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F-22 to fly at Avalon

written by australianaviation.com.au | January 23, 2013
The F-22 Raptor will be among a sizeable contingent of USAF aircraft on display at Avalon. (USAF)

The USAF has confirmed the F-22 Raptor will conduct its first ever aerial display at the Australian International Airshow in February-March.

The F-22 will be flown by F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team Chief Major Henry ‘Schadow’ Schantz from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

“This is a really special aircraft and it was so exciting to get it to Avalon in 2011,” Airshow CEO Ian Honnery said. “This time however the USAF is able to show off the aircraft’s amazing capability with flying demonstrations.”

The USAF will bring two F-22s to Avalon, one for the flight display and one which will be on static display. A USAF F-16 and C-17 will also take part in the flying display at Avalon.

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Comments (60)

  • Julian French

    says:

    Awesome!! I’m coming to see that

  • pez

    says:

    Cool. It’ll be great to see one of these in the air. It sounds so ‘snobby’ but I don’t know how many more F-16 displays I can see to be honest lol

  • Chris

    says:

    I’m really looking forward to seeing it in action!!

  • Peter

    says:

    We will see the aircraft Australia should be buying for the RAAF. It will be great to see in the flesh.

  • Raymond

    says:

    WOW! FANTASTIC-ABULOUS!!!

    At long last! Only an F-22 static display at Avalon 2011…

  • Dane

    says:

    It’ll be good to see it fly and what it performs. Unless the aircraft decides to have oxygen supply problems…

  • Dan

    says:

    This will be interesting.

  • Observer

    says:

    Hopefully the Vipers attending will be the Alaskian Aggresor SQD.

  • Observer

    says:

    Still this really is the only highlight to this years show, not much variety anymore,where are our local neighbors from up north do they even get invited to attend?

    Only RSAF send stuff and that’s there Super Pumas or PC-21’s because they are based here except for last airshow (F-16’s) and 2001 (KC-135) and 1995 (A-4K).

    Bloody hell we want more Airshows down under!
    Not the same old stuff time and time again!

  • pez

    says:

    The Alaskan agressors are in country until late March….so hopefully they can sneak one or two down for the static display, just to liven up the fighter park….it’s a bit dull since the Pig left.

  • david

    says:

    damm i missed it 2011 did anyone else notice the date.

  • John N

    says:

    Yes good to see the F22, but the best Airshow, in my opinion, was the 1988 Bicentennial at Richmond, What a great collection of aircraft types!

    Just about everything that was in service with the ADF, especially enjoyed the “dual” display by the Mirage and the “new” F/A18, really showed the stark differences between the two types, dump’n’burn by 3 F111’s.

    Visiting F15’s, Tornado F3’s, Sea Harriers, Kiwi A4’s, Nimrod, Hawk, a C5 and a An124 parked near each other, flyover of a B52 at the end of the day and lots and lots of different Warbirds too, Spitfire, Mustang, Sabre, etc, etc.

    And not to forget all the commercial aircraft, current (at that time) and vintage too.

    It almost felt like there was at least one of everything in Oz there just for that event.

    That was an Airshow to remember!

  • Observer

    says:

    John I was to young to remember 88, but for me the best airshow was Avalon 1995, we had an IL -76 Water bomber that dumped water just so happend there was a Sth west wind so the water got blown on every one. An Il-78 Midas, IL-96-400, Tu-204, An-24.

    From USAF a C-5, F-16,a Marines AH-1W, KC-135. Had the Kiwi A-4’s, Singapore A-4’s. A MIG-21, CASA 235, Malaysian hawk, French Alpha Jet,

    RAAF, Navy, Army had everything there at that time, couple Hercs from different country’s.

    But the best absolutely the best was the USAF ANG RF-4 Phantom and the Su-27, I don’t think except for the B-1 on take off have I heard a louder jet than the Phantom it was great. And the Flankers performance was awesome.

    1992 and 2001 were pretty good too.

  • Observer

    says:

    As regards this years show being ordinary, compared to ones previous,here’s a suggestion. the RAF are sending there KC-30 Voyger down, why not bring some fighters with the bloody thing!

    I think the organizers think, that if they throw a Qantas 747 with a couple GA aircraft in the middle of a large paddock they have an Airshow!

    It gets a bit lack luster after a while for the ones that have gone from the beginning…

  • Lindsay B

    says:

    Any idea what is coming in the way of civilian heavy metal? I saw an ACJ319 on the airshow’s website but if that is all we’re getting I’ll be pretty annoyed.

  • g

    says:

    clearly this is an indication that there are behind the scenes moves for Australia to buy some of these…either as a F35 stop gap…or as a replacement. Wonder how long it’ll be before we hear an announcement.

