EUROPEAN AIRSHOWS: NEW TAKE OFF!
The European Airshow Council held its annual Convention in Hasselt, Belgium, from February 19th to 21st, 2004. Discussions throughout the Convention were lively and continued outside the formal sessions into the highly enjoyable Airshow dinner at the Sanicole Aero Club.
More than 60 delegates from 16 countries, including airshow organisers, aerobatic teams, individual display pilots, support services, “Flight Control Committees”, Military and Civil Aviation representatives from all over Europe attended the conference. Top UK, French, German and Malta organisers and performers shared their practice and knowledge of safety at air displays. They discussed improvements for “Flight Control Committees”, Crisis management of incidents and accidents during an Airshow and how display rules and requirements would be co-ordinated with the European Aviation Authorities.
Managing Directors from ILA Berlin (Germany), Duxford and Farnborough (UK), and France briefed delegates about methods they had introduced to improve both safety and public attendance at their own events.
Delegates agreed that flying displays in 2003 continued to be the best way to bring aviation to the public, but spectators are more demanding than ever. For the coming 2004 season, delegates to the Convention outlined a variety of improvements which would make air shows more attractive and thrilling for the public. Consumer specialists and experienced British and French commentators shared tips on how to satisfy visitors’ demands.
It was agreed that future air events must include new performers and exceptional topics. Displays by historic aircraft continued to be very popular. Of particular interest was the example of a new type of event at Salzburg during 2003 which combined planes, actors and special effects and delegates agreed that such innovative ideas could become a pattern for new shows.
Over the past few years the EAC has established itself as the unique forum to promote safety, creativity and excellence at Airshows throughout Europe. It represents the Airshow industry as a whole and it is ready to meet changing requirements and challenges in the future.
Below we have shown the list of subjects discused at the Convention. Information and speakers notes can be obtained from the EAC Executive Co-ordinator
“Safely Taking Airshows to a New Dimension”
"Crisis Management – Lessons from the Last 10 Years” – Ian Sheeley, manager of Emergency Incident Planning at the Royal International Air Tattoo, UK
“Coping with the Media in a Crisis” – Hugo Brooke, Media Consultant, UK
“Communicating with Your Audience” – Andrew Pawsey RAF, MOD Sponsored Events
"The Commentator and safety during Flying Displays"- Pierre-Alain Antoine – former display pilot and Manager of the Patrouille de France and commentator at major French Airshows, France
“The Flight Control Committee – its role, responsibilities and achievements” – Les Garside-Beattie, Chairman of a Flight safety Committee in UK and RAF Hawk Trainer Base Commander
“Authorisation of Low Level Displays” – Barry Tempest, Display pilot and ex-CAA
“The new European Aviation Authority and JAA” – Europe Airsports Technical Officer (Air Displays), James Black, UK
“Taurus Rubens; Flying Theatre; Dancing Planes”- special Guest speaker, Hubert Lepka, Austria
“Trials of an Airshow Director” - Ted Inman, Director, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK
“ILA 2004 – Berlin Air Show - A possible platform for airshow business” – Stefan Grave, Managing Director of ILA Berlin
"The Farnborough Air Show" - Tony Thomas, Manager Aircraft, SBAC Farnborough, UK
“Arrangements for Military Aircraft Airshow Participation” – speakers included: Larry Schleser, USAF, Air Combat Command - Ed de Bruijn, Head of RNLAF Air Display Office - Mike Fairburn, RAF Strike Command Participation Office
“My Most Memorable Lesson from the 2003 Display Season” - variety of Performers and Organisers from several countries including, Jacques Bothelin, France, Jameel Zayad, Jordan and Joe Ciliberti, Malta