The 2011 Wide Bay Australia International Airshow will officially be launched today in Bundaberg.
First held in 2003, the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow (WBAIAS) is a not-for-profit event that supports and promotes the local Royal Flying Doctor Service and other charities within the Bundaberg Region.
The 2011 incarnation of the biennial, three-day event, to be held at Bundaberg Airport from Friday August 19 to Sunday August 21, will be headlined by an aerobatic display by Australian Red Bull Air Race pilot Matt Hall.
“Matt Hall will be an absolute highlight to our 2011 air program,” Peter Tuffield, Chairman of the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow Board, said. “He has dedicated his life to flying with more than 4000 hours in various aircraft types, including over 500 doing aerobatics. This will definitely be an aerobatic spectacular not to be missed.”
Hall, who spent almost two decades in the Royal Australian Air Force before becoming the most successful rookie in the history of the Red Bull Air Race World Championships, said he was honoured to be part of the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow.
“I have wanted to be part of the Wide Bay Australia International Airshow for a long time and to get this opportunity in 2011 is something I am very much looking forward to,” Hall said.
As well as securing Hall, the 2011 WBAIAS will also feature the inaugural ‘Barnstorming Bundaberg’, a "new style of aviation spectacular". A popular form of entertainment in the 1920s, barnstorming involves stunt pilots performing aerobatic maneuvers either individually or in groups called a ‘flying circus’. It is said to be the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight.
“The launch of Barnstorming Bundaberg brings new excitement to our air program and in 2011 the spectacular tricks and stunts will entertain and enthral the crowd,” Tuffield said.
Barnstorming Bundaberg has also been established as a platform for WBAIAS organisers to recognise the ongoing support of sponsors of the event, including major sponsor and local building society Wide Bay Australia LTD. Sponsors already committed to the event will be recognised at today’s launch with framed Barnstorming Bundaberg posters personally signed by Hall.
“Without Wide Bay Australia LTD we would not have an event,” Tuffield stressed. “Their ongoing commitment to this event is integral to its success.”
“This is our fourth sponsorship of the Airshow,” Wide Bay Australia LTD Managing Director Ron Hancock said. “As a local company we are delighted to lend our support to make this event occur and we urge other community and business organisations to provide their support to further develop and grow this major event.”
To keep up to date with the latest Wide Bay Australia International Airshow 2011 news click here.
The RAAF Roulettes perform at WBAIAS 2009. (Matt Fisher)
