Leeuwarden 20-21 June - Comments

[aviodromefriend]

Just one exception(except the signs on the aircraft nosewheels and fire-extinguishers in front of the planes(why not in the back?))... the static aircraft in the shelter area... what a waste! so much place, so much barriers.

I think the fire-extinguishers might be an operational demand. If needed the people must be able to reach them in the shortest possible time, and not have to run along the whole aircraft. I can imagine the discussions here as a fire should have burned off an aircraft and the personel couldn't reach the extinguishers. It's not only at the KLu open days you get them in front of the aircraft.

About the barriers: Maybe next time you go to an airshow, bring a lens with a little amount of mms. I had no trouble to photograph in the shelter area. (I used 18-55 mm, maybe interesting to know you can do the RIAT static with that one with a lot less of cones trouble).

[nilsko]

About the barriers: Maybe next time you go to an airshow, bring a lens with a little amount of mms. I had no trouble to photograph in the shelter area. (I used 18-55 mm, maybe interesting to know you can do the RIAT static with that one with a lot less of cones trouble).

I'd rather have my fighters in a realistic perspective than if they were bend .. Less mm makes your perspective go down the drain.

[Joost van Doorn]

Hunter, Mitchell, F-16 together, Bronco (never seen), Gnats (never seen),
Ikra's (never seen), Heli's with flares, great demo's of Dutch and Belgium F-16's, F-18 and Mirage, Lancaster, div. Heli's (Huey, Merlin, NH-90 etc.),
Airfield attack, etc. etc. etc.

Not much realy exiting ?????

SOMMIGE MENSEN ZIJN NOOIT TEVREDEN !!!!!! (sorry for the Dutch)

I agree with you, I had a very nice day!

[Redskin]

I think complainers like Pieter and Nilsko miss the reason why the open days are held, to give the taxpayer an chance to see what is done with their tax money and to requite new personnel. The average tax payer does not mind a fence in front of a harrier (didn't bother me, some creativity and patience was needed), is happy that he/she can read what kind of aircraft it is on a sign (ok that could be placed somewhere else)

The last two years spotter days were arranged during the arrival day (free of charge). Try going to a foreign airshow that is free
In my opinion the Klu did a good job, there were some nice aircraft/displays (F-4’s, Bronco, EH-101, NH90, KDC-10 on really low pass, CP140, ect).

[AK01]

First off all, i am a different Pieter then the first complaining one.
However it must be in the name, i fully agree with Nilsko and Pieter.
Leeuwarden use to do a lot better in the past, there have been years when you could take decent pictures without fences etc from about 70% off all aircraft. An avarage Leeuwarden in the past had at least much more highlights. i noticed a list mentioning " Hunter, Mitchell, F-16 together, Bronco (never seen), Gnats (never seen),
Ikra's (never seen), Heli's with flares, great demo's of Dutch and Belgium F-16's, F-18 and Mirage, Lancaster, div. Heli's (Huey, Merlin, NH-90 etc "
i guess for an airshow spotter who never leaves our country they might be highlights, however you can see them at just about every show in the surounding countries.
And indeed, next Leeuwarden will probably not be visited by me, unless they are able to get more good highlights.
ps i was able to take decent pictures of 4 aircraft, the 2 Turkish, the Spanish F18 and on RAF Harrier.

Best Regards Pieter

[aviodromefriend]

I'd rather have my fighters in a realistic perspective than if they were bend .. Less mm makes your perspective go down the drain.

Never experienced that problem in the result, but maybe my camera is better then yours ( or my photo technique is better )

Besides: I can't match your comment here with the comment you made to Pieter. Maybe you can explain, please?

[cHabu]

arrival day 2:
(notes: the forecasted bad weather really appeared in the course of the main arrival day for the Open Dagen at Leeuwarden. Luckily, in spite of the continuous rain showers and the strong wind, quite a lot of arrivals took place until early afternoon.

