More than 35 aircraft to participate in International Fleet Review

Gun Salute trial — The International Fleet Review's air displays will be a highlight of the event. (RAN)

In what promises to be one of the most spectacular celebrations of the International Fleet Review to be held between October 3 and 11, more than 35 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft will conduct formation flypasts over Sydney Harbour as a tribute to the Navy’s centenary of service.

Headlining the program will be a massed flypast on Saturday October 5. Aircraft will begin to assemble off the coast of Sydney at 1045, with fixed-wing aircraft gathering between Manly and Longreef and helicopters off Sydney Heads before forming-up to fly down the harbour passing over Fort Denison at 1120 and proceeding west over the Harbour Bridge.

Flying at between 1,000 and 1,500ft, Royal Australian Navy helicopters, RAAF fixed-wing aircraft, Australian Army helicopters and aircraft from the visiting nations will be participating.

Then, between 1415 and 1730 a ‘Salute to Navy’ air display involving Australian naval and military aircraft, supported by civil emergency services and heritage types will showcase Australia’s naval and maritime aviation, past and present. The air displays will be centred between the Harbour Bridge and Shark Island, but will also encompass the entrance to the Harbour from the Middle Head to Bradley’s Head. Aircraft will be flying as low as 500 feet (150 metres) over water giving spectators the closest possible view of more than 50 fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

The centenary celebrations get underway at 0945 on Friday October 4 when the Navy’s Helicopter Display Team and the RAAF Roulettes perform near Bradley’s Head on Sydney Harbour to coincide with the Ceremonial Fleet Entry. Seahawk helicopters will also be flying the White Ensign and the IFR flag to welcome the visiting ships to the celebrations.

The full program and details of participating aircraft are available at the International Fleet Review website.

Comments (7)

doug mackay DMP

September 23, 2013 at 5:25 pm

I’m thinking there could have been an airshow at HMAS Albatross, the same as we enjoyed for the 75th?

Glen

September 24, 2013 at 9:54 am

I only wish I could be there nothing like this happens in New Zealand

Jeff

September 24, 2013 at 5:11 pm

Hey Glen ! As an expat myself ,What you have to do is let nuclear ships back in and they will come!

Observer

September 24, 2013 at 5:51 pm

To bad the Russians have pulled out, ( as always) but thats due to operational requirements and the Canadian ships have pulled out as they collided with each other off Hawaii during an exercise.

John Harrison

October 1, 2013 at 5:13 pm

Looks good, Maybe there will be some sort of TV coverage for those who can’t make it to Sydney.

Azza

October 1, 2013 at 10:45 pm

Remember a great day on the Harbour for the 75th, this should be grat as well. The 875th pulling up alongside the Mighty Mo in an Army Lark and cruising around the fleet on display, great day.