Category Archives: Airshows

EBACE, Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland, 21-23 May 2019 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard At first it appeared that alpine storms would blight this year's exhibition but, by mid Tuesday the skies cleared to blue and the rain abated. Apart from the understandable absence of Boeing all the majors were well represented. The newest Citation Latitude making a colourful impact in the colours of Norwegian Air Ambulance, Bombardier became a record breaker and Embraer showed their new Protear to an expectant market. Much of the news focussed on the use of SAJF, sustainable alternative jet fuel, particularly as used by 27 of the static display aircraft, assisted by the UK facility at Farnborough.

Aerospace and Defence 2018, Waterkloof Air Force Base, Pretoria (now Tshwane) 19-23 September 2018 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This biennial show celebrated 20 years in 2018 with a much enhanced air display. Seven hangars of trade exhibitions highlighted both suppliers and buyers of military hardware over three trade days that remained open but mainly unmanned on the two public days when around 90,000 visitors flocked to this hot and dusty airbase; home to transport and communications squadrons of the modernising South African Defence Forces.

Light Aircraft Association Rally 2018 Sywell, Northamptonshire 31 March - 2nd April 2018 Report by Peter Davison This popular annual event is unique in the British aviation calendar and is long established at Sywell. Though dependant on the weather, this year near perfect, it attracts homebuilders in particular to network and purchase components and learn from both experts and peers the skills required to build, fly and operate in the general aviation environment. It naturally attracts enthusiasts and photographers keen to record all that is new and of special interest in one location. This generates considerable income for the LAA and its contributors and encourages the next generation of private pilots, engineers and fabricators.

Farnborough Airport, Hampshire, England 16th-22nd July 2018 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard This world famous and renowned airshow has, for years, exhibited all that is new and innovative in aviation with the famous halls reconstructed for each show. This year was the first to utilise permanent purpose-built structures although the dry summer weather prevented them being rain-tested as in past years. All the major players were present and industry support appeared healthy with large commercial orders announced. However, the trade day aerial demonstrations were limited, to some extent by new safety regulations in a built up area. Those that really suffered were the public; charged prestigious rates on the final weekend for an apology of a flying display and many closed exhibitions; something needs to change for 2020.