Australian Bicentennial Air Show Preview

The demand for exhibition space in the display pavilions and the major names in the aerospace industry who have confirmed their attendance, indicates the importance placed nowadays on the Australian and Asia/Pacific regional markets.

To name just a few, market leaders such as Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Lockheed, British Aerospace, Fokker, Airbus lndustrie, United Technologies and Rolls Royce will be joined by such diverse names as Canadair, Saab of Sweden, Thomson-CSF of France and the big . Italian companies Aermacchi and Aeritalia. A joint Bell-Boeing team will promote the unique V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor helicopter.

Major Australian organisations such as Hawker de Havilland, Hawker Pacific, Aerospace Technologies of Australia, the Office of Defence Production, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Qantas, Ansett and Mobil will also be using the opportunity to underline the range and quality of Australia’s hightech aerospace resources.

The United States Department of Commerce is coordinating an American national pavilion for an anticipated 100 US aviation and aerospace companies. The department has told the Air Show organisers that it attached as much importance or more to this event as it had to recent air shows in Paris and Beijing. The British Overseas Trade Board and the Society of British Aerospace Companies are also working together on a UK pavilion and aerospace and trade authorities in Israel, Italy, Canada and New Zealand are also planning national pavilions. As Australian firsts, the Soviet Union will be represented by civil aircraft and static displays and the People’s Republic of China will promote commercial satellites and its Long March launch vehicles. The Soviet Ministry of Aviation Industry will be bringing (and flying) the world’s largest aircraft, the Antonov An- 124 Ruslan heavy lift freighter, a Kamov Ka-32 twin turbine helicopter and a Sukhoi Su-26M high performance aerobatic aircraft.

Among the other civil aircraft so far booked to appear are the Fokker 50, the BAe125 and 146, the Jetstream 31, Saab 340, Falcon, Canadair 601, Optica Scout and, possibly, the Beech Starship. Many of the exhibitors have also bought hospitality chalets, a feature of the Farnborough and Paris Air Shows, but new to such events in Australia.

The Australian Bicentennial Air Show is being staged jointly by the Australian Bicentennial Air Show Organisation and the Royal Australian Air Force. The major sponsor is Qantas, Australia’s international carrier, while Ansett and Mobil Oil have been appointed as associate sponsors.

It is hoped that the Aerospace Expo will prove an ideal venue for aerospace companies, as a springboard into the Asia/Pacific market. Australia, alone, provides a significant market. Within the Asia/Pacific area, it is the third largest purchaser of military aircraft, the second largest buyer of airliners and the largest consumer of general aviation aircraft. This nation is already one of the US aerospace industry’s top three export markets, with yearly sales of around US$1 billion,a total which does not include American equipment fitted to aircraft bought elsewhere in the world. Aerospace products are in fact the United States’ main export to Australia.

Trade attendance will also be boosted by the presence of some 5,000 delegates to several international conferences being conducted to coincide with the Air Show.

These include: The International Academy of Aviation and Aerospace Medicine; The International Soaring Symposium; Rotortech ’88 – HeHcopter Convention and Exhibition; Royal Aeronautical Society-Aerospace ’88 Australia; The 81st Federation Aeronautique Internationale World Conference; The 13th World Assembly of International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations; The Ansett Transport and Travel Writers Conference; World Conference on International Air Safety Law; Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia Conference; and the Strategic Air Power Symposium.

As well, large tour groups from the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand have signalled their intention of coming to the Air Show while total overseas visitors are expected to exceed 10,000.

The largest group, of between 300-500 people is from the United States; the Return of the Eagles Down Under comp force veterans of Second World War campaigns in the SW Pacific. They are coming to Australia at the invitation of the Royal Australian Air Force Association.

Another group of enthusiasts is coming from the United Kingdom in conjunction with ‘Flypast’ magazine. The largest number of groups, however, is coming from New Zealand and most are associated with aero or gliding clubs. Eight of the groups average around 50 people. One tour, organised by ‘New Zealand Wings’ magazine, will bring 240 people to the Air Show and there’s now a waiting list. Over 1,500 aviation enthusiasts are expected to visit the show from New Zealand alone.

The Air Show’s theme is ‘Aviation – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’. It will feature a combination of international civil and military aerobatic displays, vintage and veteran aircraft flights, historic displays, gliding events, sky diving, and hot air ballooning.

