2016 Dawlish Air Show cancelled

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-34579590

Sadly this could be the first such cancellation of many others next year. Maybe only the larger shows will survive. Insurance, over the last few years, has decimated many local carnivals and parades so air shows and displays may well be next to be affected.

 

Although it looks like Dawlish Airshow will have a year off next year, there is a new Airshow happening in Torbay on the 10th, 11th & 12th June 2016. It will be the first Torbay Airshow and if successful might become an annual event. Not much detail yet on what will actually fly.

http://www.torbayairshow.com

 

Dawlish - like Eastbourne and Clacton has the advantage that the can take place over the sea. As such insurance costs should (if risk assessed properly by the industry), not be significantly more for the 2016 season which does make you wonder about the motives of the insurance industry when considering future events.

The shows that will suffer is those taking place over land - hit by a double whamy of increased insurance costs and significant limits on the types of manoeuvers certain aircraft can perform following this years tragic incident at Shoreham.

 

Having seen a post Shoreham display by the Meteor T7 at the Cosby Victory Show, I don't see the restrictions on high energy manoeuvres having that much of an impact on attendances. It was well executed and the aircraft was well presented for the photographers in the crowd. Also classic jets are not a major feature of many air shows although they do play their part and if it's a seaside show then the new restrictions won't apply. Like you and others though, I fear that insurance costs will be an even bigger factor next year. Whether the restrictions on classic jets or their absence from a show will ameliorate insurance matters I know not so we'll just have to wait and see.