Features
Close encounters
By Andrew Stackpool

Volume 49, No. 5, April 05, 2007
BRIGADIER GENERAL Chuck Yaeger, the first man to break the sound barrier and WGCDR Linda Corbould, Air Force’s first female CO of an operational flying squadron, were among the many who ‘broke barriers’ at the Australian International Airshow.

Forty ADF aircraft and more than 600 supporting personnel provided the single largest contingent at the show, which was held at Avalon Airport in Victoria from March 20-25.

The theme of the airshow was ‘Breaking the Barriers’ and the ADF involvement and displays supported the theme.

The first three days were devoted to a wide range of demonstrations, displays and conferences for the defence and aviation industries; the show then came to life for the public over the weekend.

Everything aviation was available, from children’s toys to the real thing, from special joy flight and introductory flying lessons to aerial displays by powered gliders and slow-rolling Italian transport aircraft through to high-powered aerobatic aircraft which broke every law of flight.

Air Force aircraft on display included the C-17, F/A-18s, F-111s, C-130s, AP-3Cs, PC-9s (including the Roulettes), a CT-4 basic trainer, B-707 and Caribou. Aircraft yet to come were represented by USAF Super Hornets and a life-size mock-up of the JSF.

Air Force ground displays included the new air defence radar, ADGs with their new Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicle, the Air Force information stand, RAAF Museum and Recruiting.

Defence Task Group Commander GPCAPT Bob Ambler said preparations for the air show had been a major undertaking.

“We had Air Force Reservists working on this full-time for the last six months,” he said. “I have over 600 personnel from all the Services. We had a lot of air activity, aircraft from all our flying bases and we had many ground display elements.

“That’s a large commitment in terms of time and people resources, but it’s all come together well.”

GPCAPT Ambler alluded to the new platforms coming, particularly the JSF and Super Hornets, and said he was excited to think his young grandsons, who are fascinated with flying, might pilot one of those aircraft one day.

36SQN avionics technician LAC Jeff Dellow said the public response to the C-17 had been big.

“We’ve had heaps of people coming through,” he said. “There’s been a lot of interest; a steady stream.”

Australia’s lead Globemaster did not fly, but an olive-painted American sister did. Airborne, she proved surprisingly quiet and graceful.

On the flightline, 38SQN was no stranger to air shows. The display pilot FLTLT Brad Close had performed at previous shows.

“The air show puts together a lot of the normal flying we do day-to-day,” he said.

“We’re demonstrating a combination of very short take-offs and landings, really tight turns – things the aircraft is very good at – and reversing on the runway, which is something most aircraft can’t do.”

SQNLDR Mike Sullivan from 6SQN summed up Air Force’s attitude to the show when he invited visitors to come and see the aircraft.

“We love to be here,” he said.
COOL FUN: 36SQN aircraft technician LAC Andrew Davis is all smiles as he maintains the mobile air conditioning unit for the C-17 during the Australian International Airshow.

Photo by Steve Given
Inset: Thousands of visitors swarm around the static aircraft displays at the Avalon airfield.

Photo by AC Warren Derwent
TOUCH DOWN: An F/A-18 from 77SQN arrives in style at Avalon after performing an aerial display during the Australian International Airshow.

Photo by Timothy Austin from Woodville West, SA
MAKE WAY: Crowds flock to the static aircraft displays at Avalon Airport.

Photo by AC Warren Derwent
WOW FACTOR: An Italian C-27J performs an impressive barrel roll.

Photo by Timothy Austin
RED-HOT: Pyrotechnics light up thrilled crowds during simulated bombing runs by F-111s and F/A-18s.

Photo by AC Warren Derwent
HOT AND HEAVY: The popular ‘dump and burn’ routine from a 6SQN F-111 was a show-stopper during the Australian International Airshow at Avalon.

Photo by SGT Mick Bott
BOMB BANTER: From left, CPL Chis Moffat, FLTLT Dominic Walker and FLTLT Chrissie Riley from 6SQN have a friendly discussion over the placement of a display bomb at the show.

Photo by Steve Given
EAGLE EYE: A USAF F-15 Eagle, climbs out after a low-level, high-speed pass.

Photo by AC Warren Derwent
SPECIAL STOP-OVER: 77SQN XO SQNLDR Paul Simmons meets Captain Starlight and hospital patient Tyson Hubbard, 7, during a 77SQN visit to the Starlight Express room of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Photo by SGT Mick Bott
MARITIME MOMENT: Above from left, 10SQN’s FLGOFF Liam Colreavy, SGT Aaron Nelson-Mathews and FSGT Kyle Longhurst man the AP-3C display.

Photo by Steve Given
HERC HUNGRY: Below, crowds feed through a C-130J from 37SQN at the Avalon airfield.

Photo by AC Warren Derwent
LISTEN UP: 38SQN’s LAC Steven Byrne blocks the noise of an F/A-18 overhead while talking on his mobile phone from the top of a Caribou.

Photo by Steve Given
YES, MINISTER: Defence Minister Brendan Nelson chats to ground crew members from 77SQN during a visit to the Avalon flightline.

Photo by AC Warren Derwent
PERFORMERS: Above, Dan England from the 2005 Australian Idol TV show poses with the RAAF Roulettes at Avalon.

Photo by SGT Mick Bott
IN RESERVE: Right, No. 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron members WOFF Robert Balwin and SGT Mick Scott (in blues) man an F-111 display, with the help of OFFCDTs Justin and Rob McKeachie (in the cockpit).

Photo by Steve Given