As mentioned in another topic, this was my second mil-trip since 1995 so i'm a bit reluctant to comment on a mil event...

It amazed me that some aircraft where not 'advised' by the tower to proceed to the press tribune, but got off the runway earlier.
Missing some choppers, due to te way they 'hovered' to their stand.

The prizes you had to pay for food and drinks where sky high.

No chance to visit the static.

I know this event was an extra, but it could have been much more than what we got now.

Don't get me wrong, i enjoyed myself, but i've got the feeling it could have been better...

Bye, Chris.

[medebruijn]

It is always difficult to keep everybody satisfied. The RNLAF Air Force Open Days are free of any entry fees. RIAT 40 euro's?? Some people did not read the previous comments, or they just forgot it, so one more time:

1. The big teams had other priorities (Red Arrows in Canada, Patrouille Suise (EC football).
2. The RNLAF made an agreement this year with the surrounding villages to ban jetnoise in the morning hours. (This was because Gilze Rijen was the next in line for the Open Days, but the RNLAF had to change location to Leeuwarden and that clashed with some celebrations in the nearby villages). We need our neighbours in the future!!
3. Some guys forgot already, we had some special acts the last couple of years.
4. Some shows are very lucky to be scheduled around RIAT and Farnborough. That makes it a lot easier to attract B1's a.s.o.
5. The organistion is always trying very hard to attract special performers. This year the NH-90 , Gnat, Huey, KDC-10 fly-by.
6. Leeuwarden has limited space for the static display and the rules are very tight regarding the distance from the spectators to the display line. That is why we are unable to park all support A/C on the rwy 27.

Be aware of the fact that we are always trying the get the most exceptional aircraft to the RNLAF Open Days (somebody probably has frgotten the Blue Angels...). Thanks anyway for the motivating comments.
E

[sfeyenoord1]

15mm Doesnt make it 'bend' yet, below 15mm you can get that effect Above not. So im happy with my 18-55 kitlens

[Redskin]

323 TT Proud to be gay

Priceless

Anyone got a photo of this banner being towed? Noticed it just too late to snap any pictures...

Yes I do,
But anyone a clue from who it came (heard some volkel crew last week that said they were going to visit "die homo's van 323" )

[ebauer]

It is always difficult to keep everybody satisfied. The RNLAF Air Force Open Days are free of any entry fees. RIAT 40 euro's?? Some people did not read the previous comments, or they just forgot it, so one more time:

1. The big teams had other priorities (Red Arrows in Canada, Patrouille Suise (EC football).
2. The RNLAF made an agreement this year with the surrounding villages to ban jetnoise in the morning hours. (This was because Gilze Rijen was the next in line for the Open Days, but the RNLAF had to change location to Leeuwarden and that clashed with some celebrations in the nearby villages). We need our neighbours in the future!!
3. Some guys forgot already, we had some special acts the last couple of years.
4. Some shows are very lucky to be scheduled around RIAT and Farnborough. That makes it a lot easier to attract B1's a.s.o.
5. The organistion is always trying very hard to attract special performers. This year the NH-90 , Gnat, Huey, KDC-10 fly-by.
6. Leeuwarden has limited space for the static display and the rules are very tight regarding the distance from the spectators to the display line. That is why we are unable to park all support A/C on the rwy 27.

Be aware of the fact that we are always trying the get the most exceptional aircraft to the RNLAF Open Days (somebody probably has frgotten the Blue Angels...). Thanks anyway for the motivating comments.
E

Thanks, Ed

Together with my seven years old son I had a great day at EHLW! And I'm a spotter for 25 years now... (so you could say I'm a little spoiled, but I still liked it very much!)
Highlights: FRECCE TRICOLORE, Gnats, KLu Heritage flight and nice to see
the 'Gooseman' from France again!
At the static 3 Phantoms from 2 different countries were much appreciated! (2008!!!!) and I consider the CP140 Aurora as a remarkable visitor!
Thanks to the organisation > I lost my son in the crowd and he was back within several minutes!!!

