Bristol Airport Aviation Fair 2016

[sierrafoxtrot]

Bristol Airport Spotting in partnership with Bristol Airport are holding another Aviation Fair on Sunday 18th September 2016 between 10.30am and 4.00pm within the administration building at Bristol Airport. The event is being held for the airport charity of the year which this year is Children's Hospice South West. This year’s fair will be bigger and better than previous fairs with an increased number of stands, stalls and exhibitors to interest families, enthusiasts and visitors on the day selling models, postcards, photos and books with displays of aircraft models, photos and other aviation related stands.

The fair is held in the Bristol Room within the old terminal, which is a part of the airport rarely opened to the public. The room gives panoramic views across the runway and taxiway allowing visitors to sit and watch the activity of take photographs with aircraft taxiing close to the windows of the room.

Entry to the fair will be £1.50 for adults and children under 16 obtain free entrance, all proceeds from admission fees goes directly to the Airport’s charity of the year. To find out more about the event please visit our website at http://www.bristolairportspotting.co.uk/bas-events/aviation-fair-2016/, as well as this and to stay up to date and to support the event also visit our Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1570757296550824/.

We look forward to welcoming you on the day.

 

[sierrafoxtrot]

Just under 7 weeks until the Aviation Fair at Bristol Airport, whos going to come along?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I will try to attend. CHSW is a charity that my wife and I particularly support so I have a double reason to visit.

Perhaps a reminder nearer the time would also be useful. Good luck to all those involved with this venture.

 

[sierrafoxtrot]

I will try to attend. CHSW is a charity that my wife and I particularly support so I have a double reason to visit.

Perhaps a reminder nearer the time would also be useful. Good luck to all those involved with this venture.

Great see you there, will post another reminder nearer the time.

 

[sierrafoxtrot]

Another reminder, the fair is now less than one week away!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Another reminder, the fair is now less than one week away!

I looked in for a couple of hours this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thanks go to the organisers for their hard work.

Lots of people there, with families with young children particularly in evidence. The 'viewing' area in what was once the departure lounge in the old terminal (brought back many happy memories) was especially popular with the families as they were able to enjoy a grandstand view of the apron. Sunday lunchtime is a busy time with aircraft taking off and landing almost it seemed without a break, with a combined total of over 40 landings and take-offs in less than two hours keeping everyone entertained.

When I left before one o'clock the total number of visitors had reached nearly 600 according to the continually updated display alongside the large screen showing arrivals and departures. I hope that more people came in the afternoon to boost the already impressive total for charity (over £500 had already been raised when I left according to the display).

Before I departed I spent a quarter of an hour in the staff car park watching landings and take-offs close-up from the safe side of the fence. Trying to do that in normal times may well have attracted security concerns but today there were dozens of people doing the same thing. At one point a line of six passenger jet aircraft was waiting to take off which delighted the young visitors and some not so young.

Once again, many thanks to everyone for their hard work in organising such an enjoyable event.

 

[sierrafoxtrot]

Another record breaking aviation fair was held on Sunday 18th September 2016 at Bristol Airport in aid of Childrens Hospice South West, the event was organised by Simon Fewkes the founder of Bristol Airport Spotting who has continued to build and develop on previous aviation fairs.

This years event saw a total of 873 adults and children through the doors of the administration building helping to raise a fantastic £986.32 for charity, the money was raised through donations and entry fees into the popular aviation fair which is currently in its third year. Entry fees for this years fair were £1.50 for adults and children under 16 free with all proceeds going directly to the airport charity of the year.

Visitors to the aviation fair were from all ages and backgrounds, families, enthusiasts, airport staff and anyone with an interest in aviation travelled from as far away as Kent, Cornwall and Manchester to visit the fair taking in the exhibitors at the fair as well as great views of aircraft taxiing, taking off and landing all within very close viewing of the Bristol Room that overlooks the main airport apron.

Each year the fair has been growing and following feedback from visitors to last years event to makes this years event even bigger the fair was able to make use of the upstairs room and the downstairs foyer allowing for a massive 39 tables of interest ranging from books, models, postcards, photos and exhibitions from various exhibitors all with an aviation background. This year Airliner World magazine exhibited at the fair after meeting them at an event earlier in the year, the guys had a great time and particularly enjoyed the great views of the airport.

Exhibitors included Bristol Aero Collection, Fly2Help, GS Models, Sapiart Publications, Bristol Flight Simulator Club, Bristol Air Cadets and Bristol Wessex Aeroplane Club to name but a few.

New for this years fair and for Bristol Airport Spotting members were visits to the old control tower situated above the Bristol Room, the tower, or VCR as its better known, is still in use as a contingent but small groups of photographers and spotters were allowed into the room to get a clearer and different view of aircraft and the airport, this was very well received and tickets sold out within minutes of going live on our website.

The fair also welcomed presenters from BBC Radio Bristol who used the aviation fair as one of their destinations on the radio programme called Clueless, organiser Simon Fewkes spoke live on air to presenters, this publicity on live radio also helped increase the numbers of visitors to the fair who may not have seen it advertised previously, also at the fair was a photographer from Bristol Post who went on to feature a two page spread in the newspaper the week after the fair.

BAS would like to thank everyone who came along to the event, supported the event, helped with setting up and packing up and everyone that helped promote the event on social media or through their website, we are looking forward to another aviation fair.