Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

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deathbysarcasm
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Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by deathbysarcasm »

i don't think there's an existing thread for Avalon 2017 so thought i'd start one.

this is a long shot but has anyone been to RIAT in FRIAT and to Avalon in the gold pass grandstand? how do they compare?

i've only ever been to avalon in general admission and $500 for the three-day gold pass seems really pricey.

also, has anyone been to the trade show? i think i saw on the website that there are some flying displays on those days (and i assume some aircraft arrivals?). i could get a trade pass with my day job.

thanks.

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Red Dragon
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Red Dragon »

I have never done FRIAT but I have done RIAT for 20 years, so I'm pretty well aware of the ins and outs of it. I've been in Avalon on the "press pass" twice in 2013 and 2015 and too be honest comparing cost to quality, I don't think the customer gets his dollars worth compared to the FRIAT packages.

I have done the trade show in 2013, and the sales reps were happy to talk and hand out freebies, but as usual, if a potential customer comes into the chalet all sales reps/ designers/ chalet assistants disappear and leave you standing there. I did find the photo ops on the civvie aircraft better and they are more accommodating in allowing you on board to to view or photograph the interior. I spent a good 40 minutes with a senior sales rep of Gulfstream discussing the various types the USAF use. I found all the sales reps much more willing to talk than when they are in farnborough.

The best trade only "show" but with biggest airshow participation is the Thursday, as they had the warbird arrivals, and a few Jetstar arrivals/ departures (for the servicing facility at Avalon airport) along with a few statics and they did the whole practice run of the role demo (including firing blanks and explosions, all be they were smaller explosions than on show days) to a deserted 400 yard crowd line! So you could move around to your hearts content for the best angles going, and assess where to catch the full demo from on the show days.

Hope this helps

deathbysarcasm
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by deathbysarcasm »

Red Dragon wrote:I have never done FRIAT but I have done RIAT for 20 years, so I'm pretty well aware of the ins and outs of it. I've too be honest comparing cost to quality, I don't think the customer gets his dollars worth compared to the FRIAT packages.

That's what I was afraid people would say. Although I'm in Melbourne so at least I can get to Avalon in my car. RIAT is a 24-hour peak season flight to the UK...

Red Dragon wrote:The best trade only "show" but with biggest airshow participation is the Thursday...So you could move around to your hearts content for the best angles going, and assess where to catch the full demo from on the show days.


Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know! I think I'll just get the trade pass perhaps for Thursday and Friday and then go general admin during the weekend and drag my friends along (there's no way my friends would pay for gold passes).

Thanks.

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Red Dragon
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Red Dragon »

Assuming that the flying display will be the same type of RAAF role demo as seen in 2015, then I had about a 200 yard stretch of the front all to myself. I'm just sorry that I can't be there this time!

PS. If you'll have the press pass on Friday, go to the media cabin early on Friday morning and put your name down for the photographers minibus over to the live side (1 trip AM 1 trip PM) so you can get belly shots of the aircraft! But keep an eye out for sbeak passes by the Super Hornets, low passes (and waves) from the AP-3C crew and the C-17 demo. Also if they do a repeat of the WW1 dogfight, "fill your boots" they will e so low you'll hear the wind hitting the cloth!

Good luck :smile:

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Hi Guys my first post on UK air show review.Avalon is looking great this year.6xF-22s,2xgrowlers,4xRhinos,2xF-16,2xF-15sg from Singapore,2xA400.1from Malaysians and 1 from the RAF.7xclassic hornets.1xB1B.2xKC-135s,4xhawk.There r rumours of RAAF F-35s coming as well.The organisers should be commended for all there hard work.They have done a magnificent job.

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Red Dragon
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Red Dragon »

Darkstar wrote:Hi Guys my first post on UK air show review.Avalon is looking great this year.6xF-22s,2xgrowlers,4xRhinos,2xF-16,2xF-15sg from Singapore,2xA400.1from Malaysians and 1 from the RAF.7xclassic hornets.1xB1B.2xKC-135s,4xhawk.There r rumours of RAAF F-35s coming as well.The organisers should be commended for all there hard work.They have done a magnificent job.


It should also be the first Avalon appearance of a C-27J. The squadron personnel were there at a squadron stand selling T-shirts and apologising to everyone for not having an aircraft 'Wallaby 01' present at the show!

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Red Dragon,R u heading to the show?The RAAF rhino demo is a killer.There will be another few big announcements soon.I would like to get some votes off u guys on the lineup so far.22 is flying and with 6 Raptors at the show,that I think is a world first.There is an exercise in the Norther Territory a few weeks before the show.12 Raptors will be in country at the time.Im honoured to be on this forum and am happy to be asked questions.Thanks guys.

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Red Dragon
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Red Dragon »

Darkstar wrote:Red Dragon,R u heading to the show?The RAAF rhino demo is a killer.There will be another few big announcements soon.I would like to get some votes off u guys on the lineup so far.22 is flying and with 6 Raptors at the show,that I think is a world first.There is an exercise in the Norther Territory a few weeks before the show.12 Raptors will be in country at the time.I'm honoured to be on this forum and am happy to be asked questions.Thanks guys.


I live in the UK, near RAF Valley (same duties to your RAAF Pierce) and while I lived in Aussie I visited Avalon 2013 and then on holiday there I visited Avalon 2015 along with RAAF Townsville, Williamtown, Point Cook, RAAFA Bull Creek and NAS Nowra/ Albatross.

