Details
What: Australian International Airshow
When: 20-25 March, 2007
Where: Avalon Airport, Avalon, Victoria
Links: http://www.airshow.net.au
Latest News
- Super Hornets to Swoop on Avalon
- The Awesome Aardvark
- Kairys Avalon Encore
- Guest of Honour made of the 'Right Stuff'
Looking Back – 2005 “The shape of things to come”
- Gallery
Latest News
Super Hornets to Swoop on Avalon
Two United States Navy Super Hornets are poised to swoop on the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in March.
They represent the latest word in airborne military technology and will be put through their very impressive paces on each of the public days of the event.
Their appearance at Avalon will afford enthusiasts an up close and personal look at the warplane that may soon be the backbone of the RAAF’s strike capability.
The Federal Government has expressed interest in buying at least 24 Super Hornets as a bridging option between the retirement of the F-111s and the acquisition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Following a spectacular flying display, the two state-of-the-art combat aircraft will be available for closer inspection on the ground.
By any standards the Super Hornet packs a powerful sting.
Its onboard cannon is supplemented by an array of bombs, rockets, air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground munitions.
It flies at almost twice the speed of sound and has a service ceiling of 50-thousand feet.
The aircraft was developed by Boeing during the mid-1990s as a carrier borne multirole fighter.
The first Super Hornets off the assembly line were phased into service with the United States Navy, which ordered more than 400 of them for its carrier air wings.
On its previous appearance at Avalon, the Super Hornet literally stole the show with a high-energy tribute to the afterburner, rarely seen at a public event.
The Australian International Airshow 2007 will be held between the 20th and 25th of March (public days 23rd to 25th March).
The event attracts many tens of thousands of people into the Geelong region, who typically take out time to visit the many tourist treasures the city and surrounds have to offer.
The Awesome Aardvark
The mighty F-111 will again provide an awesome display of power and grace at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon.
The aircraft will take part in a high-energy flying display that includes simulated combat manoeuvres and its famous “dump and burn”.
For more than 30 years the F-111 has been the backbone of Australia’s long-range strategic and tactical strike capability.
Despite its longevity, the F-111, or “Aardvark” as it is affectionately known, remains one of the finest military aircraft of its genre.
Its speed, agility and its undisputed ability to pack a powerful punch make it one of the most respected warplanes of the modern era.
It boasts performance data rivalled by few other military aircraft.
The Aardvark is powered by two massive Pratt and Whitney turbofans that deliver enormous thrust and a top speed of Mach 2-point-4 or almost 2550 kilometres per hour.
In battle configuration it carries 28 tonnes of assorted missiles and bombs.
The F-111 was the first operational warplane to feature swing-wings and afterburning turbofans.
They are scheduled to remain in service with the Royal Australian Air Force until 2020.
The Aardvark appearing at Avalon will fly direct from Amberley in Queensland, the home of the F-111s and Australia’s largest military base.
The Australian International Airshow 2007 will be staged at Avalon March 23rd to March 25th.
The event attracts tens of thousands of visitors into the Geelong region, many of who will seek out the varied tourist treasures of this magnificent part of southern Australia. Geelong, which boasts pristine bays and beaches and a vibrant restaurant precinct is also home to a large number of award-winning vineyards and wineries.
Kairys Avalon Encore
The man dubbed the greatest aerobatic performer of his generation, acclaimed stunt pilot Jurgis Kairys, will make a return visit to Avalon for the Australian International Airshow 2007.
The affable Lithuanian is a four times World Freestyle Champion and has few peers in the exciting business of precision flying.
In 2007 Kairys will be flying one of the most advanced aerobatic aircraft ever built. Its superlightweight airframe and high performance power unit combine to make it capable of the most spectacular aerobatics.
It is called the JUKA - the name coming from Jurgis' initials as they are pronounced in Lithuanian.
At Avalon, Kairys will perform two new aerobatic routines featuring himself and other airborne daredevils.
One, the “Air Bandits” is a thrilling three-ship display, featuring a series of close manoeuvres.
The other new routine, the “Tin Styx of Dynamite”, features Kairys, US ace Jim Leroy and pyrotechnics specialist Rich Gibson.
