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I went today. Superb organisation and management. Superb volunteers. The aircraft? As far as I can tell, the usual like the last one. Flying display? Well, it’s a trade day, but to my mind, and I could be wrong, the F35 didn’t seem as agile as an F18, but I stand to be corrected.

The pavilions? Full of stuff foreigners want to sell the ADF, mostly for killing more brown people. I noted what I think was the first “suicide drone” (Polish manufacture I think) that was on display. The people were mostly RAAF glad to get a day off who were happily busy talking to their ex RAAF mates who were now salesmen. Friendliest stand as usual was the Bureau of Meteorology.

Virtually SFA for GA apart from Cirrus, Diamond and business jets and high end helicopters. RAA and SAAA in attendance but not much going on. The same homebuilts and shiny LSAs as 2017. Perhaps it was the heat. There was a Rotax 915 on display at the Sling stand.

I was not disappointed that the ridiculous historic military re-enactment types still appear to be in attendance.

As for the heat, with cold bottled water at $4.00 each and no obvious free hydration stations that I could see, the ambulance service is going to have its hands full this weekend with heatstroke cases. The Kransky and sauerkraut ($10.00) was good.

As previously stated, I care not for the spotterish subtleties of C130 H vs. C17 tyre caps or whatever so having experienced the aviation equivalent of the groundhog day movie yet again I left after two hours - $67 +$4 +$10 poorer.

The general public will no doubt be thrilled on the weekend.

Hahahaha

The military-industrial complex. And Lockheed Martin? My my ! They have a history as far back as the F104 bribery scandals putting that totally unsuitable aircraft into the air forces of NATO. I imagine they a good employer of ex-service folks.

I also went today and guess who bumped into me? Wasn't sure at first but yes it was Dick Smith himself. Wasn't expecting that.

Agree, the volunteers were just awesome and the Bureau of Meteorology stand was the friendliest.

Really enjoyed the engagement this year by the people of the Australian forces, however I didn't get a chance to do my favourite chats with the yanks who just love coming down here. Unfortunately after doing a helicopter virtual reality sim I came out of it with severe motion sickness and the heat wasn't helping. I had to pull the plug and leave early.

Why did you waste yr time Sunny? You ought to know better!

I filled my water bottle yesterday from three different water trailers which had about 8 nozzles each.

Cattle. It was great to meet you.

Yep. I was there and agree it was well run. Lots of hard work by those involved.

But it it was hot! Maybe this global warming is happening!

I was going to go on Thursday but decided to go on Wednesday to avoid having a similar experience to Sunfish as he always tends to choose the wrong day.

I thought it was great. A relaxed feel with less people there. I spent around 3 hours in the pavilions conducting business with many other well dressed business-minded persons, from Defence and other aviation organisations. There are a lot of innovative and new products that I haven't seen before and many advances in the ATC and ATIS areas, along with higher end Defence products that were drawing crowds of high-ranking officers. I'm guessing that it is difficult for many of them to get out of Australia to trade shows due to the restrictions on using government money for travel, so Avalon is a good chance to see what's out there. Apparently much business takes place there.

I saw many "brown people" there in military uniform, including most of the security guards and gate personnel, but I didn't see any military hardware that seemed to be aimed towards any brown people.... most was designed with no discrimination in mind.

I then headed out to the military displays which were great and there were no lines to browse through the extra large cargo holds of our biggest aircraft.

I chatted with one of the largest aircraft importers in Australia, Foxbat, who had several aircraft there, including the new Alto. There were other LSA aircraft there too, including a new "Evolution" aircraft that boasted a 165 knot VNE, a 165 knot TAS at 75% power on a 115 Rotax 914 engine. I'm not too confident on those numbers! I've heard that 145 is more in-order, but a bit of poetic licence in advertising is the Australian way. There was also a newly arrived Chinese amphibious aircraft (complete with Chinese employees direct from China) that appeared to be modeled similarly to the Icon A4, but I did hear a figure in excess of $300k for that one. I believe it was assembled and test flown out of Tyabb during the last week.

I also saw the Cirrus aircraft including the Vision Jet, new Vulcanair Single, twin and also numerous new impressive helicopters from Bell and the Guimbal Cabri helicopter.

There was building representation as private GA aircraft were arriving for the GA areas including owner associations, SAAA and also the RA-Aus, however admittedly it was a little early for some of them, although the RA-Aus and SAAA were full steam ahead.

All in all a good day out with plenty of places to drink free water from filtered water fountain trailers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Smith (Post 10402608)

Cattle. It was great to meet you.

Yep. I was there and agree it was well run. Lots of hard work by those involved.

But it it was hot! Maybe this global warming is happening!

You Sydney-siders can't handle the heat Dick. Just another day in Victorian paradise :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunfish (Post 10402532)

I was not disappointed that the ridiculous historic military re-enactment types still appear to be in attendance.

Whilst not my cup of tea I have no idea why you feel the need to belittle people with a hobby you're not fond of. Do they hurt anyone? No. Do they entertain or educate? Possibly.

You went to something with such a closed mind that your self fulfilling prophecy came true. Congrats! You likely managed to be the least happy person at something many enjoy attending.

CBR, Iwas trying to learn something, not watch a * & ing fashion parade.

Quote:

Cattle. It was great to meet you.

Yep. I was there and agree it was well run. Lots of hard work by those involved.

But it it was hot! Maybe this global warming is happening!

Unless it was 48 degrees it is not global warming, just summer. FFS.

Gee I wonder why young people aren’t interested in aviation anymore?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunfish (Post 10402532)

I was not disappointed that the ridiculous historic military re-enactment types still appear to be in attendance.

You were not disappointed that they were there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick

Cattle. It was great to meet you.

So, was it...
"Gday, you must be Dick Smith! I'm Cattletruck, from Prune, but I'm not going to tell you my real name!". :)

Much modern technology but on the military stands my highlight was the KC135 Stratotanker. One of the crew, James and another young female USAF pilot kindly showed us through the magnificent machine built in 1957 (three years before the neighbouring B52!) Controls are all cables and pulleys except for rudder boost. No cockpit aircon but just a cockpit temperature gauge which peaks at 40degs C, after which they use a portable oven thermometer! Power from the CFM56 engines to spare with all take off calculations based on three engines only. They came from California with the Raptors with a diversion around a cyclone (Oma?) to Japan. Loved the passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of these two young ambassadors of the USAF.

Anyone get a good ramp checking from CASA?

Pretty brief - introduced themselves, asked for my ARN so they could check licence/medical - and that was it.

All that wasted time making sure I had a fuel log, proper (manual) W&B, marked up flight plan - even a signed MR!

Even had up-to date charts as a backup to my backup iPad running AvPlan - might have needed them as with the heat yesterday my main iPad shut down as we were passing YMPC on the way back - and the backup failed similarly a few minutes later. Not a problem, can see home from there - but a reminder about technology.

I would like to reiterate that the volunteers did an absolutely fantastic job considering the heat stress they had to endure. I tip my hat to you all and your valuable efforts to make the day special which is recognised not just by myself but by many other people in the aviation community. Thank you.

Capn Bloggs
Children are not allowed on trade day :)

Engineering are going to be busy. 2 B52’s gone tech, C17 ate a bird for lunch and grounded, aerobatic pyrotechnic aircraft set its own self on fire last night. Jetstar also had a bird strike in addition to the other 320 they have gone tech down there already! Oh and who took out some of the runway lights.