    What we must realise is that the air”show” is nothing more than a trade event. It’s primary aim is for manufacturers to sell their wares to Aussie, Asian business and government. The public days tacked at the end merely are the cherry on top. Go to a mid week trade day and you’ll see what I mean. If it were a true airshow, we’d have the Russians and their magnificent machines here too. it’s been YEARS since they’ve been present. I’ve lost interest in it, as it’s always the same thing.

  • Raymond

    says:

    Okay guys, I hear what you’re saying about Avalon becoming ordinary/dull/predictable etc., however to be fair don’t forget that this very article is about something new! Never before has an F-22 flown at Avalon! 🙂

    Yes, I agree – there should be some variation and I’m sure everyone would welcome some more non-Western platforms. Perhaps the IAF with their MiG’s or Sukhois, or Malaysia’s MiG’s – after all, we excercise with them as part of FPDA. Indonesia also sent some Sukhois to Darwin recently for an exercise…

  • Observer

    says:

    “G” if your talking about the F-22 being a stop Gap, what drugs are you smoking?

    Firstly…… Oh never mind couldn’t be botherd explaining.

    And Raymond it doesn’t mater to me if they are western or eastern platforms that attend I would just like to see our neighbors get involved a bit more…

  • Anon

    says:

    G – F-22 has been out of production for 2 years now…won’t be back!

    Think 5th generation…THAT’S why it’s here!

  • paul davis

    says:

    The team at ASDU invite everyone they can.the dedication they show is amazing.They want everything down here and more.Stop giving them such a hard time.Could u do better i dont think so.i smell russians coming.

  • EMU

    says:

    Outstanding , can’t wait to see that in action , What a brilliant jet that baby is 🙂

  • Barry

    says:

    Maybe they should put a Dreamliner on static display seeing as they are unlikely to be doing anything else!

  • Observer

    says:

    Paul how many times have you attended the Avalon Airshow?

  • paul davis

    says:

    i have attended each one of them.I have attended FIA andRIAT.Over all the shows they have fielded so many types of aircraft so do your homework.im sure you will be on beach road for arrivals time.Its very hard to bring every type of jet down.Do you know whats involved?Forward operation teams.Tankers in differant countries etc.

  • Observer

    says:

    Yes I do know what’s involved and I have done my homework I know exactly what aircraft and what years they’ve attended Paul, I can send you photos if you like. not having a go Paul but you would have to agree that there used to be a lot more variety of aircraft that have attended in the previous years, and fair enough there are budget restraints that are resticting all airforces and companys from displaying their hardwhere.

    But basically the same things have been sent since 2001, and basically the same Airforce’s have attended as well, so what im saying is, it would be good to get some more variety and invite local nations or even invite other nations from across the world that adds Flavour to the
    Show and is something we haven’t seen.

    And another thing Lets not compare it to other airshows if we are going to name drop, ill drop in that I’ve been to Edwards AFB open day, Miramar, MAKS 93, Farnborough, Wadington and RIAT twice, who cares!

    You can’t compare apples to oranges, you can’t compare Avalon to them, because they will beat Avalon hands down. But for once Airshows Downunder has got a different aircraft as their draw card other than a Missawa or Kadena based USAF fighter..

    And that’s the only thing I’m looking forwad to and also the JASDF KC-767….

    BUT GOD THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE VARIETY !!!!!

  • paul davis

    says:

    I understand this.Malaysia wanted to bring their SU 30 the ruskies would not support them.ASDU invite all our Asian neighbours but they dont come.I dont know why this is.As for other shows i was not comparing.Just telling u which ones i have been too.Russian Knights r in bangalore.Then they go to Malaysia in late march.dont be surprised if they come here before Langkawi.Rumor has it the 22 will be at Amberley one week before the show.

  • Dark Knight

    says:

    Observer – I would like to see your credentials on organsing such events, or maybe you are just a little too busy collecting your cheques at centrelink and posting rubbish on websites. You say you were too young to remember 1992, it sounds like your intellect still dates back to around that year. I suggest you attend champ, pay your small entrance fee of $50, and walk around and take in what a fantastic event that people worked so hard for, so you could enjoy the day!

  • Observer

    says:

    Ha ha ha, that was a good one dark knight but I think you will find John was talking about the bicentennial airshow that was in 88 mate, hence the bicentennial bit, you know 200 years since Cook landed, How about doing some proof reading so you don’t leave yourself open for a comeback….

    But let’s get back to the subject because there’s no need for me to stoop to your level..
    And I’ll actually be paying my $600.00 a day mate for corporate responsibilities, but ill think of you when ill be sitting in the flight deck of the BUFF and the KC-767, it will be like 2007, when I got an hour flight in the USN Diammondback Rhino…. Cheers.

