Here. Twenty quid just for entry! That’s US$40, near enough. Not even a programme included. I should have checked before I went, of course, and had I done so, I would not have gone, but as it was, I was there and paid up. But I spent nothing at any of the stalls, save for a cup of tea. And the stalls didn’t seem to be doing much business.
I doubt I’ll go again.
I’ve been involved in aviation for a good many years, and it’s a real pity.
'Tis indeed. I don’t know of any airshow in the US that charges admission, as it’s just too important to get people there and get them supportive of the activity. Even the ones held on civilian airfields (who *could * charge if they wanted, most are on military fields that can’t do it) work the sponsors hard to cover their costs. The performers are hired based on balancing vs. expected revenues so they don’t have to even think about fees.
I agree, that’s a shame. One might think that even with, say, a fiver instead of a twenty to enter, they’d get more than 4X the attendance.