Aircrews are practising their right stuff in the F/A-18F Super Hornet, C-17A ‘Globemaster III’ and KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport in preparation for the largest air show in the Southern Hemisphere, the Avalon Air show.
The aircraft from RAAF Amberley will join a contingent of other military aircraft from several countries along with civilian aircraft for a week at Avalon airfield west of Melbourne, Victoria in late February.
The awesome power of military aviation will take centre stage at AIRSHOW 2017. In all, almost 50 RAAF aircraft will take part in a series of high octane flying displays and fascinating ground exhibits. There will be fourteen jet fighter aircraft, Super Hornets, Classic Hornets and Hawks taking part in simulated combat manoeuvres and air warfare scenarios.
Heavy lift leviathans, Globemaster, Hercules and Spartan will also display their agility and handling qualities.
The RAAF will also bring its newest maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8 Poseidon, to the event and a host of multi role transport and tanker aircraft.
The Wedgetail (airborne early warning and battle control aircraft) will also play a key role in the Air Force’s flying displays.
The ever popular Roulettes, the RAAF’s own world class aerobatic team, will also appear.
In addition to its modern day aircraft, the Air Force will also display a number of its vintage aircraft and classic warbirds. The event will also feature the best collection of aerobatic daredevils ever to be gathered together for an Australian aviation event.
On the ground military re-enactment groups will turn back the pages of history.
F-22A ‘Raptor’
Among the high powered combat jet contingent will be no fewer than four F-22A Raptors.
In terms of speed, manoeuvrability, stealthiness and its ability to be effective in battle this state of the art jet is without peer.
This cutting edge piece of defence technology can “supercruise” at almost twice the speed of sound without engaging its afterburners.
At the airshow an F-22A will perform a high energy handling display and up close inspection will be available on the ground.
International Participation
Other US aircraft en route to Avalon include two F-16C Vipers. The F-16C simulated combat display will be one of the most exciting at the airshow.
They will also be sending a P-8A Poseidon and the B-1B Lancer high altitude bomber.
In all, there will be 14 aircraft, the largest US contingent to ever participate in an Australian International Airshow.
The United States is just one of seven overseas militaries bringing aircraft to the event.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force will bring two F-15 Strike Eagles, classified as a long-range strike fighter and is a true leviathan of its type.
Despite its size, the F-15SG is among the most manoeuvrable combat aircraft in the sky with a top speed of 2650 kilometres an hour or two-and-a-half times the speed of sound.
Barnstormers
National aerobatics champion Paul Bennet will return with one of the most thrilling and exciting routines ever seen at an Australian air show.
Bennet dazzled Airshow crowds in 2015 with his high energy solo aerobatic display in his Wolf Pitts Pro aircraft.
Now in 2017 he will bring his formation aerobatic team, the SkyAces, with him, which is Australia’s only high performance civilian aerobatic team.
The SkyAces will demonstrate absolute precision whilst doing formation loops and rolls less than two meters apart!
Other barnstorming performers will come from far afield, including the United States and Europe.
General Aviation
A record number of General Aviation and Airsport groups will also participate.Among them are owners clubs from throughout Australia.
They include the Bonanza Society, the Piper Society, the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association and the Sporting Aircraft Association of Australia.
Historic aircraft groups will also be well represented.
Among them are the Antique Aeroplane Association, The Aviation Historical Society of Australia and the Australian Warbird Association.
A large number of aviation museums will also be present including the Australian National Aviation Museum.