As well as the flying, there will be extensive static displays featuring civil and military aviation in Australia. It will be a once only chance to display the full range of historical, warbird and general aviation aircraft in Australia.

The History of Military Aviation Exhibition will include mock ups of airfield scenes from the First and Second World Wars, Korea and Vietnam, depicting the aircraft, equipment and uniforms used by Australian personnel in these conflicts.

A similar display of civil aircraft will highlight the development of aviation in Australia; its current importance to the nation will be underlined by displays of aircraft used in community service roles, such as search and rescue, police, aeromedical etc, in the Airfield ’88 exhibition. A number of rare vintage military aircraft will be specially brought to Richmond from the RAAF Museum at Point Cook and the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, including, possibly, Australasia’s only Messerschmitt Bf109. This aircraft has recently been released after many years’ impoundment by Customs, after an attempt was made to take it out of Australia. (Refer p69 Jan 88 AA. )

Additionally, the RAAF Museum expects to have flying at the show its Second World War Ventura reconnaissance bomber, which is being brought from the USA in exchange for an RAAF Canberra and Australia’s second airworthy de Havilland Vampire jet trainer, which has recently been restored by air force personnel. It will also show is superbly restored 1930s vintage Hawker Demon biplane fighter in the static display. The RAAF has confirmed that its CA-27 Sabre jet fighter – the only one operational in the Southern Hemisphere-will also be flying in the show.

The Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight also plans to have flying in time for the Air Show its Sea Venom carrier fighter, its rebuilt Scout helicopter and a rare 1950s vintage Bristol Sycamore helicopter. These are in addition to its popular Dakota, Tracker, Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft. The Navy Historic Flight will also fly one of its recently retired UH-1B Iroquois helicopters, wearing the markings of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (EMU), a unique joint RAN-US Army unit in the Vietnam war.

One aircraft which, unfortunately, will not be on display is the Australian War Memorial’s B-25 Mitchell, which is now grounded. However, the memorial’s Dakota, operated by 486 Sqn at Richmond, will be a participant. Australia’s oldest DC-3, Ansett Airlines’ historic VH-ABR, is also scheduled to fly again at the Air Show, for the first time since 1975. VH-ABR, which is an ‘original’ DC-3 and not a converted military C-47, has been restored to ‘as new’ condition, in the original Australian National Airways livery that it wore when it entered service in October 1938 with an inaugural flight from Melbourne to Sydney. TAA’s first aircraft, VH-AES, Hawdon, is also being flown during the Air Show and will have just competed in the Across Australia Air Race.

Other historic Australian airline types likely to be seen at the Air Show are Ansett’s Fokker Universal and the Avro 504 representing Qantas’ first aircraft. Meanwhile, the flying replica of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s most famous aircraft, the Southern Cross, will likely have star billing at the Air Show. Plans are also in train to mark the 60th anniversary of the first flight across the Tasman, which actually departed from and landed back at Richmond. The 60th anniversary of the Southern Cross’ return flight from Woodbourne, in New Zealand’s South Island, to Richmond is ironically only four days before the Bicentennial Air Show opens.

Star attractions at the Australian Bicentennial Air Show will be the two largest aircraft in the world, which will be taking part in static and flying displays.

The Soviet Union’s Ministry of Aircraft Industry will be displaying the world’s biggest aircraft, the Antonov An-124 Ruslan heavy lift freighter, while the United States Air Force will show its marginally smaller (5% less) Lockheed C-5B Galaxy. It will be the first time such a major Russian aircraft has been seen in the Southern Hemisphere. The Ruslan (a character in Russian folklore possessing unusual size and strength) was revealed to the West only three years ago at the 1985 Paris Salon.

Other aircraft to be displayed by the Soviet Union will be a Kamov Ka-32 twin turbine utility helicopter and the nimble Sukhoi Su-26M high performance aerobatic aircraft. The Kamov Ka-32 is a civil version of the Soviet Navy’s primary shipboard antisubmarine and over-the-horizon targeting helicopter. It is also used aboard Soviet icebreakers.

The Sukhoi Su-26M was the aircraft which enabled the Russians to win the 1986 world aerobatic championships and the 1987 European aerobatic championships. The aircraft’s wing and some other structures are made of carbonfibre and glass fibre composite materials, which give it immense strength.

