Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1341 times:
There's a poll going on right now on CNN. It really surprises me how many people don't think they're worth the risk, given all the safety precautions taken. Okay, there was an accident yesterday, but nobody was hurt!
JBirdAV8r From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 4459 posts, RR: 22 Reply 1, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1316 times:
It's only dangerous if the participants don't know what they're doing, like at small, rural airshows with relatively inexperienced pilots.
I once saw a Helio Courier piloted by a private pilot with under 200 hours total time do a demonstration of the airplane at an airshow. Winds were reported at 12 knots gusting to 37 (it was a very blustery day, I know a VERY experienced pilot who later that day groundlooped his biplane in these conditions), but he demonstrated slow flight--RIGHT OVER the crowd. The crowd was awed, but I was really concerned. Helio Couriers can travel at VERY slow airspeeds (i think somewhere around 35-40 knots), and because of the strong headwind this guy was practically hovering, around 100 feet (if that height) in the air directly over the crowd. If the wind had dropped off suddenly like it had been doing all day long, it would have been all over.
Contrails From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 1818 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1307 times:
I've been to a number of airshows, I've always enjoyed them, and I think the risk is minimal.
I am concerned, however, about the jet fuel consumed at these shows. As much as I like airshows, with the situation in the world as it is and with petroleum as expensive as it is I wonder if we can't do without them.
Gigneil From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 16215 posts, RR: 88 Reply 4, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1234 times:
"CNN" + "Poll" = you can safely ignore it.
I disagree. CNN is a well respected polling source.
That doesn't mean that public opinion is well informed - but CNN is a good barometer of it nonetheless.
DoorsToManual From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1211 times:
Well, this will be my last comment given I don't want this thread to turn into a question of what importance we should attach to internet polls, or different news organizations.
A lot of it has to do with the way in which the question is worded, and recent events.
In my opinion, if I were conducting the same poll I would certainly not have added the word "risk" to the question. A loaded question if ever I saw one...
As for "public opinion", I would be careful to rely on the media (ANY media) as an accurate rep of public opinion. The media can be very creative (as can the state in controlling it) when it wants.
That's just my opinion, and I don't expect you all to agree with me.
Of course, my views have somewhat been shaped by the scandal of media and government 'spin' here in the UK....
Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Reply 7, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1179 times:
I am concerned, however, about the jet fuel consumed at these shows. As much as I like airshows, with the situation in the world as it is and with petroleum as expensive as it is I wonder if we can't do without them.
Military airshows are used for recruiting and P.R. value, and as such I believe they do a pretty good job.
Oh well, the poll is over anyway.
[Edited 2003-09-15 20:36:04]
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
Stefandotde From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1134 times:
Jhooper: "Military airshows are used for recruiting and P.R. value, and as such I believe they do a pretty good job."
Why don't you see hollywood-movies like "The Patriot", they are for P.R. and for recruiting, too. Also this damn war-toys for children.
And less dangerous - "only" dangerous for brain.
Bhill From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 841 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1103 times:
Yup....they are worth it..safer than baseball games...how many times have you seen a ball screaming foul that has struck and injured fans...however, if you read the back of the ticket..and here in Seattle, the big displays on the scoreboard,warn you of the "dangers" of flying balls, and bats. Sooo...attend at your own risk. As or fuel..don't be absurd..ALOT more fuel is turned into air pollution at auto...motorcycle...racing boats...snowmobile races..etc. etc. than at airshows...hell..or for rocket launches for that matter
DC-10 Levo From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 3432 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1082 times:
I'd vote yes to this question. I went to the RAF Air Tattoo in July 2001 and it was brilliant. I think I'm going again this year to the one in Fairford.
HlywdCatft From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 5321 posts, RR: 7 Reply 11, posted (9 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1076 times:
Two seasons ago at a Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL Hockey) game a player shot a puck, it deflected over the glass and killed a 12 year old girl. NHL's solution was to put up nets to keep deflected pucks from hitting the fans.
Perhaps airshows just need a little more safefy guidelines, although I dont know of any civilians recently being killed at airshows
NASCAR is dangerous too, is it worth the risk? Millions of people go to NASCAR events just like millions of people go to airshows. Apparently not that many people find it that dangerous.
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