Nyutabaru, Sunday morning, 6h30… Masses of cars are already queuing to get on the parking places, and even the first enthusiast are on their way to the south side of the airfield, carrying their stepladders and camera equipment. It is time again for the Nyutabaru Airshow, amongst Japanese fans regarded as JASDF's premier airshow. But unfortunately this year the highlight of every show, the colourful F-15s of the Aggressor Squadron have to stay on the ground due to a grounding of the whole F-15 due to a landing mishap the previous Friday at Komatsu.
Loads of rain pouring down from a grey sky, that was the Tsuiki Airshow in 2005 – and unfortunately 2009 should not be that different. However the day started with a nice sunrise, the symbol of the Japanese flag gleaming through a thin layer of clouds on the horizon. It was at around 7:30am that the opening flight started with a formation of a T-4, F-15 and F-2, circling above the heads of the people that were still waiting outside while the jets performed well and were being illuminated by the rising sun.
Flight Test Nation 2009 astounded 225,000 visitors from across the world as they got the opportunity to see some of the nation's newest aircraft along with various historical ones. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the X-15, FTN-09 was the first Air Show hosted by Team Edwards since 2006.
A unique and rarely offered possibility to see the aircraft of the Israeli Defence Forces / Air Force (IDF/AF) in action is the chance to attend the annual graduation ceremony of future IDF/AF pilots at the end of June. Scheduled shortly before sunset this event focuses of course on the achievements of the young graduates to gain their wings and the celebration by their families and friends. But the airpower demonstration remains also an important part of this venue, proudly showing the IDF/AFs strength in the sky.
Though many aircraft of the "The Fighter Collection" (TFC) were grounded this year, the Flying Legends Airshow 2009 offered many stunning views and was rated by many amongst the best events ever that Duxford airfield saw in its long history. Not for nothing this might be owed to the very first sighting of a formation flight of a Messerschmitt 109 and a Focke-Wulff 190 after many, many years...
The Kampfhubschrauberregiment (KHR) 26 was founded in 1979 and received its first Bo 105 helicopters one year later, the same type which they are still flying today. The Open Doors Day at Roth (Franken/Northern Bavaria) was fully focused on the German Army Aviation with nearly every type of their inventory also present for the flight demonstrations:
The Meeting du Centenaire – "Meeting of the Centennial" – was announced as a big celebration of the first airshow held at Reims in August 1909, celebrated at the location that is today the airbase BA112 of the French Air Force. Additionally to this reason it was also the last meeting at this airbase which is due to close in 2011.
Due to orders by the higher command of the Luftwaffe, flying displays of their aircraft are not allowed anymore. Thus the only possibility of the wings to represent themselves to the public is by Open Doors or other similar events. And the aircraft enthusiast is eagerly waiting for one of those rare chances to attend a "Photoday", regularly organized by the different wings.
Though the airshow season is not over yet, the event at La Ferté-Alais can surely be rated amongst the top shows of the year. This is not only due to perfect weather, but also due to a perfect mixed of some of the finest flying that you can imagine of aircraft from all eras.
Time to celebrate! 2008 marked the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Czechoslovak Air Force. And this was the main theme for this year's airshow at at Czech's only remaining fighter airbase Caslav, around 1 driving hour East of Prague. The programm was mainly focused on the country's own aircraft, which was also due to the meager participation of foreign nations.
The airshow at Plasy was my personal season opening airshow in 2009. Located north of Plzen, Czech Republic, it offered a good reason to go for one day not mainly due to the flying program, but also due to the other specialities that this part of the Czech Republic has to offer.
90 years of german naval aviation and 45 years Marinefliegergeschwader (MFG) 2...these have been the two anniversaries and main themes for the Eggebek Airday, the only open doors day of the German Air Force (GAF)/…Read More
In combination with the 65th anniversary of the "Group de Chasse" GC 01/030 "Alsace" a Open Doors Day (Journée Portes Ouvertes or JPO) was organized at the Base Aérienne BA 132 Colmar Meyenheim on Sunday,…Read More
The Kampfhubschrauberregiment (KHR) 26 was founded in 1979 and received its first Bo 105 helicopters one year later, the same type which they are still flying today. The Open Doors Day at Roth (Franken/Northern Bavaria)…Read More
The Swiss Air Force demonstration at the Ebenfluh Shooting Range, mostly refered to as Axalp because of the nearby village, is a unique possibility to see jet fighters doing live gun shooting. Together with the…Read More