In spectacular aerobatic performances, Su-26M pilots are able to pull up to 12g, or 12 times the force of gravity. In Australia, aerobatic aircraft are certificated to a maximum of only + 6g. It is planned to include the Su-26M as part of the aerobatic displays at the Australian Bicentennial Air Show; experienced aviators describing the Soviet aerobatic sequence as ‘breathtaking’.

General aviation will also play a major part in the Air Show and pilots from all over Australia and overseas are being encouraged to fly in to the event.

Light aircraft will be able to fly direct to the nearby Schofields aerodrome (9nm SE of Richmond), where aircraft marshalling and refuelling and reception and hospitality facilities will be provided. Public bus and train services will be available to take crews directly from Schofields to Richmond and to the adjacent Hawkesbury Racecourse, where camping and dining facilities will be available. Because of the use of Schofields, visiting aircraft will be able to arrive and depart almost without restriction during the period of the Air Show.

The International Military Air Tattoo at the show is likely to bring up to 100 foreign military aircraft and 1,000 personnel to Richmond.

The United States, Canada, Britain, Sweden, West Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, most South East Asian countries, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand will be participating. As well, personnel and aircraft from a large number of naval ships visiting Sydney for the Bicentennial Naval Review can be expected to attend.

Although the final details of military participation could not be confirmed at presstime, organisers are expecting to attract the following types: from the UASF/USN, Boeing B-52, C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, F-4E Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, E-2C Hawkeye, HC-130 (search and rescue) and AC-130 (gunship) Hercules and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. There are also hopes of the presence of a Rockwell B-18 bomber and the SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft. (Please note that some of these aircraft are provisional. )

The Royal Air Force will contribute Tornado F. 3 air defence interceptors, a TriStar tanker, a Nimrod ASW aircraft and the Falcons parachute team and their C-130 support aircraft.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force will be sending its excellent Skyhawk formation aerobatic team and a range of transport and training aircraft; Canada is sending a CP-140 Aurora, the Netherlands is bringing a P-3 Orion and Fokker Maritime reconnaissance aircraft and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force will display one of its new Israeli Arava transport aircraft. The RAAF and Army will demonstrate their newest aircraft, the Pilatus PC-9 trainer and the Black Hawk battlefield support helicopter, in addition to a representative range of their existing fleets. The Royal Australian Navy will also be represented, by its helicopters and its unique Historic Flight.

Organisers are expecting 15,000 visitors on each of the trade days and up to 250,000 people over the two weekend public days, making the Air Show one of the major outdoor events of the Bicentenary year.

Facilities for parking 50,000 cars per day will be available in the grounds of the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, adjacent to the RMF Base and a major traffic plan has been prepared in conjunction with New South Wales road and Traffic authorities to ensure a trouble free traffic flow to and from the Air Show. Shuttle buses will be provided for exhibitors, industry visitors and the disabled between the car parking areas and the Air Show site. Over 400 coaches are being used in support of the show.

Special bus and rail services will be operating between Sydney’s central business district and RMF Richmond (a road journey of around one and a half hours) during the five days of the Air Show. As well, the State Rail Authority is installing a temporary railway station near the main entry gate to the Show and is scheduling 30 special trains specifically to cater for Air Show demand. .

Provision is also being made for fixed wing air charter services direct to the air base at certain times of the day and a full-scale heliport will be operated adjacent to the exhibition area by the Helicopter Association of Australia. This will allow for helicopter shuttle services from Sydney and surrounding areas to Richmond, charter services and local sightseeing flights.

Because of the large numbers of people likely to be attracted to Sydney by the Air Show and other Bicentennial events, a comprehensive accommodation plan has been drawn up. This provides some 10,000 beds, in accommodation ranging from five star hotels to camping areas and caravan parks and ‘home-stay’ accommodation in private residences.

For a period leading up to and after the Show; the RAAF will deploy Richmond’s complement of resident Boeing 707, Caribou and Hercules squadrons to other air bases, to allow the unhindered organisation of this major event. Maintenance work and essential RAAF and USAF transport and search and rescue operations will continue, however, in areas of the base not open to the public.

