[Dataroots]

Hi all (Sorry, bit of a long message this one)

On the U.K. fly-in calendar I was reminded that on Sept 6th we're all due to join/participate in the UK Fly-In airshow. Worst still I saw that I was organising it! I thought I'd better post something then eh.

The actual Leuchars Air Show (the premier airshow in Scotland) is the following weekend (13th Sept) but, as I hope to be actually there, the virtual Fly-in has been brought forward a week, much to delight of Amerrir who wants to fly the Spit. Nothing new there then.

As we havn't a hope of recreating or simulating the actual types at the airshow I thought we'd have the theme of 90 years of the RAF, as it is the 90th anniversary this year. This gives us carte blanche to choose any RAF aircraft (any period, light and heavy types, choppers etc) that exist in the DM and for which (importantly) we have a CSL. This restricts us a bit, but not too much. I also thought I may stay grounded (aaahhhh!) and control the airshow itself - not, I hasten to add, as full ATC, as I wouldn't have a clue what I was doing and would end up looking a right pratt - nothing new there then. I'll certainly (through ivao) try and co-ordinate engine starts, taxi to runway, take off, display, landing and taxi back to stand and I'll do my utmost to ensure that, for instance, an aircraft taking off for its display clears before starting its display to allow the previous display aircraft to land. My early ideas are for 15 minute display slots starting at 3.30 pm and running through to 6 p.m. This would give us 10 slots. If we need more we can carry on beyond 6 p.m. or start earlier at 3 p.m (giving us an extra 2 slots). Most aircraft in the display can park at Leuchars and the runway is long enough to take all types but, to enable the 'slickest' display possible, those piloting aircraft in the display will have to be in their aircraft on time and watching ivao for instructions to start up, taxi, take off etc. It's possible that some display aicraft may have to be parked at a different local field, fly in for their display and then fly back to the outside field without landing at Leuchars, but I can't see why (possibly the BOB Historic Flight might have to do this - Lanc, Spit, Hurr). This will avoid mid-air collisions and ploughing into the crowd, not acceptable in the RAF apparently. Nothing new there then. Tonka has promised to remove the line of Tornados on their stands in front of the main hangers, coz this is where the virtual spectators are. Nath - you up for this?

I'm not going to organise what each individual display will consist of (i.e. manoueveres etc). This will be up to the pilots taking part but all manouevres must all be within the 15 minute display slot. I'll be calling you in when you like it or not!

So this just leaves us to choose the aircraft types and the pilots to fly 'em. Early ideas are below but I'm completely open to suggestions from all.

BOB Historic Display - Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane. Several passes together, individual fly pasts by Lanc, then Spit and Hurricane, final flypast together. Whoever the pilots are for this they'd better get practising wing-tip flying together!

Solo Tornado, Eurofighter, Hunter, Lightning, Vampire, Canberra, Vixen, Gnat, Hawk or other fighter/trainer types (WWII and WWI included?).

Solo Vulcan, Victor, Valiant bombers.

Solo RAF transports - Argosy, VC10, Andover.

RAF helicopter types - Sea King, Chinook, Wessex etc etc.

These are just early suggestions and we'll go with the types that you want to fly and display. Basically I need you all to choose your aircraft (and obviously be willing to pilot it) and some idea whether you can make it for 3.30 up to 6 pm or beyond. Bear in mind that all a/c will need to be at Leuchars for the start of the display (or at their remote airfields) by 3 p.m, preferably by 1 p.m. Aircraft are free to arrive at Leuchars on Saturday morning from 11 a.m. onwards or the night before (Friday 5th) from 7 p.m. Practice sessions can be held any time before the airshow using the Leuchars scenery (i.e. in your own private time) but, if you want to, we could also arrange practice displays on the Friday night from 7 p.m. onwards. Your views on this? I can be on line on Fri night from 7 and Sat morning from 11.

So can I ask everyone who wants to participate in the airshow to respond as soon as possible and we'll settle on a display slot time that free/suits. It's obviously first-come, first-served on aircraft types and slot times. Once an aircraft is confirmed as being there and has a pilot it won't be available to any other pilot (unless we organise duel/multi a/c displays?).

I did think of trying to organise the famous mock-battle scenario (fighters, helicopters, freighters, lots of explosions etc) but X-Plane wouldn't recreate this very well (visually) - or maybe at all - and the organisation/flight planning of this would be a nightmare!

The idea is to have as much fun as possible. It doesn't really matter if things go wrong or we get behind time, which I believe is inevitable, as long as many of us dive in and create a virtual display to remember.
Please remember not to kill any spectators. Thank you. Lol.

So - up and at 'em folks - chuck your suggestions my way soon as you can and, once the display is together in rough form, I'll post up the timetable for the day.

Cheers for now

Chris

(Note to self - why oh why do I say 'yes' to these things!)

[Lemon]

I know I will not be able to fly but any assistance you need I will be able to offer to you.

[amerrir]

much to delight of Amerrir who wants to fly the Spit. Nothing new there then.

Actually I had a change of heart & thought I'd bring a DC-3.... (yeah, kidding)

I should be able to make it - & I'll fly the Kent Spitfire (HF IX), which leaves the BBMF Spit free if someone else wants it. (If not, I'll have a go at taking part in the BBMF display).

[Mr 3D]

I'll be standing behind the rope for this one sounds just like my childhood what a dream afternoon...

[Tonka]

There's some awesome Leuchars scenery at the UKMil MSFS Site. You have to register, but there are some nice sceneries over there that work fine in X-Plane straight out of the converter, well worth the minor hassle IMO. Looking forward to the event!

[Dataroots]

Actually I had a change of heart & thought I'd bring a DC-3.... (yeah, kidding)

I should be able to make it - & I'll fly the Kent Spitfire (HF IX), which leaves the BBMF Spit free if someone else wants it. (If not, I'll have a go at taking part in the BBMF display).

You almost had me believing you then Amerrir! If we can't get anyone brave enough to go for the BBMF then we'll show the a/c off individually. Yeah? Choose a slot any time between 3.30 and 6 p.m (every 15 mins). PM me? 3D ... why you gonna stand behind the rope? You're display skills are legendary! You'd be just as good at mowing spectators down asthe rest of us. Thanks Nath ... good link.

Chris

[sigoo]

Hope I'll be able to make it. I'm away at the moment on a work trip hence absence from the flyins for the last few weeks, but should be back by late Saturday (6th) afternoon. Ideally will aim to do something with Vulcan and Eurofighter, but nothing formal as depends on what time I get home.

This post has been edited by sigoo: 29 August 2008 - 05:42 PM

[amerrir]

Not so much practice... more just having fun

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[Mr 3D]

Is it possible for each member to video capture their displays so we can splice them all together for a YOUTUBE spectacular [come on Chris you can edit them all together with red tape and gum] - this would be a fun idea

[Dataroots]

Is it possible for each member to video capture their displays so we can splice them all together for a YOUTUBE spectacular [come on Chris you can edit them all together with red tape and gum] - this would be a fun idea

Don't see why not. We'd have to make sure that everyone was recording in the same frame size though, otherwise it wouldn't edit together properly in terms of quality of image.

Amerrir - looks like a great display to me! I remember seeing those pink lines at Leuchars last year.

Chris