Huge Success for the European Airshow Council 10th Convention
The European Airshow Council (EAC) held its 10th annual Convention in Hasselt, Belgium, from February 24th to 26th, 2005.
A record number of more than 80 delegates from 20 countries including UK, Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Malta, Jordan, USA and many more countries, gathered in the Holiday Inn, Hasselt. Delegates were leading figures in the Airshow Industry, including organisers, air arms, Civil Aviation Authorities, display pilots, website specialists and aviation journalists and they gathered in an enthusiastic and friendly atmosphere.
The two day conference covered key subjects that will lead to important policy guidelines that will benefit all involved in air displays. The current European air scene consists of many individual events. The EAC is the unique organisation that brings together display representatives and regulators from nations across Europe and, in doing so, the EAC has the opportunity to meet future challenges from a position of growing strength, maturity and respect from across the various disciplines that make up the Industry as a whole. Speakers and forums discussed how to promote safety and broaden the capability of the EAC to influence the commonality of regulations and standardisation of procedures. To that end, the EAC Airshow Manual is to be updated and released to members during 2005.
Key subjects raised throughout the Convention included the new challenges : how to save on insurance costs which have rocketed since 9/11; how to preserve historic aircraft and return them to display condition (Dutch Catalina and British Vulcan); how to entertain the public with better flying programs; how to improve the effectiveness of Airshow and performer websites for their customers.
The secrets behind the Swiss Air Force’s successful show at Payerne were revealed during the Convention by its director, Col Ian Logan. He was presented with the Paul Bowen Trophy awarded to “the best Airshow organiser of 2004”, for his exceptional organisation to stage an Airshow that attracted 275,000 visitors. The experiences of organising other Airshows worldwide raised high interest, such as the new Al Ain Airshow in UAE and the Memorial displays in the Czech Republic. Delegates were told that Airshows worldwide attract no less than 14,000,000 spectators every year !
Top display pilots including Chris Margiotta flying the Harrier solo display, Pedro Solbes, Team Leader of the Spanish Patrulla Aguila and Jan Vandebosch, Belgian F-16 solo performer all joined the Convention to explain their most memorable experiences, all stressing that safety is first and foremost. Spectacular video footage of events were enjoyed by all delegates. Support from Breitling and Red Bull was appreciated by delegates who, despite a very full programme, found the time for deep discussions during the excellently arranged social events
To give those who missed the opportunity of being at the Convention, the Programme is shown below to wet appetities for the next time!
PROGRAMME FOR THE EAC CONVENTION 24-26 FEBRUARY 2005
“Successful and Safe – by luck or judgement?”
Friday 25 February
0900 Welcome Address – Senator Theo Kelchtermans – Member of the Belgium Parliament, Member of the Defence Committee and a pilot himself, opens the EAC Convention.
0920 Chairman’s Address – EAC Chairman, Gilbert Buekenberghs, Belgium.
0945 Convention Arrangements and Working Groups – EAC Board Executive, Bob Dixon, UK
0955 “Airshow Safety – A Historical Perspective” - Squadron Leader Andy Pawsey, RAF - commentator and air historian, reminds us of the times when ‘spectacle’ has been more important than ‘safety’.
1030 Coffee
1100 “Switzerland’s Airshow Air04” – Air04 Director - Colonel Ian Logan, currently Director of Air Traffic Management regulation Office and experienced fast jet pilot in the Swiss Air Force, describes organising what others have voted “the best Airshow of 2004”.
1200 “Cost a Fortune? – How can you save on insurance in 2005” Ray Gaiger, UK, of AON Insurance – a top insurance expert gives practical advice.
1230 Working Groups – see separate programme below
1300 Lunch – included in the Convention Fee.
1415 Working Groups – see separate programme below
1530 Coffee and special event.
1600 “Restoration of our Catalina PBY” – Kees Wilbrink, General Manager of the Dutch Catalina PBY Association, tells how the aircraft has been restored to display condition.
1615 “Leading Edge Web Sites” - Eugene Loj, USA, expert web project manager, gives practical advice on making the best use of an organisers or performers website.
1715 EAC Chairman, Gilbert Buekenberghs, closes session.
Working Groups- Organisers and Military Authorities: Discussion, Question & Answer Session on ‘obtaining foreign military aircraft participation at your Airshow’ Speakers included Military Authorities from the USA, UK, Italy and the Netherlan - Chaired by Gilbert Buekenberghs, Belgium, EAC Board Chairman
Performers: Opportunities and problems when working ‘out of country’ across Europe. Developing a Guideline Contract between Organisers and Performers - a concept prepared by the WG Chairman for discussion. - Chaired by Jacques Bothelin, France, EAC Board Member
Aviation Authorities: Developing a Regulatory Framework and EAC interaction with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Implications of the drive towards requiring commercial pilot qualifications by air displays performers. Mixing display flying and competition flying at the same event - when competitions are not subject to JAA Guidelines. - Chaired by Jan Vanderstraeten, Belgium, EAC Board Member
1830 Transport leaves Holiday Inn for Sanicole Aero Club- Delegates and spouses/partners assemble for drinks and the traditional, gourmet, Airshow Dinner at 1900 hours in the Sanicole Aero Club
- Dress for the Airshow Dinner is “Airshow Dress”- whatever you would wear at an Airshow, from flying suit to T-shirt!
- transport, drinks and dinner included in the Convention Fee.
Saturday 26 February
0900 “Harrier GR 7 Season - A performers view of Airshows in 2004” - Flight Lieutenant Mags’ Margiotta – Harrier Display Pilot who performed at most major Airshows in Europe in 2004.
0930 “My Most Memorable Lesson from the 2004 Display Season” - including Major Pedro Solbes, Team Leader of the Spanish Patrulla Aguila National Aerobatics Team and Commandant John Vandebosch, Belgian Air Force F-16 Display Pilot and Dr Robert Pleming, UK, Director ‘Vulcan to the Sky’
1000 “Beauties and burdens of organising Memorial Air Shows in the Czech Republic” – Karel Sedlacek, Czech Republic -an insider’s view from an experienced Airshow Organiser, and pilot of gliders, ultralights and powered aircraft.
1030 Coffee
1100 “The contribution that National Aerobatic Display Teams can make to Airshow safety” and “The Al Ain Aerobatics Show in the UAE – a new approach”- Pierre-Alain Antoine, France, aviation consultant and former Director of French Air Force display teams.
1130 “The EAC Website – Value for all” – Roger Archer, Malta. EAC Webmaster, challenges delegates to contribute, sustain and improve the EAC Website.
1150 “The Winglets Angels” – Didier Bougarel, France, once France’s youngest qualified muti-engine pilot and founder of the “Winglets”- the world’s first women’s aerobatic team.
1200 Highlight Speech - “Where Next?” – Rod Dean, former Head of General Aviation Department, UK CAA, and an experienced display pilot of a number of vintage jet aircraft, gives the highlight speech to the Convention.
1230 Close - EAC Chairman, Gilbert Buekenberghs, Belgium.
1300 Convention ends
Lunch – at delegates own choice of location and expense.