian Aerobatic Club (VIC)
Australian Bonanza Society
Australian Piper Society
Australian Sport Rotorcraft Association
Balloon Association of Victoria
Gliding Federation of Australia
Geelong Sports Aviators
Hang Gliding Federation of Australia
Mission Aviation Fellowship and Australia
Salvation Army – Flying Padre and Outback Services
Sea Planes Pilots Association
Vietnam Veterans Museum



Commercial Aircraft
Gippsland Aeronautics GA8
Socata Liberty
Britten-Norman Islander
Piaggio
Dassault Falcon 2000XL
Daher Socata TBM 850
Eurocopter EC120
Gulfstream G450
Gulfstream G150
Dassault Falcon 7X
Dassault Falcon 2000LX
Learjet 60
Alpi Pioneer 300
A-Viator
P68R
P68C
Yak 52
P-750 XSTOL
Agusta Westland A119 Koala
Agusta A109 Power
Agusta A190S Grand (Heliflite)
Hawker Pacific Premier 1A
Hawker Pacific 900XP
Jabiru 230
P2002 Sierra
P92 Echo
Diamond DA40
Diamond DA42
Hawker Pacific Beechcraft Baron G58
Hawker Pacific King Air 350
Bell 429
Raytheon Learjet 35
Raytheon T-6A
Pilatus PC12
Cessna 400
Robinson R66
Robinson R22
Robinson R44
Aquila A210
Seabird Seeker
Auster
Storch




Notes:
i. Aircraft attending are subject to operational requirements and weather
ii. Not all aircraft will participate in the flying displays. Some aircraft will be on static display only
iii. Not all aircraft will be in attendance on all days
iv. Flying display program not yet available

Nice Line up. Im happy with that. F-22 and B2 would be nice to see.

You can take the DC-4 out of the list...

F-22, B-2, I'll believe it when I see it. And who has done up the Mirage? I know there's one being rebuilt in Victoria I think, is this the one? The organizers could throw a QF 744 in the middle of that paddock and call it an airshow, so not getting my hopes up just yet of seeing something new...

Is the Tracker Airworthy? I know it was doing taxi tests but I'll doubt it will be flying to Avalon.

I think I mentioned two years ago,if the F-22 or B-2 turn up, I'll do a nudie run.

Chris may need more than 600mm to shoot that :D

But yes, I won't be getting my hopes up for seeing the B2 and F22

I'm trying to work out why Chris would want a close up of that in the first place.....

For the board members travelling down there, what are your plans? Are you going for a couple of days or just one day? It is a shame Jetstar have less flights to/from AVV from SYD -they had 6 flights for the last show, now it is tree.

Avalon will be home from the feb 1st till feb 6th.Looking forward to catching up with faces down there.Just come and see me at the keyhole and say hi.Have seen many board members down here during the show over many years.

Not sure how many people would be keen just to see you Ray in an empty keyhole one month out from the show!:)

Am wondering the same thing - their timings don't look like they make it worth going down for one day, but that's about all I can fit in. Tiger's timings are no better :|

Dan

Hi Ray

Don't you mean 1 March to 6 March NOT 1 February to 6 February which is barely two weeks away ?

yes i do.It was late

Raymond,

I reckon, you are JUST keen!

Enjoy.

Kind regards,

Geoff

I am unsure if this is acceptable! Mods please feel free to delete at your discretion.

There is NO nastiness in this IN ANYWAY.

Dan, I struggle to see how you could rely on Tiger given my recent observations of their schedules, they I believe have had a really bad time in keeping arrivals and departures on time by some hours at times.

Kind regards,

Geoff

Oh no, Geoff you misunderstand. I was only considering Jetstar for flights, and merely noted that Tiger's timings were no good. I wouldn't have entertained the option, but thought I'd have a look anyway.

Are you heading down for Avalon - how will you be doing it if so?

Dan

Sorry Dan,

I think I did misunderstand.

I wasnt having a heavy go at Tiger either, (it of course could happen with any carrier) but if it eventuated you went that way and you lost some hours, that would be a shame.

As for me, I live in YMML, I normally (transport) and go with a group of 4/5 depending on their work opportunities, this year there are two of us.

We normally buy a gold pass for the Friday, us two have done this again this year.

Even my wife cant get the day off this time! She seriously loves the day.... She has only missed one other. As then I was in hospital for SO long, (crashed up pelvis) I burnt her leave up.


Dan,

Truly hope all works well for you and you have a great time and WE all get to have a great time.

Kind regards,

Geoff