She's 1.25 years old.. can you get ear defenders for lil kids? I used to be terrified at airshows but I was 3-4 at the time and a bit of a wuss with regards loud noises.
How loud is the airshow?
*very* loud. Sets car alarms off in local car parks etc.
If you're inside the gates and there's a Harrier showing off 100ft in front of you, it's ear splitting. Otherwise it's only when the Mig's engines are pointed in your general direction that it hurts.
It just becomes an annoyance after you've lived here 20 years! 🙂
Hmm. Wonder if we should take the littleun then 🙁
I can't really recall, but I've a hunch anything I needed ear defenders for was by definition not fun when I was 1 and a bit. 🙂
To be fair, I've been in twice (Free tickets) but unless you're seriously into aeroplanes, you're better off standing outside the gate...!
Dunno I had my 1.25 year old at dawlish airshow, she was fine with the BoB flight but the jets terrified her and all the other kids, desparate to leave when it was zooming around. We are going again this year but only with ear defenders.
Whilst you are there see if you can catch a plane in a lorry and verify all those theories..
Molgrips, where do you live?
Cardiff.. but staying in Fboro in the week.. why?
Just wondered, because you can see it from EVERYWHERE round here, all week!
I'd bet the Swan pub on Farnborough road will be rammed. They have a good view from just outside! 🙂
That's the Swan in the corner of this pic of mine!
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And this is the view from just outside!
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😀
Hehe 🙂
Well I was thinking of going because my old man is a frustrated plane geek, so would absolutely love it... And if you pay the £25 to get in, you can go around all the planes on the ground and stuff.
used to sit on the roof of Solartron factory and watch.
nothing like the mix of a family day out and weapons sales 😉 is there.
yep 4 RR olympus engines can be a little on the loud side
Am planning on sitting on the bank on the western end of the runway on the Friday afternoon - was brilliant last time.
On the original question could be a bit marginal, one of my kids was fine with the noise. It totally freaked the other out when he was about 4.
You can combine it with a ride if you like, there's a good view from Ceasars Camp near Aldershot!
Good point actually - would be ace from up there 🙂
PP, thats where I will be 🙂
A few years ago I was out during airshow week & was greeted by an apache popping up at the end of the trail I was on ...that spooked me a bit ... I think they were filming for the beeb sunday show.
Oh & they set the tv cameras up on the point of Caesars, its mental watching them tracking.
I took our two to RAF Waddington this weekend (they're aged 3 and 4.5). They both have the Peltor kids ear defenders and wore them for most of the day without much of an issue. They were essential for both the F16 and the Typhoons.
They both loved the show - although the little'un slept through the Red Arrows!
freddyg, what was the traffic like getting out? I was there on Sat. and it took and hour and a half to get in! We left as my 4 year old was tired and so we missed most of the best stuff!
We took some of our Squadron's Cadets on Saturday from Yorkshire - even with using a quick route in due to local knowledge it took us a good 3 hours for the inbound journey. We left after the BBMF dogfight display and managed to get back home in a little under 2 hours. It was a lot easier getting out to be fair.
On the main issue of noise, I didn't think it was too bad, but ear defenders for kids are a must. Other than jets pointing their burners at you, you need to be prepared for any role demonstrations that use explosions to effect, such as the Tornado role demo on the Saturday.
Other than that, go with an open mind, and enjoy the show!
Highlight for me was the Turkish Stars, the commentary was just brilliant!
Some crappy pics [url= http://picasaweb.google.com/mtbcol/WaddingtonInternationalAirShow2010# ]HERE[/url]
Right, since we're talking about traffic - if we stay in Fboro, and my wife and mum want to leave to go somewhere else, will the traffic be awful too, or will they be going the right way to avoid it?
If they use routes away from the main airshow routes, then they'll only have to put up with local traffic. If you're based far enough away from the airfield, traffic might not be too much of an issue. Work out where the airshow routes will be in advance, and plan accordingly for least hassle.
Hmm.. actually loks like we're staying in Bracknell now...
My old office was next to Farnborough runway. Great views during the airshow, Red Arrows from the office canteen:
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But trying to hold business meetings as a Mig29 lets rip directly above the office wasn't always too productive:
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I stayed in the Aviator loads of times on a cheap corporate rate - amazing view of the airfield but sadly the rates are somewhat more expensive in Airshow week 🙂
Just got back from Caesars Camp and they have fenced off a portion of the of the top already. Last time they had some an anti-aircraft missile battery at the end of long valley.
Used to work just across the road to the Swan pub. The week before was the worst as they used to spend the time getting ready. Some days when making a cup of tea you felt you could hand one to the pilot just outside the windows.
One year all the pilots used to set off their afterburners over the Asda car park in Farnborough. I reckon they were trying to flatten the batteries of the cars by setting off the alarms.
Great photos guys. Love to have a pint or two at that pub.
We have the peltor kid ear defenders, got them for a music festival when he was about 6 months. Apparently they are the best. Obviously toddlers won't know to cover their ears when loud noises Hirt them so very important to protect them.
I used to work in the Thompson building. Was somewhat unnerving seeing a large passenger jet pointing straight at your window when only about half a mile away (and level with you)!
Eurofighters used to make things rattle on my desk too! Happy days!
Took baby daughter there in a (proper) pram years ago. Toddler son loved it.
It's a great experience. 8)