I don't know about you guys but I am sick and tired of airshows that will not allow us pilots to FLY-in.  Cleveland International Airshow is coming up this weekend but will NOT allow pilots to fly-in, even if we have unusual airplanes that draw huge crowds.

 

Airshows (or the idiot politicians who run them who have no aviation experience) are becoming a nightmare to attend.  Cleveland will not allow aircraft to fly-in stating a lack of space - though I have been there and see no lack of space.   Also, they will not provide any type of transporation from other local airports so if you want to go, you walk or rent a car - from 10 miles away - which is stupid.

 

In addition, they will not allow RV's and stated the reason is because of FAA requlations.   Hmmm.  I just got back from Oshkosh where 10,000 RV's were parked - some right next to airplanes!!!

 

NO coolers.  Well, what about medical conditions or babies that require cold items?  The reason cited to me was that the inspectors do not want to have to stick their hands in ice to inspect coolers.

 

WHERE are our FREEDOMS going?  How about the family of 6 that wants to drive in, pull of wagon of chairs and a small cooler for sandwiches MOM made that don't cost $25 each?  NO, they force you to buy their own crap food and families have to spend $150 just to eat NOT to mention the price of the ticket - and, oh yeah - what about the NO REFUNDS if it rains bit?  "We're sorry you came to an airshow, gave us all your $$$ and it rained and you didn't get to see an airshow - that you PAID for, but screw you cause we're taking your $$$ anyway - oh, and see you next year!!!"

 

Are we going to let them dictate what we can and cannot do?  I, for one, am getting pissed at the DISCRIMINATION we pilots are getting and "happily" dealing with just because we sit around and take it saying to ourselves, this is just the way things are now!!!!

 

Airshows used to be about freedom and families and fun.  NOW they are about how much $$ a town can collect (at $25 a pop) from the unsuspecting public and rules are dictated to us and we bend over and take it.

 

Matt Reeves