2022-2023-2024-2025 : RNLAF Open Days ? - opinions & whatifs

[Fishbed_9307]

It was also a tool to attract new staff, but not so anymore

Why is that? AFAIK there is still a huge shortage of personnel.

Very much so unfortunately Patrick, but they have seen the luchtmachtdagen does not attract new staff anymore. They are exploring other channels, but with the general shortages, especially in technical professions having an irregular (meaning not every year) open house at a limited number of locations did not deliver anymore, even before covid.

Not meant to criticize you Worlnis but I think it is plain BS. I am absolutely positive that the MoD events will help attracting new personnel, either in the short or mid-term. I think it costs just too much resources ánd they just don’t feel like organizing the event.

They should consider giving 200.000+ enthousiast taxpayers and “neighbors” something in return as a another viable reason for organizing the airshow.

[Joe Kurr]

...

They should consider giving 200.000+ enthousiast taxpayers and “neighbors” something in return as a another viable reason for organizing the airshow.

AFAIK that was one of the reasons for organising the Open Days in the past. I think it is even mentioned quite literally in the book "Vlucht door de tijd", which the RNLAF published for their 75th anniversary

[Stratofreighter]

I am absolutely positive that the MoD events will help attracting new personnel, either in the short or mid-term.
I think it costs just too much resources ánd they just don’t feel like organizing the event.

...the duo Ed and John retired after the 2019-edition.

So two really passionate people are not all that "in the loop" any more to influence things ....

https://magazines.defensie.nl/vliegende ... zwaaien-af

de Vliegende Hollander 08/09 | 2021

‘Misters Luchtmachtdagen’ zwaaien af

Maar de afgelopen twintig jaar waren Hoofd Bureau Air Display (BAD) Ed de Bruijn en zijn rechterhand sergeant-majoor John van Benten de motoren en sturende factoren achter de static- en vliegshows van vrijwel alle Nederlandse luchtvaartevenementen waaraan de luchtmacht deelnam. Beiden ‘Misters Luchtmachtdagen’ dragen nu het stokje over aan hun opvolgers.

https://magazines.defensie.nl/vliegende ... zwaaien-af

[Stafsels]

Al iets meer bekend over de opendagen van 2024 of ze er überhaupt wel komen?

Ja, ze komen niet

Wat bijzonder jammer is nu Defensie afscheid neemt, en daarmee Nederland van de F-16.

Wordt die mijlpaal wel gevierd, wat met een Open Dag heel mooi en passend lijkt te zijn geweest, of gaat dit met de spreekwoordelijke "stille trom"?

Grtzzz,

Stafsels

[aviodromefriend]

Wat bijzonder jammer is nu Defensie afscheid neemt, en daarmee Nederland van de F-16.

Wordt die mijlpaal wel gevierd, wat met een Open Dag heel mooi en passend lijkt te zijn geweest, of gaat dit met de spreekwoordelijke "stille trom"?

Grtzzz,

Stafsels

Maybe a formation overflying some places that have some connection with the type and a get together at Volkel of (ex-) personel that worked with the F-16. Looks like that is the way types leave Dutch service nowadays.

But being a bit realistic: the machines are needed to train Ukrainian pilots, which is a bit more important than a public farewell. Also the only venue that could seriously be used is Volkel, as that is the only base at which the F-16 is still used, and that is the base that hosted the last version already, and is not popular at non-RNLAF organisations that are also needed to pull an airshow off. If you have seen how NS personel and the police acted at Oss during the exit operation of the last two Volkel shows...

[Stafsels]

And what if we would held it at deelen or de peel, flying only?

Like last time Cambrai?

[aviodromefriend]

And what if we would held it at deelen or de peel, flying only?

Like last time Cambrai?

Wouldn't do any justice to an F-16 farewell. Also, those fields don't even have a basic plan for the event that you can pull out of a drawer and "only" have to adjust from lessons learned from the last time they hosted the event. If you would do that, I think you would be talking about 2026 at the earliest. Don't forget you compare bases that haven't hosted the thing for at least 45 years with Cambrai, that was a regular airshow host for Tiger meets.

[Warthog 71]

I have no doubts whatsoever about a farewell flight, something will definitely be organized. Don't think this will be a on base public event but a flight via all operational bases seems likely.

By the way, the 75 years Dutch Air Force show in 1988 was held at Deelen, thats "only" 35 years ago.

[hvaneupen]

And the final flight of the Starfighter was also a non-public event. So nothing new.