    Paul I did hear about Malaysia, but to be honest and I’m not having a go,ill be surprised if we do get the Knights. Just things before have been promised or rumored to visit but in the end the same old stuff comes, example 3 times the B-2 has been rumored to come even once been written down as a certainty, what happend it didn’t show. Su-37 one year was confirmed it didn’t show, V-22 was confirmed it didn’t show fair enough that one all of a sudden was called up on for a operational requirement.

    But my point is and i know you know this but dont listen to rumors, wait and see, and believe it when you see it in the flesh.

  • paul davis

    says:

    Thankyou Dark Knight.Do you know anything we dont?Ifully agree with you.

  • paul davis

    says:

    Observer.Can i ask what your position,and u lucky person,a rhino flight.How did u score that if i can ask.thanks

  • Observer

    says:

    Unfortunately Paul I can not revel matters regarding employment, i know that sounds as a cop out but there is a reason my user name is observer. But as for the Rhino I can let you know. I’ve been attending the last 4 Airshows at Avalon for work commitments, before that since 92 for myself. in 2007 I was working closely with Ricardo Traven who at that time was the Cheif test pilot, and out here to display the Rhino, and we struck up a friendship if you call it that. Now he took a couple VIP people and even a reporter from this magazine. On the Thursday or Wednesday cant remember of the show he said what have you got on today, I said a couple of things he said can you spare a couple hours.
    I said yeah why, he said ill take you up. Totally didn’t expect it and I was really grateful for the experience. We headed South across to Leopold which is the township directly south of Avalon on the other side of the bay, took me out over closed airspace and showed off. then we headed down to Cape Ottway and back along the coast back to Avalon Best time of my life…

  • paul davis

    says:

    Observer,do you have photos of this.Please no offence intended.I know Ricardo quite well.I was helping the Boeing team when Boeing leased the Rhinos from the USN.His son is a very good pilot as well.I spoke to him about 14 months ago.he is working on the poseidon now.

  • Dark Knight

    says:

    Hmm an hour flight in a Rhino, sure sure, I have just come back from Pandora fighting the Avatar’s, I flew inverted the whole way home. Mate seriously, leave the pills alone, don’t snort the rack of white powder in front of you and drop the bottle of whiskey per night habit before you really tip over the edge! Paul only know what is on the website, for me that looks like a good show, to see the Raptor demo will be very special. It seems like my very good friend “observer” has been there and done it all, not sure why he would go and waste $600. Anyway thumbs up for a great effort from
    Avalon to secure the F-22, couldn’t have picked a better jet to attend! Seeing as observer is flying rhino’s you would think he would have all the information you could want!

  • Air Observer

    says:

    I’m envious Observer. Good write up.

  • Observer

    says:

    Dark Knight you crack me up (seriously) for all the criticism you dish out, and that I actually enjoy reading, you can’t get to me champ…
    Heard and seen worse mate, so all I can say is please keep going I’m having great time reading it, I’m actually laughing to your comments. thanks for pick me up champion I am on the come down from racking up a couple the other night. Least I’ve got bit of a life…
    And Paul I’m not offended, I know exactly what your thinking that’s fine.
    I have photos of personal photos in flight gear about to hop up into the Rhino, but as with all US fighters and other aircraft, you are not allowd to take a camera with you on the trip or on the ground USAF especially are quite fanatic about such, the B-1 was the same, allowed up no camera, F-16 is the same which I didn’t understand because there was nothing in there that was sensitive as such, but those were the rules.
    I’ll let you have an hour Dark Knight before you can think of another come back….

    Got anything yet?

  • Dark Knight

    says:

    Nah not much left in the tank mate, half your luck you hooked up on the weekend, gone are the days when you can crack half a pill and end up flying a rhino in 2007 with Ricardo Traven. Sharing is caring pal..would you like my P.O.Box?

  • Dark Knight

    says:

    “Air observer” firstly extremely original!! Another cat on drugs, what is this forum …lifeline!! “Observer” now jump off your computer, it is way past bedtime, mommy needs the computer to hook up to RSVP to locate your dad….however, the shortcut to this, would be to contact the broadmeadows football club, as he may reside there…or could it be the whole seniors football side!! The worrying thing here would be, I’m not even on drugs…onwards and upwards!!

  • Observer

    says:

    Oh mate don’t be like that, to me your a load your mum should’ve swallowed ….. Good Night sweet dreams…. xxxxx ooooo

  • John N

    says:

    Guys, its a bit early in the year for this silly stuff isn’t it?

    I certainly don’t want to see comments to articles being shut down again by AA because we all can’t play nice with each other, do you?

