Nwfltattendant From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 341 posts, RR: 4 Posted (9 years 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 1954 times:
Im thinking about going to Farnborough 2004 this year. For those who have been to past shows there, how much internal access is there to the aircraft ?.... is it worth traveling 4000 miles to see this, or is it pretty much a "well your not buying a plane, so keep away" type event. There are evnts out there where you can see smell, and indeed, touch the plane. I just dont want to go all the way to Europe to be kept 150 feet back from the aircraft... i can go to my local airport for that. Its not that I want to throw myself on top of the wing, but I want to get close to the planes (walk through)
PA120 From Denmark, joined Feb 2004, 57 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 years 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1863 times:
I went there a couple of years ago, as the B777 was introduced. You were able to get inside although there was only seats in the front of the cabin... Got to see a lot of aircraft from the inside so don`t think it will be a problem getting inside touching and feeling... Hope to go there 2 this year!
AV757 From Colombia, joined Apr 2004, 646 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (9 years 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1730 times:
Having assisted to the Farnborough air show for many times before, you will have access to alot of airplanes parked on the ramp for a good close up look and a good see thru of the insides of many of them,
plus the extra bonus of seeing them actually flying during an exibition flight or two!!!
Willo From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1352 posts, RR: 14 Reply 3, posted (9 years 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1606 times:
I have been going to Farnborough since the late 70's. It is primarily a trade show and access to many of the aircraft exhibiting is restricted to trade customers (i.e. potential buyers). For example, the BAe compound is by invite only. That said, some of the aircraft that will be flying are open to the public in the mornings. Public days (Saturday and Sunday) are always packed and there are usually more flying displays often with visiting aircraft, however a lot of the trade stands in the main halls are unmanned as the exhibitors probably don't expect to generate any sales those days.
As to travelling 4000 miles. I personally wouldn't (I go because I get a trade ticket through work) there are better and more varied flying displays elsewhere, but it is resonably close to London so you could always combine it with a bit of spotting at LHR/LGW.
Scseay From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (9 years 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1506 times:
I went in '96 and had a great time, however, this time I would get credentials and go on the non-public days so that you would have more access to aircraft. I think you can go to the home page for the airshow and sign up for a non-public pass. If all else fails, make some business cards up that state you are the aviation manager for "X" company and were sent to represent the company. They will show you more then.. Don't use a real company name though, unless you know people there...
This year for the first time Farnborough International Airshow is making a strictly limited number of Enthusiast tickets available for Friday 23rd July. The tickets are priced at £40 and include entrance to the Airshow on Friday 23rd July, a grandstand seat AND a copy of the Farnborough International Airshow 2004 Official Souvenir Programme.
This limited number of 1,800 tickets is Exclusive to Friends of Farnborough and Key Publishing Subscribers (including their friends and family) and are available online at http://www.keypublishing.com/fi2004/enthusiast on a first come first served basis.
The gates will open at 9.30am on Friday 23rd July for more than just an Airshow: Five large exhibition halls, including a first time National Space Pavilion and Motorsports Valley Pavilion, over 200 aircraft on static display and the daily flying display which starts at 12.30 and lasts for approximately 4 hours!
2004 also marks the centenary of Rolls-Royce who have teamed up with the Farnborough Airshow to present an exclusive air display of Rolls-Royce powered aircraft. For any further information, all the latest show news, the latest on the flying display programme and details of how to get to the show log onto www.farnborough.com. Please note that the flying programme may be subject to withdrawals, changes and on-day operating conditions.
All tickets are subject to change and to the organiser's terms and conditions which are available on . Enthusiast Day tickets will NOT be available on the gate and are available via pre-ordering only
Scseay From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 51 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (9 years 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1420 times:
I called it "non-public days" but they are really called "trade days". Follow AV757's advice, and If I were you I'd go on the trade days ( I regretfully did not). My experience, although great, did not include getting into aircraft static displays. There was just too many people. Go on a trade day or the Friday AV757 is writing about.
Willo From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1352 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (9 years 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 1289 times:
As I said above, even on trade days access to the aircraft is fairly limited. £40 to go on an "Enthusiasts day" is a complete rip off - you would not get to see any more than on a public day, the only bonus is you don't get the crowds on the flight line for the display.
I have always gone on trade days, courtesy of work, and unless you are a CEO or have influence in what your company buys, most of the exhibitors will not have the time of day for you. Additionally a lot of the bigger companies (BAe for example) have their displays in "compounds". These are strictly admittance by invite.
Another thought - is there actually going to be anything new (other than in mock up) to see this year?
Voodoo From Niue, joined Mar 2001, 1962 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (9 years 1 week 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1190 times:
For enthusiasts, Farnborough gives you the most Y-A-W-N for the money of any airshow. Its still living off a reputation developed in the 50s-60s. This dawg can't hunt no more.
A week earlier is the International Air Tattoo at Fairford. Plenty of bang for the buck there. A much bigger and better flying and static display, albiet 95% military.
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From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 341 posts, 
From Denmark, joined Feb 2004, 57 posts, 
From Colombia, joined Apr 2004, 646 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 1352 posts, 
Don't use a real company name though, unless you know people there... 
From Niue, joined Mar 2001, 1962 posts, 
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