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Page 1 of 2  Where? Wolfgangsee, Austria
When? 12/06/2008
The "scalaria Air Challenge" is not an actual airshow, but more of an event organized by the scalaria event hotel in St. Wolfgang, Austria, not far from Salzburg. Guests of the international jet set as well as some beautiful models were an appropriate context for the seaplane flying throughout the day.
 The idea of seaplanes on the Wolfgangsee is actually not that new as the forerunner of today's "Austrian Airlines" established a regular connection between the lake and Vienna already in 1924/25 with Junkers F13. This idea was resumed in 2007 and the "Air Challenge" serves besides its social aspect also charitable purpose. This year each landing on the lake during the fly-in contributed to a donation for "Moments of Hope" and will help needy children of the area.
 And though the access to the event itself was restricted the general public had an excellent opportunity to watch the flying from the nearby waterside cafes or restaurants while enjoying an ice cream, Schnitzel, or a hot coffee, which was more appropriate on this chilly evening.
Unfortunately the changing weather influenced also the whole event made the flight planning a game of luck and a lot of improvisation was needed for the 90 minutes airshow along the shores of the  Wolfgangsee at the end of the day. Due to this the first visit of the Britsh Catalina flying boat had to be cancelled as well on Saturday, with the aircraft waiting at Salzburg.
As the show was held in the very last light of the day and after a heavy thunderstorm the conditions for photography were not the best as you might see on the photos - but some good shots were possible nevertheless:
A rare view in the air and even more on the water was the amphibious Beriev Be-103 that flew in from Salzburg, touched down on the lake and took off again shortly afterwards. Beriev Be-103Great flying was performed by Iren Dornier and his Dornier Do-24 ATT. One might be tempted to say that this is self-evident, but he used the surrounding hillsides very well for his presentations and some dramatically fly-bys. Dornier D0-24 ATTThe recently developed "S-Ray 007" was also presented by himself in the air, and also for the first time the display started and ended in the water. Dornier S-Ray 007With the "Wings of Storm" / "Krila Oluje", the aerobatic display team of the Croatian Air Force, even a military participant performed in the thunderous sky above the lake: Croatian AF: Krila Oluje / Wings of Storm The European Flight Service Cessna 208 Caravan from Sweden was also another nice view in the air and the pilot knew for sure how to present his aircraft to the crowds in style: European Flight Service Cessna 208 Caravan
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