– Kreisha Ballantyne
Billed as "for aviators by aviators", AirVenture Australia debuted at Cessnock Airport in the Hunter Valley region of NSW on 20-22 September 2018.
Supported by RAAus and the Australian Parachuting Federation, AirVenture is co-ordinated by David Young.
“AirVenture showcased what our industry is capable of when everyone pulls in the same direction,” Young said. “Our hope for the future is that any industry body that didn’t attend join with us next year and make AirVenture bigger and better.”
With the reference to non-attending bodies (clearly aimed at AOPA and the SAAA) Young questioned the need for two separate airshows. “We invited the AOPA and the SAAA. We invited all the aviation groups. We would love to see one giant airshow,” he told Australian Flying.
His sentiments were echoed by RAAus CEO Michael Linke, who said: “In 2015, both RAAus and SAAA agreed to combine and work together to bring AirVenture to life. Both organisations agreed not to run NatFly or Ausfly. In 2016 we jointly presented Oz-Kosh at Narromine; in 2017 we jointly presented AirVenture at Narromine. In fact, just like RAAus, the SAAA is a founding beneficiary and member of the AirVenture trust.
"I can't answer why neither SAAA nor AOPA attended this year's event, despite being invited. One thing is for sure, AirVenture Australia will welcome anyone that wants to be part of the event."
AirVenture’s unique angle is to combine an airshow with seminars, trade and a focus on family. With a strong cross section of GA/RAAus, trade exhibitors included AvPlan EFB, Garmin, Bose, OzRunways, CASA, Bill Owen, Aviation Trader and a large exhibition from the RAAus.
Static displays included Australian aircraft manufacturer Jabiru, celebrating their 30th birthday (with a cake per day of the event), Anderson Aviation, Cirrus Australia, Foxbat and an impressive stand from KG Aviation. A total of seven aircraft were sold at the event.
Over 60 free seminars were held, with topics ranging from flight planning to practical application of weather forecasts through to aircraft refurbishment and maintenance. The general consensus amongst seminar speakers was that although the event numbers were smaller than anticipated, those who attended participated thoroughly in the seminars.
As one person, who asked to remain nameless, said, “I’d rather have 15 attendees interested enough to ask questions than a room of old blokes whose sole reason for attending is to have a snooze in the aircon!”
The airshow, held on the Saturday, featured Matt Hall, the RAAF, Paul Bennet’s Aerobatic Team, as well as Kingsley Just in the DR-107 and Mark Pracy in the L39.
Initial crowd estimates are:
- 2-3000 attended AirVenture Australia
- 1500 attended the 60 seminars
- 348 exhibitors; 55 exhibits
- 541 aircraft movements
- 270 aircraft flew in.
Canvassing the crowd regarding general aviation representation, Australian Flying found one gentleman who summed up the mood in a response similar to many.
“It’s rather like the recent liberal spill," he said, "most of us don’t give a hoot about the politics of organisations. We just want to enjoy our flying without any headaches!”