The 2019 Airshow was held between 26 February and 3 March and brought together an unprecedented display of emerging and current technologies, as well as a cavalcade of up to the minute, technologically equipped aircraft, the likes of which have never been seen before assembled in Australia.
The 2017 show held between 28 February and 5 March certainly lived up to its 'Air Power In Action' theme! No fewer than five new RAAF aircraft made their debuts, to make this one of the most memorable in the show’s history. The RAAF's only two (thus far) Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters flew in specially from their training duties in the USA to perform, and returned immediately after the show. They were joined by the first Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. To have two brand new combat jets appear simultaneously in the skies over Avalon was a very special treat!
The 2015 show's main theme – 'Heroes Of The Sky' – paid tribute to ANZAC and the pioneers of military aviation, who began fighting in the air for the first time a century ago in World War 1. The show also provided the first significant observance of the Gallipoli campaign in its centenary year. Visitors were treated to the sights and sounds of a number of replica and reproduction World War I aircraft in the air and on static display.
The 2013 show, held in late February/early March, had the theme 'The Power of Flight', This was perfectly illustrated by the major attraction, the USAF's Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor fighter, which stunned the crowd with its 'impossible' gravity defying manoeuvres! Visitors to Avalon were very lucky to see the Raptor, especially since US budget woes had all but completely cut all of that nation’s military participation in any air shows anywhere in the world at that time. Such was the importance of the Airshow that Avalon’s patrons were the only public to see the Raptor – or any other US military aircraft – at an air show in 2013. A USAF F-16 also displayed, while a B-52 and KC-135 tanker were in the static park.
Three anniversaries were celebrated at the 2011 Airshow: the RAAF's 90th birthday, the 75th anniversary of the Supermarine Spitfire's first flight (which occurred on 5 March, the Saturday of the show), and the fact that 2011 was the 10th presentation of the Airshow itself! The RAAF's birthday was the centrepiece of the show - and it was celebrated in style with most current assets either in the air or on static display, supported by a good number of warbirds and other historic aircraft which had been part of the RAAF's rich heritage over nine decades. The RAAF's new combat aircraft, the F/A-18F Super Hornet, made its Avalon debut to the gasps and acclaim of the watching crowds!
The theme of the 2009 Airshow was 'Towards Tomorrow' - emphasising technology through recent developments and future directions. It also celebrated the 40th anniversary of man's first landing on the moon and, to the delight of the Airshow patrons, our special guest was Australia’s first astronaut, Dr Andy Thomas. For many, the display highlight was the pair of USAF Rockwell B-1B Lancer supersonic swing-wing bombers - one flying and one on static display.
'Breaking The Barriers' was the theme for the 2007 Airshow. It marked the 60th anniversary of Charles E 'Chuck' Yeager becoming the first man to officially pilot an aircraft past the speed of sound in his Bell X-1. General Yeager was the show's guest of honour and a full scale mockup of the X-1 was especially constructed for the occasion! We also celebrated the US Air Force's 60th birthday as part of the Airshow’s displays.
Held in March, the 2005 show's theme was 'The Shape of Things to Come' - and it proved to be the biggest yet! The Expo boasted a record 500-plus exhibitors from 22 countries, 11 associated major conferences, along with media briefings, workshops and other events. Hundreds of accredited media, including a large international contingent, descended on Avalon to cover the event. This, and the record number of trade exhibitors, reinforced the fact that the Airshow was gathering momentum in the corporate aerospace world, especially in the area of defence. The aircraft enthusiasts and families also turned up in droves and the public days drew big, enthusiastic crowds.
'Celebrating the Centenary of Powered Flight' was the official theme of the 2003 show, 100 years after the Wright brothers changes the course of history at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on 17 December 1903. A lot had happened in the two years since the previous show. Ansett has disappeared from Australian skies and Virgin Blue has entered the scene. The tragic events of 11 September 2001 has changed everything and prompted war in Afghanistan. But much more was about to occur. Preparations for the US-led invasions of Iraq were well underway in February 2003, including participation by all three Australian services. The battle for Iraq started just a month after the show and the uncertainty created by this – especially for the airlines- was exacerbated at the same time by the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.
The 2001 show was a blockbuster! Marking the official Centenary of Federation, and celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation on 31 March 1921. The RAAF's birthday celebrations provided the overriding theme of this Airshow, backed up by a strong military presence, notably from the USA and Britain who joined in the celebrations. Visitors were excited to see a B-1B Lancer, B-52, two F/A-18F Super Hornets, two F-15C eagles, two F-16Cs, a C-17, Nimrod, two Tornado GR.1s, a VC10 tanker, and two RAF Hercules, plus others from the USAF and RAAF. A Eurocopter Tiger flew and the RAAF display, both on the ground and in the air, was a fascinating showcase of its assets through the decades.
The Australian International Airshow achieved a level of maturity in 1999 which indicated it had arrived on the world scene as a significant player. The timing could have posed a problem – the Asian economic crisis was influencing regional events – but the show's reputation carried it above that and attracted the largest exhibitor and visitor numbers in its history. Again held in February, patrons enjoyed the boom and zoom of the aerial displays against the backdrop of perfect summer weather!
By its third outing at Avalon, the Airshow event was starting to gain momentum – and recognition. Visiting aircraft included a USAF F-16, KC-135 and C-17, plus a Canadian CP-140 Aurora (Orion), a USMC Super Cobra (part of a sales push to the ADF by Bell), an Ansett A320 in 'Sydney 2000' Olympics colours, and a pair of Canadair CL-215 Super Scooper firebombers. A highlight was the first appearance at Avalon of the HARS Super Constellation after its restoration in the USA and flight to Australia the previous year. Another was the Night Alight display on the Friday evening, a smorgasbord of sights, sounds, light and dark culminating in the spectacular F-111 'dump and burn' in the darkness.
If the weather-affected 1992 show had been in some ways the 'dress rehearsal', then 1995 was a successful 'opening night'! The first of the biennial events, the 1995 show was moved to March to take advantage of the more benign weather typically expected at that time of the year. The Aerospace Expo was expanded to cater for a big increase in exhibitors and a fuller flying display kept the crowd thrilled and happy. A highlight was the evening Sky Show Finale combining aircraft, light and sound against a backdrop of gathering darkness. This concept would be developed, in time, into the dramatic Night Alight display which would become the Friday evening showpiece of the Airshow.
The inaugural Australian International Airshow blasted on to the Australian event landscape in October 1992.