Richmond is one of the oldest sites of organised aviation activity in Australia; as far back as 1912, Australia’s first licensed pilot, William Hart, ran a flying school there and in 1916 the New

South Wales Department of Technical Education established a school to train pilots for military service. The site was taken over by the Commonwealth in 1923 and became the RAAF’s second permanent air base. Today, Richmond’s four transport squadrons carry more than 60,000 passengers and 13 million tonnes of freight each year. Richmond is also a primary staging point for USAF transport aircraft flying through the Australasia/ Pacific area.

The Australian Bicentennial Air Show Organisation was born out of the decision to stage an event which would highlight Australia’s aviation heritage during 1988.

The Australian Bicentennial Air Show Organisation, a division of the Schofields Flying Club Limited, was asked by the Australian Bicentennial Authority, on the recommendation of the

General Aviation Trade Fair Joins the Line-up

An exciting new feature of the Australian Bicentennial Air Show is the Australian General Aviation Trade Fair, which will feature its own complex of exhibition pavilions and static display areas.

With the Aerospace Expo commanding attention mainly from the international aerospace community, the Air Show organisation identified a need for a similar but perhaps less sophisticated style of expo for smaller, Australian general aviation companies.

“General aviation, after all, makes up the bulk of the aviation industry in Australia and we believe this Trade Fair will provide a special opportunity for GA companies to sell themselves to their home market and overseas visitors to the Air Show,” said Sales Manager Nat Gould.

The main indoor section of the Australian General Aviation Trade Fair will be housed in a 12 metre wide marquee pavilion, featuring a series of 3m x 4m wall stands. The pavilion will be floored and electricity will be supplied while display space will also be available in a series of free standing, steel frame Gazebo-style units, with internal space of 6m x 3m. The Gazebo-style units will not have flooring, but will be provided with electricity.

The Australian General Aviation Trade Fair will cater for Australian flying schools, charter and aerial work operators, general aviation engineering companies and light aircraft and component manufacturers and distributors. It will also provide display facilities for Australia’s burgeoning sporting aviation industry and educational, industry and professional bodies. Participation will be restricted to Australian companies.

“General aviation in Australia is now starting to climb back out of the recession of the early and mid 1980s; and we see the General Aviation Trade Fair as a major marketing opportunity to assist local aviation companies in that resurgence,” said Nat Gould.

A Few Words on Flying to the Air Show

If present indications are anything to go by, the bulk of General Aviation pilots and aircraft in Australia are going to be somewhere near RAAF Richmond during the second week in October.

Because of this likely large amount of traffic, pilots will need to take extra care in their planning and understanding of procedures involved in flying to the Sydney area at this time. With the large number of static and display aircraft that will be on the ground at RAAF Richmond, parking space will be severely limited and only display aircraft and a limited number of approved charter flights will be able to operate into the RAAF base.

All other General Aviation aircraft will be catered for at Schofields, 9nm south east of Richmond, where full scale aircraft reception and refuelling facilities will be provided by the Australian Bicentennial Air Show Organisation and Schofields Flying Club. Schofields will be open to visiting aircraft between Monday, 10th October and Wednesday, 19th October. Because of the likely traffic volumes, pilots are encouraged to plan their visit to the Australian Bicentennial Air Show over several days.

Using tarmac and grassed areas at Schofields and the adjoining HMAS Nirimba, parking for up to 800 General Aviation aircraft will be provided. In wet weather, a minimum of 400 aircraft can be catered for. The Air Show Organisation will provide parking, ground transport, aircraft refuelling, crew reception, domestic facilities and airfield security at Schofields. All visiting aircraft will be met by an Air Show representative and transport will be provided to the Aircraft Reception Centre in the Schofields Flying Club building. This facility will include information services, refreshments, comfort stations, car hire, accommodation information, transport to and from Richmond, entry ticket sales, telephones, fax and telex. Public transport will be provided for pilots and their passengers between Schofields and Richmond and will include train and bus services, rental cars and charter helicopters.

“Crews though will not be permitted to camp at Schofields and for added security all pilots will be issued with airfield passes to ensure control of access to aircraft and tarmac areas,” said Fly In Co-ordinator Wayne Gorham. “We will also be employing a professional security firm at night to ensure the security of visiting aircraft”.

Aircraft refuelling will be by way of mobile tankers, which will meet arriving aircraft in the parking area. Both Avgas and Avtur will be available. An aviation maintenance organisation will also have staff available at Schotields to perform minor aircraft maintenance.

