Thunder Over Michigan 2023

[Iamwiz82]

I am close to Selfridge and there was a lot of activity today that wasn't A10/KC-135 traffic. I couldn't see what it was due to the low cloud cover and rain however. F35s fueling maybe? I counted four takeoffs.

The Northern Strike exercise is underway I believe

Makes sense. They are still doing exercises right now. I just hear a KC135 take off. Selfridge also did a base commander change this weekend. I thought that might have something to do with the activity also.

[GRNDP51]

Strike Eagles may be gone, but a CF-188B "exhibition" has been added. Honestly, I'll happily take that swap, since legacy Hornets of any kind are few and far between at this point, and it seems RCAF flying displays are becoming especially rare in states not named California.

If the F-15 exhibition was going to be anything like 2019, then from what I've heard the CF-118 exhibition should be a little more entertaining. Would've been nice to have them both, but..

Was that the 2 flat passes then they left?

Correct

[RyanS]

Raptors are in, just watched them fly over my house lol

[jxspxr]

hey im going tommorow for the arrivals anyone know what runway and how much there will be landing ?

[Iamwiz82]

TFR for tomorrow is from August 11, 2023 at 1700 UTC To August 11, 2023 at 1900 UTC so that's practice time, if you want to catch more than just arrivals (probably a good amount have made it today already).

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_7952.html

[jxspxr]

TFR for tomorrow is from August 11, 2023 at 1700 UTC To August 11, 2023 at 1900 UTC so that's practice time, if you want to catch more than just arrivals (probably a good amount have made it today already).

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_7952.html

thanks but will there still be some and what is the best place to see them if you know

[JBavaition]

TFR for tomorrow is from August 11, 2023 at 1700 UTC To August 11, 2023 at 1900 UTC so that's practice time, if you want to catch more than just arrivals (probably a good amount have made it today already).

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_7952.html

thanks but will there still be some and what is the best place to see them if you know

Best place is on Tyler rd off of Runway 5R.

[Iamwiz82]

No flight plans are filed that I see, but looking at arrivals I only see a couple of P51s come in so far. That doesn't include military which I don't think you can typically see.

[Mlamb99]

I am glad that there are so many others out here that have voiced thier (Negative) opinions about the new format and the changes that have happened at other shows. The last time I was at thunder was the year before we had the change to the drive in format and I really enjoyed the show. I was really looking forward to going in 2023 and I dispite my dislike for both the price and the format I opened up the wallet and bought tickets for the all day photo tour with Pit pass and night engine run. The cost seemed outragous but it was the only way I could see all the acts. The scary part was that at the time i really had no idea what aircraft would be there.

In 2022 I went to the Dayton show and purchased the photopit only to discover that when i got there they had moved the photoit way down at the end of the line to make way for the high priced chalets. The sad part is the photo pit really does not take up very much space and the majority of the people buying those tickets really would not know the difference. For the average viewer your going to see the whole show. For photographer however the perspective is totally different and the quality of our shots depend on location. Needless to say I was dissapointed when I discovered that i could have gotten a better seat in the general viewing area.

The Columbus airshow was even worse. I was ready to buy tickets for columbus until I saw the show map. The layout was even worse. Nothing but tents and Chalets along the main performing area. You could not even stand behind those areas and get shots. I did end up getting tickets at the last minute for the friday show but again was dissapointed as it was not the full show and it seems to me nothing that i read when i purchased the tickets disclosed that fact.

When will TOM and other shows bring in and listen to photographers and aviation enthusiasts. I am sure with thier imput they can make a few simple concessions and end up with a terrific show. They have forgotten that the millions of great airshow photos that are taken and published on the web is what generates interest in thier events.

Dont even get me started on the concessions prices.

[OwenORourke]

I know what you mean about paying for a premium experience and then seeing that you can get a better experience for free - same thing happened to me at Homestead this year - paid beaucoup $$$ for the reserved seats, then when I got there couldn’t even get into the seats due to a ridiculously long line and then found out that there were plenty of better spots further down the fence line without having to pay. Just beware of those shows where they only offer 100 feet of open fence line and the other 90% is taken up by chalets and corporate sponsors, seen that at several shows recently - Pease in 2021 and Seymour Johnson this year, if you are not in the first 1000 people through the gate, you aren’t getting a good seat - at least from a photo perspective. Somewhere in the past 10 years or so the financial dynamics of air shows has shifted and basically what it comes down to is unless photogs can bring in chalet money, they aren’t going to get premium spots.