[United 777]

Compared to the 2006 airshow I found the flying program a bit poor. No Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, F-15, MiG-29 or Harrier in the air, to name a few. Even Christian Moullec and his birds disappointed me with just two passes. However, the base attack and the low flying KDC-10 (especially on Friday) were very impressive. I also enjoyed the Hawker Hunter, the Canadian Orion and the Bronco amongst others. Standing half an hour in line to see the interior of an AWACS aircraft was well worth the effort. To my opinion the organisation of the Open Days was perfect. I could park my bicycle less than 100 metres from the static display.

[Wiwa23]

I had a wonderfull time! What a brilliant organisation! Great thanks!Although there always is room for improvement.

A shame that I don't get to read the more positive comments.
But it's like looking on the internet for a review of a product, most times you only hear the people who are discontent or who have remarks.
Negative emotions tends te reach the surface more quicker!

The diplays of all the jets where simply impressive and of high qualtity!
I liked the airfield attack very much with much intervention of the F-16's.
All with pretty close range fromn the public (regarding the standards these days).

Anayway I got what I was expected to see. I don't believe you could have expected anything else. All information like lists of participants or experiences of previous editions was there before the show.

If only the dutch team could reach the semi final.... maybe that has something to do with it!

Grts,

Wiwa

[DJdeRidder]

I see the annual complaining has started again.

I hope all complainers will be wise enough to skip next years show. There is little chance things are gonna get better for us in the next years with more airforces cutting budget on airshow participation and more and more fighterjets about to be withdrawn from use. Shouldn't we just be happy with military aircraft from 20 different countries, and a flying display which includes Canadian, Polish, Slovenian and Irish aircraft?

I enjoyed the show, just don't get your expectations too high. The KDC-10 was great. Would be nice though if some more of the 'highlights' (fighter jets, exotic teams) could be scheduled between ~11:00-15:00 as sunlight conditions are terrible in the late afternoon (especially at LWD and VKL, but also GLZ). Yesterday three out of four fighterjets and the most photogenic displayteam (Frecce) were flying in the late afternoon...

If you're a diehard photographer you should become a member of a spotting group, join the airforce ('Hangar 3 the place to be') or start arranging things for yourself, but don't visit an airshow when you know in advance that you will not like it..

[Tom Tiger]

Hm... well I can complain but why, there are things that allways annoy me at Leeuwarden but these are minor annoyances and they allways disappear when I get there.

Parking on the road, I hate it, but the organisation did a good job and I could get right on the shuttlebus (driver lost his way unfortunatly....) so minor inconvience.... And I can park there all day.... for next to nothing so I shouldn't and won't complain about that

The Toilet situation.... well I came early, I had a good spot so I didn't have a problem with it....and they were free. (I think I had to pay all those other times....)

The food, well I bring my own

The weather was really cooperating on friday, I went for souvenirs, cap tshirt, polo and raincoat Even got a discount and extra stickers.
That's GRRREAT plus the organisation was friendly, loads of shuttlebusses, 3 different departure stations for the buses. This could have been marked a little better (my only really complaint)

The Show itself, great, little tame in the morning but things were great in the afternoon, yes the airpower demo was lacking the cougars with soldiers dropping off and the Hercules coming in, but I think they were needed elsewere

Highlights, F16 demo RNLAF and BAF, cougar flares, Chinook with bambibucket, offcourse the Frecce Tricolore (as allways Superb) Team Iskra (slow on start but better later) F18 demo, NH90 demo and Merlin, loved the gnats and the Bronco, Mirage 2000, Jordanian Falons.

As I look back from friday, Excellent show, well worth going, well worth the shuttlebus and the trafficjam.

In short, I had a great day, I shot over 1700 photos and as allways the Open Days of the KLU are well organized, friendly and simply too good too miss.

If you didn't have a good time then please don't go there ever again, more room for me and my friends

I missed the running clown though.... Never did see him