It is currently an impressive line up. However after the "so close so far" of the USMC Ospreys, USAF 18th FS aggressors in 2013 and the last minute change of the F-22 raptor status to static only and so close appearance of the RAAF C-27 in 2015 were major disappointments for me.

You also have the possibility of the first public airshow attendance of the RAAF P-8A. However I am jealous of the first appearance of a RAAF marked up Growler.

Any hardware coming from Singapore is a BIG draw, and if I was going I'd be looking firward to seeing them.

Any news on the purchasing of the Gulfstream ELINT aircraft?

I hope the show does pan out for you!

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Red Dragon,no Gulfstream there this year unfortunately,but I can tell u that everything is double confirmed this time.Like I said if the rumours r true and we get the F-35,it will be a cracking show.USAF arrive normally on the Saturday the week before the show starts.RAAF assets arrive on the Sunday.I don't have any ETAS yet tho.I will try and contact a guy who used to work there,and let u know if I can get any times.Happy New Year to all of you. :wave:

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Red Dragon
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Red Dragon »

Darkstar wrote:And am happy to be asked questions


If you collect serials, could you possibly PM me a list of the ADF/ US/ and other military assets serial numbers? Thanks

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Red Dragon,no problem mate.

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

The F-22s will be Alaskan jets.Does anyone know what fast jets will be at Aero India?Thanks

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Red Dragon
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Red Dragon »

Thanks Darkstar :-)

There doesn't seem to be much detail as to who/what will be present, but if the highlighted line below is true, then "all the toys will be out for display" I'd have thought.

Darkstar wrote:The F-22s will be Alaskan jets.Does anyone know what fast jets will be at Aero India?Thanks


Aero India – 2017 will be the US based Boeing and Lockheed Martin; Sweden based Saab AB; French based Dassault Aviation and Russian based Mikoyan and Sukohi. All the firms are showcasing their complete air power solutions in an effort to back a tender, under which India is planning to procure a foreign single-engine fighter.


https://iadnews.in/2017/01/bangalore-gears-up-for-aero-india-2017-over-600-aerospace-and-defence-companies-to-participate/#.WI0XBxuLTIU

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Thanks Red Dragon.Its very hard to get info on Arro India,but I do know of their fighter comp.Thanks again mate,and I will PM those serials to u before and during the show.There is so much coming to Avalon they don't know where to park everything.Not a bad problem to have.

AARDVARK
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by AARDVARK »

If everything pans out it should be a great show ,I lived in Oz and attended shows from 99 onwards (sure miss the pigs!).
Only issue I have is why the B1 isn't a flyer ,and why it's never operated directly from Avallon as a flyer in the past?
Let's hope the F22 Demo pilot has worked up and authorised a display on time for March
See you there ..

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Ardvaark,The B-1 when flying has always taken off from Avalon.Not quite sure why it isn't flying,but in the past it has always gone tech at some point.Just google B-1 at Avalon youtube and you will see it has always flown from Avalon.F-35 will be a mockup only.

AARDVARK
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by AARDVARK »

Darkstar wrote:Ardvaark,The B-1 when flying has always taken off from Avalon.Not quite sure why it isn't flying,but in the past it has always gone tech at some point.Just google B-1 at Avalon youtube and you will see it has always flown from Avalon.F-35 will be a mockup only.


Not true , I have seen it there (2003 by memory )one was on static the other came in from Amberley and performed a couple of flyby's !
Can't vouch for 2007 or 2011,didn't attend those shows ,in memory it's never taken off/ displayed and landed at Avalon !

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Google B-1 at Avalon 2011and its there.Maybe 2009 as well.No growlers for Avalon.Sorry it was a typo.

AARDVARK
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by AARDVARK »

Arrrr ok ,wasn't present at 2011 show and the day I went to 2009 show winds were very high and even Pigs didn't fly to my profound sadness as that was going to be the last time I was going to see them display

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

Hope to see you guys there.I can only make it Saturday.

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

RAAF F-35s AU 1 and AU 2 along with 2 RAAF Growlers are confirmed for the show.Wow that was a surprise.Congrats to the Avalon team.Great job guys.

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

RAAF 35s will arrive on the 3rd and depart on the Sunday.Static only.I know some of the team there,and they are so dedicated and hard working.They have put so much effort into this show,and should be thanked and patted on the back for their total,diligence and commitment to bring the best kit in the world.Thankyou again ASDU.

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

This lineup will be ranked as one of the best shows this year.F-15SGs,JSF,Raptors,B-1B,Growlers and Rhinos all together.Jet porn all the way.

AARDVARK
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by AARDVARK »

Darkstar are you working for Avalon PR lol :)

Darkstar
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Re: Australian International Airshow (Avalon) 2017

Post by Darkstar »

AARDVARK,I worked at Avalon in 2009.I was a volunteer in Air Ops.With Avalon being so far away from everything,the work and dedication of theses guys was amazing.I worked aside with one of the major air ops team(former RAF guy with exceptional qualifications) Trust me ,they want everything in the world to come down.All I can say I have seen this whole team in action ,and they are the best.The ring master does RIAT,Farnborough and a few others.We don't live in Europe where a 10-12 different countries are 30 mins away.

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