Shows, Displays and Slots

[Bob Thompson1894]

There were a lot of 'tuts' and 'is this safe' mumblings when we first did a mass take off with the Gee Bees, but over the last 6 years it has proven safe. (apart from the odd tailplane chewed off) The idea is to get the non-interesting bit over as quick as possible, so pilots can show their models to their best. To that end, a 'rolling slot' system al la full size practice is a great idea, Glenn Masters did this with the 2003 pageant, a total nightmare to organise then with 35 mhz, but quite simple nowadays with 2.4. Models in the air are told to fly high for a few seconds while the next slot takes off, to orbit while the current slot does its thing. They then land and the next slot are already in the circuit. There is never a time without a model or models in the air. A maximum of 5 minutes DISPLAY time is then enough for even the most impressive aircraft. That way, you can accommodate all types of aircraft, nobody would object to a Cub slot or a Greenley slot if it is over in 5 minutes, surely?
Oh- incidentally, we have been doing the 'walk and bow' routine for years now. Its a bit of a laugh, and entertainment for the public. And why not? It is a model SHOW after all.

[Denis Brown]

I really enjoyed that pageant, when the background music was linked to the period of the aircraft. A brilliant touch

[Mike Booth]

You've got a point there Dennis, themed music is very much a part of the day to set the mood.
That way my millionaires fighter club can strut out to Artie Shaws big band 'Stardust memories' with complete disregard to any other aspect of the hobby.
Better not mention all the small electric stuff in the van, or all those punters we've forced to buy our kits for the last 25 years.
Let alone all the wasted time teaching, and putting yourself out on a limb to promote the hobby.

[Dave Parry]

Okay we seem to getting off track here everybody so let’s just focus on the task in hand and not dwell on the past, what’s gone is gone we need to move on.

We have tried the rolling slots on more than one occasion and it works fine until you have a problem with one of the slots, but let’s not rule it out there maybe a work around, we have had Pilots ready on standby all day at some show to fill in if there is a unexpected gap so anything is possible we just have to work together instead of being individual pilots.

[stewart clifford]

Have any of the good comments be thought about by LMA top brass, will any be adopted for the up coming Elvington show?

[Rob Buckley]

We've been reading while sipping brandy and smoking cigars in the LMA committee library.

Slots have been defined for Elvington, trying to get a good mixiture of models throughout the day, and everyone who has applied to come has ample slot time.

Looking to the future, you lot as the pilots, what do you prefer?-

- Timed slots with a display running as close to time as possible
- Numbered slots that run as they run, with only the slot number indicating where people will be flying
- Que up and fly when you see fit
- something else

The bigger the show, the more control is needed to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to fly, but as you are all coming to provide the entertainment, what is your preference?

[Dave Parry]

I would also like to add something to the mix, most pilots won’t be aware of this but being in control of the PA System among other things, I always seem to get the flack from members of the public when music is playing at events as it never seem to be right with the era that is flying at the time, I thought it was a good point so I stopped putting music on (bear in mind I couldn’t hear it anyway as I had it turned down low).

Now going back to Cosford I got slated again by the public for playing that dreadful music to the red arrows duo and the German team, again for the same reason, as one put it, what am I thinking playing pirates of the Caribbean and the like; it has nothing to do with flying. So if you want to play music (which I think is a great idea by the way) please think of what you are flying and chose the appropriate music, I don’t have a problem playing it but I do have a problem being blamed for it.

As Rob as pointed out (by the way Rob I don't like whisky, a couple of can's will do next time) your input on how you want the slots to run is important so is anything to do with your flying slot, we are pro's not armatures at this so let's get it together.

[Neil Hutchinson]

A good piece of 'aerial' music - theme from the Blue Max - just over 7 minutes long - ideal for any era.

[robbieskipton]

I have read this forum from start to finish and although like some of the ideas, I hate to say, we can back And forth a million idea on here & try to come up with the 'best show ever for the future" however , shouldn't the public tell us what they like to see? After all they pay the £8 + to come and see a show !

A simple questionnaire is the answer to all

[robbieskipton]

I have read this forum from start to finish and although like some of the ideas, I hate to say, we can back And forth a million ideas on here & try to come up with the 'best show ever for the future" however , shouldn't the public tell us what they like to see? After all they pay the £8 + to come and see a show !

A simple questionnaire is the answer to all

[Mike Booth]

Dave the Shadows and Apache just ain't doing it. Nor is most of the rest of the 60s hits. I grew up on it and love the numbers but its not for a big display.
Me thinks it might be worth a try on the classical theme blended with period music. Plenty to choose from the Eric Coates catalog along with Holst and the other classics mate, quite literally Bach...tastic.

[stewart clifford]

Definately a good idea to ask the public for feedback. As for the slotting system Rob, personally I think the que up system works a low key events like East Kirkby but its a bit frustrating having to wait around all day slowly pushing models forward, if its done to a time everyone knows where they're at.

[Dave Parry]

Well as far as music is concerned the public voted at Elvington not have any, they just wanted the commentary, so unless a group or team want music to go with their display there will be none. The only music that will be played by me will be first thing up to the first slot of the day; this can be any old rubbish as it is just to establish that the speakers are working.

At Elvington we added more speakers and included one for the pilots set back from the pilot’s box. Next season this will be done at all shows, so if you want to add music to your display then make a CD of the music you want and I will play it, you should have no problems hearing it from now on.

[Alan King]

I will comment as a member of the public for the Cosford event, I have never attended an LMA event although a member and my son and I found the line up of planes on the flight line excellent, the PA system was Ok but could have done with a bit more distribution or volume as sound at times was a bit iffy.

As to flight displays I would think having attended many full size airshows here and abroad that planned flying which includes demos on what the plane can do ala full size if possible, music needs to fit the era if possible but not alaways and when the announcer is talking music should cut automatically and then resume once commentary is made. I found on the whole in my experiance that the Cosford show was well run with excellent flying and good commentary, it actually impressed me more than some other model shows I have attended.

display flying of any plane should be well planned and yes a routine would be good but constantly flying the same routine at all airshows could become much of the same and little new to see for those who attend.

I found the red arrow dispaly particularly well polished and think that the team have come a long way from when i first saw them a few years ago and have a well practiced and polished show, fly past with gear and airbrakes deployed ( dirty pass ) has always been impressive and the team demonstrated this well, all in all their display was in my sons words awesome.

The flight of the Vulcan ws impressive and awesome and a few other descriptive phrases that would see them deleted, Dave flew his creation well and certainly did much the same to demonstrate a beutifull plane.

what we need to learn from full size displays is that most are flown in the circuit just as we do every time we fly, if we fly our circuit as the full size does than we demonstrate our planes in a similar way and can use what we see in these shows to demonstrate our models, quite honestly most flights i watched were flown like this, I go to shows to watch flying and listen to stories of perseverance and triumph, I do not go to listen to music but am quite happy if it fits the sequence.

All in all I think you guys do a better job than most and I will certainly attend more events, if this is what the LMA has to offer than i think better advertising is the name of the game to get more of the public to see how special the hobby can actually be.

keep up the great work.

[Denis Brown]

On Sunday morning I watched the show from the spectators side for almost 90 mins and I must admit that it looked slick and professional. I think you are on the right track at that. No problems to me with the pa and commentary

Eat more sprouts