Category Archives: Exhibitions

GEMAB19, Chambley Aerodrome, Lorraine, France -  26 July - 4 August 2019 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This, the sixteenth such meet, celebrated thirty years since the first in 1989. Metz born Jean Francois Pilatre de Rozier was the world's first aeronaut in 1783 and Philippe Pilatre still coordinates the event; supported by the Region Grande Est with a budget of three million Euros though the estimated local benefit is ten fold. Visitor numbers are estimated at 400,000. Although extremely weather dependent, after a rough start, 2019 brought hot dry days with light winds from Sunday onwards. On the morning of the Grand Line 456 balloons lifted within an hour in still conditions; filling the sky overhead and equalling a previous record. Similar conditions heralded the famous 'night glow' on the Wednesday evening.

RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, United Kingdom, 13th July 2019 Report by Peter and Kim Davison Such is the star quality of this annual Naval celebration that it continues to survive the general reduction in military airshows across Europe. Despite being close to the Air Tattoo the crowds and exhibits continue to converge to celebrate Naval aviation, particularly in regard to rotary and coastal patrol assets. With the co-located Fleet Air Arm Museum and a strong educational agenda it also inspires repeat visits and maritime loyalty from an eager public.

Paris Air Show 2019, Le Bourget, France 17-23 June 2019 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard Following some rather erratic wet weather in the region it was a pleasure to see some sunshine at this year's show. Well attended despite some gloomy forecasts for the industry and the ongoing problems with some engine safety and the numerous issues at Boeing. No 737MAX to show but a public debut for the long awaited KC-46 tanker in Europe. The commercial highlights fell to Europe with new Airbus types dominant and a star turn from the Russian Beriev water bombing amphibian.

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.