EUROPEAN AIRSHOW COUNCIL CONVENTION 2008 - a RECORD BREAKING SUCCESS

This was the Convention in 2004 ... 

                                                                        .... by 2008 the numbers nearly tripled!

If you missed the European Airshow Council Special Seminar and Convention last month in Hasselt - you missed a treat!  Some 25 nations were represented and the number of delegates increased over the previous year by 40%.  As always, the UK contingent was the largest of any nation and the responses to the questionnaire’ post-event’ indicated that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will return next year.

The theme of the Seminar and Convention was the ‘Safety of the Display Pilot’ but the varied and challenging programme also addressed other subjects of interest to everyone involved in the Airshow world.  The theme was discussed in the special pre-Convention seminar attended by  90 delegates and expanded in the main Convention which attracted 140 people.  Led by Major General Des Barker from South Africa (test pilot, senior SAAF officer and author of the definitive book analysing Airshow accidents - Zero Error Margin*) and ably supported by Dr David Stevenson, former USAF Officer and now at the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine (who delivered an excellent presentation on ‘Fatigue and Stress’) speakers from several countries spoke on a range of subjects - from changes needed to the display and procedures following the introduction of a replacement, new, Aerobatic aircraft by the Royal Jordanian Falcons Team to the challenges of being the RAF Typhoon display pilot.  The Presentations and discussions led to animated further discussions and late night social gatherings in the 4* Convention Hotel bar!  The EAC Chairman, Gilbert Buekenberghs, gave his special Award to Jacques Bothelin - Team Leader and Manager of the Breitling Jet Team - for his many years of dedication as a display pilot and advocate of safety and excellence in the performances of the Teams he has led over the years and Red Bull Air Races were recognised for mounting a new style of flying events throughout the world.

All speakers Presentations are being made available in the ‘members-only’ part of the EAC website.  However, an outline of the excellent Programme and the gallery of photographs of the event are on the main website, open to all, by accessing ‘Convention 2008’ from the Home Page.  You will see many people you recognise as the EAC is now becoming the ‘must attend’ event in the Airshow calendar.

The EAC intends to be active in the coming year in conjunction with the small international team ‘Human Factors Group’ which is discussing practical ways of contributing to Display Pilot safety, amongst expert pilots. The Website will act as a means of publicising these activities and also link with other websites which have forums to encourage the exchange of information internationally.  The EAC will strengthen links with national Airshow organisations including ICAS, ADAE and the Spanish organisation which was recently formed with encouragement and support from the EAC.  (The EAC recommends attendance at the ADAE Display Directors workshop to nations in continental Europe).  In addition, the EAC has taken steps to be represented on EU organisations and committees that have or may have influence on Airshow activities in the coming years.  The EAC also wants to ‘dust off’ the work it started on common regulations (JAA Guidelines) and continue to update them to assist all European nations and especially those mounting new Airshows in the future.  The EAC is keenly aware that an accident in any one nation can have a major ‘knock-on’ effect on all Airshows and it is vital to encourage ‘best practice’ by everyone - and this is where the more experienced and better regulated nations like the UK have an important role to play within the EAC.

To those of you who were at the EAC Convention in Hasselt 2008 - thank you for your attendance and contributions.  To those who have yet to attend a Convention - speak to those who have - and put

5-7 March 2009 in your diary now!

* Zero Error Margin - All delegates received a free Electronic copy of this lavishly illustrated 361 page book - by permission of the author - The CD was produced by the EAC.

   Presentations have been loaded into the Members-only area of this website - for downloading by delegates - members have been told how to access the 'members-only' part of the website - contact the Board Executive if you have not heard from the Webmaster by the e-mail Newsletter!

  The new password for the delegates at the 2008 Convention has been sent to each delegate because the Presentations are rnow eady for downloading.