African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is cited as being Africa’s premier air, sea and land defence exhibition. The 2014 edition was set to be the biggest in its 14 year history, when it opened its doors from 17 – 21 September at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. Irrespectively of what has been announced, AAD it is a great opportunity to see the South African Air Force (SAAF) live and in action.
Looking to the horizon around Midland the width of the Texan landscape is interrupted by oil pumps, and with the sweetish smell of oil also the smell of the money lies in air. High above a stairway of clouds leads from the horizon into the big blue, proudly supported by the clear air of the Texan sky. Historic bombers and warbird fighters would soon sneak through those skies, giving plenty of photogenic topside passes for the Airsho crowd.
The Shuttleworth Collection has not been particularly lucky with the airshow weather in 2014. The main shows in August had to be cancelled, and for some other events the sun either did not want to come out or the winds were too strong for some of the aircraft to fly. However, for their Pageant Airshow in September everything went just right! And the DH.88 Comet was finally in the air again!
The souvenir booths are buzzing with business, and a mix of white steam and smoke rises up as thick smoke from the food stalls of the “Yatai” market, whose crews get ready for the day. The sun has not even risen yet, but some hundreds of Japanese airshow enthusiasts already flock around the shopping street set up for the 2014 Airshow at the Tsuiki airbase.
November 23rd, Kakamigahara area, Japan. On this beautiful autumn afternoon the calm winds blows and lightens the trees from their autumn colored leaves. Families are sitting in the park with their children and watch a formation overflight of 11 aircraft of the JASDF Flight Test Wing ADTW. It is the day of the Gifu airshow!
What a blast! Standing at any of the runway ends during the Duxford air shows is a stunning experience. Either you get to see the aircraft turning in onto the display line or they make you feel their massive horse powers while passing you on take-off. As usual action is guaranteed!
July is usually a busy airshow month in the UK. Many of the big airshow take place in that time, and 2014 once again saw the two big events of the "Flying Legends" at Duxford and the RIAT at RAF Fairford collide at the same week-end.
The bi-annual Farnborough Airshow ranks very highly amongst the three big European aeronautical trade fairs. Some even argue that it is the biggest one due to the strong presence of American and Asian companies, especially in the defence sector. One day onl at this huge event was barely enough to cover the static and flying display, thus this report is restricted to a walk-around I the static display and a look at the flying program in the afternoon.
RAF Waddington has been the regular host of the Royal Air Force’s premier airshow for many years. By doing so it attracts many visitors from abroad and is the main venue to celebrate all kinds of anniversaries with the general public. This year’s major theme was the 50th display season of the „Red Arrows“, the RAF jet display team. To do so, the RAF had a special approach to celebrate it.
The ILA (Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung) is Germany's major aerospace exhibition and ranks high amongst the other two European trade fairs in Le Bourget and Farnborough. Nevertheless the event at Berlin has a hard struggle amongst this competition, though organizers and exhibitors were happy about this year's event.
