Whenuapai Open day 09 Full Program

[Adamski]

I've always enjoyed Whenuapai ... but this year has to be the best. Superbly organised - both on the ground and in the air. Dozens of smiling RNZAF personnel and cadets - hopefully enjoying their day as much as we enjoyed ours. Great photography weather - dramatic and cloudy in the morning to blue skies in the afternoon. Sadly, my pics have turned out unrelentingly *average* and don't reflect my memories of the day. Highlights:

1) Doug Brooker not writing off a spit ... his aerobatic display was (as ever) AWESOME. Can't wait to see him do it in his Spit!
2) The Warbirds DC-3 - I'm in love and not ashamed to admit it!
3) Still can't seem to get enough of theses Hercs ... they never fail to impress.
4) Old favourites - the Harvards were a joy to watch - they make it look all so easy.
5) Though they *sound* puny by comparison, the Red Chequers are still amazing - they make it look even easier!!
6) The 757 and P-3s always surprise me by being so *exciting* to watch. Very *graceful* - even when they're being thrown around the sky in an alarming manner!
7) All the RNZAF "biggies" in formation - then doing a nice break. For some reason, seeing all these [different] aircraft flying in close formation was really quite something.

The Yaks were also quite incredible - as was the jet trio.

For some reason, the "star attractions" didn't quite cut it for me. The C-17 may be big ... but it's truly *UGLY* - give me a C-130 any day! The F/A-18 was nice and noisy, but I felt bit of "... is that it??" ... as there seemed to be no obvious "climax" (ooeer, missus!) to its display ... it just sort of ... errm ... *landed*

To be honest, the real "star" has to be the good old RNZAF. Cut back, depleted ... decimated even ... they're still totally professional and bloody friendly with it!

The attendance this year seemed significantly higher to me ... do others agree? I think it may have even taken the organisers by surprise, as the queues to leave were huge ... until they opened up the main entrance as well. Again - all very good natured.

[d3fai13r]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 21 2009, 11:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To be honest, the real "star" has to be the good old RNZAF. Cut back, depleted ... decimated even ... they're still totally professional and bloody friendly with it!

+1, im for first time in Open Day but everyone one is so friendly... Probalby P3 were the best. C17 yeah good perfomance for machine of that size but nothing more, F-18... sound was very nice(i love noisy "birds") but... i don't like fighters etc as they are killing weapons and only one thing im interested in them to catch good photo with red engines
Many thanks to RNZAF and everyone who took part in organisation. Thank you very much

[Ian Warren]

Fighters with Red Engines , DC-3 s never fail to please , the Herc YIP ! as with P3 in THREE of the BIGGIES , .... now with the C17 .. was the Red Checkers invited to display inside the Globemaster3

[ardypilot]

Does anyone know if there was any footage on TV1/TV3 news from the show? I didn't recall seeing any big cameras out on the field other than Westpac's own crew during their own helicopter demo, but the mainstream media usually cover things like this don't they... my mate even txted me saying he'd seen the F18's practicing on the Friday on tv, so surely there is an online vid somewhere on one of the big network websites. Would much appreciate any links posted.

Awesome shots by the way Adam- really captured the essence of the day. Will have to come and say hi next time we're both at the same event

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Trolly @ Mar 23 2009, 10:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does anyone know if there was any footage on TV1/TV3 news from the show? I didn't recall seeing any big cameras out on the field other than Westpac's own crew during their own helicopter demo, but the mainstream media usually cover things like this don't they... my mate even txted me saying he'd seen the F18's practicing on the Friday on tv, so surely there is an online vid somewhere on one of the big network websites. Would much appreciate any links posted.

Awesome shots by the way Adam- really captured the essence of the day. Will have to come and say hi next time we're both at the same event

I'm always amazed/disappointed with how little national [news] coverage there is for these Whenuapai shows - or indeed how little advance publicity there is. It's almost as if the Air Force just don't want *too many* people to turn up! I'd love to know how many people turned up ... but the news seems to be obsessed by European fashion shows at the moment.

I feel sorry for all the "behind the scenes" helpers that must surely get a big kick out of a load of people turning up - and I'd have thought an aerobatic pilot gets an altogether different feeling performing above a mega crowd. The crowd around me we all pretty enthusiastic in their clapping - and all pilots gave us a smile and a wave (or three or four) as they taxied past.

As I've said earlier - they're brilliant shows - and the best $5 you could possibly spend!!

I think I go a bit coy at these events, as I suspect the average age of other NZFF'ers is around 19 ... and I'm 58 (gasp!). Silly really, though Must make an effort next time!!!

[FlyingKiwi]

You're only as old as you feel Adam.

[Trev]

I believe there was approx 50,000 to 54,000 people attending. More than was expected. It's Ohakea turn next year. We'll have to try and beat Whenuapai's numbers now. We struggle to get nice calm days tho for airshows.

Trev

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Trev @ Mar 25 2009, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe there was approx 50,000 to 54,000 people attending. More than was expected.

That's pretty good going then ... sounds about right. When I was looking for those figures I found that 2007's show was 25,000. I think I'll book my seat on the DC-3 for Ohakea *now*!

BTW (FlyingKiwi) "You're only as old as you feel Adam" ... in that case, 150