Because of the large numbers of light aircraft likely to be flying to Schofields, and with the likelihood that many pilots will be unfamiliar with airspace arrangements around Sydney, the CAA will be making special arrangements to cater tor the traffic. In addition to the usual Notams etc, the CAA has published detailed operational information about procedures tor operating around the Richmond military control zone and into Schofields in the Winter edition of the Aviation Safety Digest.

Accommodation for visiting pilots can be arranged through the Regional Tourism Centre (045) 77 5915, the Penrith Tourist Information Centre (047) 32 2330, or the Blue Mountains Toµrist Accommodation and Tour Booking Service (047) 39 6318, 24-hour Information Hotline (047) 39 1177.

The Australian Bicentennial Air Show Organisation is planning a number of social functions for fly-in pilots and display participants on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights of the show; details will be available at the Aircraft Reception Centre at Schofields. To assist planning for the reception of aircraft flying in to Schofields, and so that information can be sent to fly-in participants, pilots are urged to register in advance with the Air Show Organisation. Names and addresses, with details of aircraft type arid registration and likely number of persons on board, should be sent to: Bicentennial Fly-in Co-ordinator, Australian Bicentennial Air Show, PO Box 338, Riverstone NSW 2765. Telephone: (02) 626 6211 Fax: (02) 626 5445.

Royal Australian Air Force, to present proposals for staging a major international air show as part of the Bicentenary celebrations.

The Schofields Flying Club, which operates from the nearby Schofields aerodrome, has staged seven highly successful national air shows since 1976. It had spent three months of concentrated study reviewing the situation and drafting its findings. These were approved by the Australian Cabinet and the long and detailed planning for the show began. A secretariat of full time professional staff- another first for Australian aviation- has been working on the event since 1985 and they are backed up by a volunteer organisation of some 600 enthusiasts.

Although the event has been assisted financially with some limited government funding through the Australian Bicentennial Authority, in all other respects it is required to operate as a commercially viable and self-supporting venture. It is not being underwritten and is required to cover its costs. Without taking into account the RAAF’s contribution and the large involvement of volunteer workers, the total cost of the show is expected to top $A3 million.

Any surpluses will be used to recompense the Schofields Flying Club Ltd, which is a non-profit co-operative of aviation enthusiasts, for the risk and enterprise it has invested in the project and to promote Australian aviation by way of an ‘Australian Aerospace Foundation’ that is being set up to administer any profit made on the event.

Be There in Style and Comfort

A range of spectator viewing and hospitality packages never before seen at an air show in Australia is being offered to both aviators and the general public attending the Australian Bicentennial Air Show.

These will range from the prestigious Gold Pass Club, with reserved grandstand seating and its own exclusive bistro, restaurant and bar, to a five day discount Bronze Pass.

“With its Aerospace Expo, Australian General Aviation Trade Fair and the extensive range of visiting military and civil aircraft, the Australian Bicentennial Air Show will be a truly international standard event,” said Administration Manager Ray Hand. “It is appropriate, therefore that we should offer spectator facilities of a standard that is the norm at major air shows overseas and at comparable international events in Australia, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. ”

Top of the range is the Gold Pass Club, which will offer VIP treatment to its members throughout their visit to the Air Show, starting even before they get there. “Gold Pass Club members will have their own specially reserved car parking area and VIP courtesy transfer to the show site will be provided,” said Ray Hand.

The package will also include admission to the Air Show, a reserved grandstand seat and full use of the exclusive executive-style Gold Pass Club enclosure. This will include a VIP lounge, the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith restaurant, the Bert Hinkler bar and a private courtyard bistro with its own coffee shop and garden seating. Full private toilet facilities will also be provided within the club enclosure.

Membership of the Gold Pass Club will cost $40. 00 per person per day on each of the three trade days, $80 per day on the two public days, or $220 for all five days.

The Australian Bicentennial Air Show Silver Pass also offers purchasers their own special car parking area, admission and a reserved grandstand seat, but does not include access to any of the private facilities. This will cost $30 per person per day for the trade days, $50 per day for the public days and $145 for a five day ticket.

For the more budget conscious, a five day discount Air Show Bronze Pass offering admission only will be available for $40; this pass is available only to pilots, aircraft owners and others involved in the airline and aviation industry. For ticketing enquiries contact the ABAS direct on (02) 626 6211 (Fax (02) 626 5445).