    I don’t want to see a repeat of the issues we all had at the end of last year with “you know who” from “you know where”, know what I mean?

    Anyway, just a suggestion is all, ok?

    Cheers,

    John

  • Observer

    says:

    Your right John, apologies to AA or anyone else that maybe offended by my comments or comments that led to this stupidity.

  • Air Observer

    says:

    Haha @ John N
    Yes, “that” comment thread was a doozie.

  • John N

    says:

    Air Observer,

    Doozie or not, and I’m not going to get into the middle of those particular comments, ok? The point I was making was that we are fortunate that in the AA topic forums we are pretty free of moderation, etc, for the most part, except for those issue late last year, and we all know what I mean.

    Let’s have plenty of “robust” debate (I’m all for that!), but let’s not put ourselves in a situation where the ability to comment on a thread gets shut down by AA or even worse, there is no opportunity to comment at all.

    Our fellow contributor, Observer, has made is apologies, which is good, (I personally wasn’t offended, just concerned about AA’s reaction is all), it’s all done and over, time to move on……

    Regards,

    John

  • paul davis

    says:

    I just dont know why people mock ASDU.Yes all the silly stuff is over,but they are constrained by polotics.The RAAF did not allow some foreign jets to come down bacause they wanted the Rhino to dominate.Why because the RAAF put a lot of funding in to the show.It is very frustrating for us and them.DARK KNIGHT,those posts were damned funny.Im still crying tears.To everyone enjoy the show.

  • Alec

    says:

    ACC hasn’t posted anything about Avalon on their F-22 demo schedule yet so i wouldn’t get too excited for those who want to see it fly. not that it’s got anything on the warbirds anyway which yet again will be in full force, well done Avalon team! can’t wait!

  • Dark Knight

    says:

    Ok guys enough is enough. I think we all know now that Observer got a tad confused about his ride in a superhornet with his flight in the “beach baron” ride at Luna Park. I would sincerely like to say I would not like to apologise to AA (very coincidental that AA could be Australian Aviation or Alcoholics Anonymous) after reading the magazine, they both make about as much sense as one another. Like always, I will saunder down the AA (Australian Aviation this time) tent to watch the stall holders beating their chest like the own the place, like I’ve said, all they really do is report yesterday’s news. So I am off to Pandora once again – Observer would you like a ride – and I wish everyone a great Avalon, including all the alcoholics at AA (Australian Aviation)

  • Anon

    says:

    Gee DK…thanks for that awesome contribution!

    Tell us all why you visit this site again?

  • paul davis

    says:

    Agressors wont be attending.

  • Jeroen

    says:

    Strong, very strong, very very strong rumours (from sources within the Russian Air Force) that The Russian Knights will perform at Avalon 2013…

  • paul davis

    says:

    The russians have cancelled.

  • paul davis

    says:

    22s are hickam jets

  • paul davis

    says:

    22s arrive on the 22nd feb.

  • Raymond

    says:

    Drat, that was some momentary excitement before a let-down! No Russian Knights? Now that would have been something different and spectacular!

    Maybe 2015 – or are dreams free?

  • paul davis

    says:

    16s b 52 arriving same day as the raptors.rhinos practice up at amberley on the 18th- 22nd feb.no times yet.

  • paul davis

    says:

    anyone there.

  • paul davis

    says:

    rhino practce times,18-22nd 1pm everyday.4 ship practice times 20-23 everyday at Amberley.

  • Ryan

    says:

    I wonder if they leave their test pilot back in America again. Nice looking jet but it was a waste to bring them here from Alaska via Japan to here for the 2011 show. The first time I went it was great plenty of different aircraft and the 2011 show was the worst. If I had my choice of Airshows this year Warbirds Down Under at Temora would take the cake.

  • paul davis

    says:

    demo f 22 pilot is at avalon now ryan.he is a very nice guy.Dont go then mate.

  • Raymond

    says:

    Ryan – if you read the article mate, it would be clear that the F-22 is performing an aerial display at Avalon (for the first time). In 2011, the USAF didn’t have an F-22 display pilot available to send here; obviously this time they do.

  • scoti

    says:

    I have been to every Avalon Airshow .
    I’m flying in again on Saturday .

    And YES 2011 was the worst one I’ve attended .
    IMHO its just the same stuff ,not much from overseas air-forces ,,bring back those Russians and lets see something different .

    Even the Temora shows were getting to be all the same old stuff again and again .
    Their new format also dosnt interest me ..

    Wing walking and little aircraft doing aerobatics ,,,,nah not for me .

    When you look at the Poms and the Yanks airshow line ups and then ours ….we realise how far away we are from the rest of the World ..and I do like that
    Regards

  • Raymond

    says:

    So what did everyone think of the Avalon F-22 display?

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