Summer is a time for airshows; large and small. This summer two very large events are just one month apart. Although very different in size, scope, and audience, one could argue these two airshows are perhaps the most famous aviation events in the world today.
Last month the world’s commercial and military aviation industry gathered in Paris, France for the 51st Paris Airshow and AMT was there. Held at Paris-Le Bourget Airport every two years, it’s touted as the world's calendar-oldest air show having been established in 1909.
According to the official airshow website, this year’s event brought in 2,303 exhibitors from 48 countries. 130 aircraft were on display viewed by nearly 150,000 aviation professionals and over 200,000 general public visitors. Our website AviationPros.com provided daily news of announcements and business transactions from many airshow exhibitors.
Similar to previous airshows, much of the news coming from this year’s airshow highlighted commercial aircraft orders from the world’s manufacturers; in particular rivals Boeing and Airbus. Reports have stated that Airbus announced 421 firm and provisional orders and Boeing 331. However, these same reports also noted Boeing orders included more expensive widebody aircraft, and that the majority of aircraft announcements were commitments rather than firm orders.
The long awaited Bombardier C-Series family of aircraft was on display for the first time at Paris. The CS300 flew regularly powered by the noticeably quieter Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines.
A personal highlight was attending the 2015 Aerospace Media Dinner with my friends from Flight Safety Foundation. Held at the Aero Club de France, the Aerospace Media Dinner recognized aviation journalists and media organizations from around the world for their contributions to the aerospace industry.
On to Oshkosh
From large commercial and military aviation to the world’s largest gathering of general aviation aircraft and enthusiasts, the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015 is upon us. For one week in July the skies above Wittman Field in Oshkosh, WI, will be filled with aircraft of all sizes.
The first EAA fly-in as it was then called was held in 1953 in Milwaukee, WI. In 1959 the EAA fly-in moved to Rockford, IL, and in 1970 moved to Oshkosh, WI, where today approximately 500,000 attendees are able to see some 10,000 aircraft of all types.
This year’s featured aircraft anniversaries highlight the 75th anniversary of the Ercoupe, the 70th anniversary of the first test flight of the famous Pitts S-1, the 95th anniversary of Stinson Aircraft, as well as the 40th anniversary of the VariEze. Burt Rutan the innovative designer of this airplane will be honored on Tuesday July 21 during Rutan Legacy Day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.
See you at Oshkosh, Ron