Kairys took up aerobatics twenty years ago and soon made a name for himself at major Eastern European air shows during the 1980s.
His high-octane performances quickly earned him an envied reputation. The flying style he pioneered and developed is now the standard by which Unlimited Aerobatics pilots are judged.
These days, Kairys struts the international stage, performing at air shows throughout the world.
His performances are characterised by high-energy, low level precision flying displays that always leave the crowd wanting more.
The Australian International Airshow 2007 will be held at Avalon Airport between the 20th and 25th of March.
The biennial event traditionally attracts large numbers of visitors into the Geelong region, gateway to the spectacular Surf and Shipwreck Coasts.
The city is one of the most picturesque in southern Australia with its stunning waterfront, beautiful gardens and vibrant restaurant and retail precincts.
Guest of Honour made of the 'Right Stuff'
The American-based General Chuck Yeager Foundation has confirmed that aerospace pioneer Charles
“Chuck” Yeager has accepted an invitation to be the Guest of Honour at the Australian International Airshow in March 2007.
General Yeager was the first pilot to break the sound barrier and was the subject of the Hollywood film and best selling book “The Right Stuff”.
His attendance at Airshow 2007 is in keeping with the event’s main theme “Breaking the Barriers”.
This larger than life hero was a decorated fighter ace during World War Two. He is credited with shooting down a total of 13 enemy aircraft, including five German Me 109s on a single day.
After the War he was selected to be an Air Force test pilot. On 14th October 1947 he became the first man to travel faster than the speed of sound. At the controls of his jet powered Bell X-1 he recorded a speed of 700 miles per hour (Mach 1.06)
The attempt was fraught with danger and later General Yeager was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour for bravery. He is the only American to be awarded the Medal for service in peacetime.
The General went on to head the United States Air Force’s test pilot program – a project that produced the first generation of NASA astronauts.
Now retired, General Yeager says he’s delighted to be coming to Australia for Airshow 2007. Upon his arrival, General Yeager will be a special guest at the Chief of Air Force’s dinner on the Monday of Airshow week. He and his wife will then spend three days sightseeing. He will attend the Airshow for each of the three public days, visiting the ground displays, talking to fellow pilots and carrying out ceremonial duties.
General Yeager is also scheduled to be speaker and special guest at the Airshow 2007 “Breaking the Barriers” presentation in Geelong on 24th March. The function is only open to Airshow participants and invited aviation guests.
Details of General Yeager’s life and his place in aerospace annuls can be found on the website www.chuckyeager.com
The Australian International Airshow 2007 will be open to the general public from Friday 23rd March to Sunday 25th March.
The event is expected to attract around 200-thousand people with many staying on in Geelong after the event to experience the warm hospitality and tourist treasures of the popular region.
Looking back – 2005 “The shape of things to come”
The 2005 Australian International Airshow ran from the 15-20 March 2005 under the banner of “The shape of things to come”. Once again, it was the high speed fighters of the Royal Australian Air Force as well as the United States Air Force that thrilled and excited the crowd. The show also saw the first public appearance of the Boeing 737 Wedgetail aircraft, still in its developmental stage. This aircraft is one of X to be delivered to the RAAF.
Boeing’s Night Alight provided some spectacular night flying by most notably, the F-111 and the HARS Super Constellation, with the occasional Jetstar movement thrown in. The evening display concluded with the Wall of Fire, a simulated bombing run involving the aging but impressive RAAF F-111.
Some of the most spectacular displays of the show were performed by perhaps the least likely of participants, the Royal New Zealand Air force Boeing 757. The 757 crew put the aircraft through manoeuvres more akin to that of one of the smaller fighters performing at the show, impressing the crowd with the climbing and agility of the large commercial airliner.
Small selections of commercial aircraft amongst the largely military and general aviation contingent were present for the one or more of the public days. Australia’s newest airline, Ozjet displayed one of its newly painted 737’s alongside a newly delivered A320 for Qantas low cost offshoot Jetstar. Sunday morning saw the arrival of a Qantas 747 charter from Sydney, with the aircraft later opened up to Airshow patrons for viewing. Another Qantas liveried aircraft in attendance was the Dash 8-Q400 in Qantas colours, being a factory demonstrator for Bombardier Aerospace.
