EAC - European Airshow Council - Promoting Excellence and Safety at Airshows

Here you can see and download several documentation for the EAC Convention 2013 (in progress)

Only for registered users

Here you can see and download several documentation for the EAC Convention 2013

Program and documents of the Convention 2012 (In progress...)

Here you can find:

 *Public documents of EAC; All information concerning the future meeting of the EAC in Brussels;

*All Presentations of the diferents speakers in the EAC 2011 Convention.

The general theme of the 2010 EAC´s Convention was "Managing Resources to ensure safety and provide entertainment at Airshows"; Here you can find presentations under this theme:

PROGRAMME FOR THE EAC CONVENTION 25-27 FEBRUARY  2010  

Managing Resources to ensure safety and provide entertainment at Airshows!

 Main Convention

 The international nature of the Convention is demonstrated by the nationalities of the speakers from: Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, South Africa, the UK and the USA.

•  The challenge of getting funds from Sponsors for sports events – Jorgen Van Hellemont (Belgium) Director of Business Development Golazo Sports-Media-Entertainment;a major events specialist in Belgium speaks about the ways that the airshow industry could attract sponsorship.

 The growing popularity of seaside airshows in Europe 

• Growth of Airshows in Spain and the experiences of working with the local community – Pablo Gonzalez (Spain) Organiser of the Vigo and Málaga Airshow discusses the growth of popularity of seaside airshows in Spain and gives examples of ways to involve the local community with the event.      
• Forging Partnerships – the challenge of ‘partnership’ for a new seaside airshow – Jennifer Impett and Michele Robert (UK) Organisers of Bournemouth Air Festival speaks about the swiftly growing number of spectators at UK seaside airshows and

the challenges of attracting partners and involving them in the event

The importance and influence of commentators at an Airshow

•  The Commentator in an emergency incident – crowd control in an emergency – Tim Callaway (UK) IT specialist and consultant and commentator at ILA Berlin discussed the serious effects of crowd movement in the event of an incident.
• Bringing an extra dimension – Sean Maffett and Jonathan Ruffle (UK) of Airsound, jointly and with the use of video and sound, explore ways of informing and entertaining  the spectators at an Airshow
• The Commentator as “Director of Entertainment” – Uwe Ramerth (Germany) Director and organiser of various Airshows in Germany outlines his views on how the Commentator can orchestrate the activities of the performers and spectators to involve them in the emotion of the event.

The challenges of managing aerobatic teams – large and small

• The challenge of running a civilian professional jet team – Jacques Bothelin (France) Leader and manager of the Breitling Jet Team describes the tasks and challenges of managing and leading the world’s biggest civilian jet team.
• Building an Air Display with surprises – Franc Borin (Italy) Team Leader of Pioneer Team  - a light hearted look at experiences in a busy season culminating in a hectic Mediterranean tour.

Media contribution

• Expanding horizons – the use of video extravaganza to promote and educate – Ian Campbell (UK) PlanesTV speaks about the use of video to promote an airshow and provide revenue to the organiser.
• Lessons Learnt from the Display Season – Commandant Cédric  “Rût”  Ruet (France) French Air Force display pilot of Rafale describes the challenges of flying his high performance aircraft throughout a busy display season throughout Europe.. 

Regulating for safety

• The Spanish CAA’s new approach to ensure safety at Airshows – Eduardo  Juliá (Spain) describes how the Spanish CAA has set the standards for flight safety in Spain by  setting up a new organisation and publishing new laws to regulate Airshows.

 The influence of human factors on Airshow safety      

• South Africa’s approach to Air Safety – looking to work with Europe - Rikus Erasmus (South Africa) Chairman Air Show South Africa speaks about the South African approach to flight safety and the methods they are using to promote it.

100^th Anniversaries 

• Turkish Air Force 100th Anniversary Air Show – Colonel Mehmet Yalinalp (Turkey) Coordination Chief for 100^th Anniversary events talks about the ambitious plans of his country to mark the centenary of aviation.
• 100 years of Airshows in Germany / ILA Berlin in 2010 – ‘Conny’ Cornelius (Germany) Director of Flight Operations ILA Berlin Airshow speaks about the history of the Airshow and looks forward to the big anniversary this year. 

Special Extra Presentations

• Improving Display Flight Safety – Dudley Henriques (USA)  Although unable to present in person, Dudley’s experience and deep thinking have been respected for many years throughout the Airshow world and this presentation reflects some of his recent thoughts on flight safety.  (This is an electronic version of the Presentation given to all delegates in their welcome folder)

•  United States Air Force Participation in European Airshows – Larry Schleser (USA) Air Combat Command – a valuable document to explain the USAF arrangements for taking part in Airshows in Europe and the part played by USAFE in accepting requests for participation.

All the  presentations of the EAC convention 2009; Remember that it is only possible to download it if you are a EAC member; you can find here this documents:

PROGRAMME FOR THE EAC CONVENTION 2009

 100 Years of Airshows – from safety to marketing; have we made good progress?

Are we improving safety and learning lessons from experience?

• “100^th Anniversary of Airshows – a century of excitement and growing safety awareness” – Andy Pawsey (UK) introduces a visual production which highlights 100 Years of Airshows and sets the scene for the Convention.
• Keynote Address – General Peter Buyse (Belgium) Chief of Operations and Training of the Belgian Air Force speaks about the development of Airshows over the years drawing on his wide      aviation experience.
• Lessons Learnt (1) “From Warbirds to Red Bull Races” – Nigel Lamb (UK) shares his experiences as a display and race pilot and contrasts the skills required in each discipline
• Improving Safety (1) “Changing the Culture of Air Safety” – John Cudahy (USA) Chairman of ICAS on their safety initiatives in 2008.
• “Airshows, the EAC and the EU” – (Mr Diego Canga-Fano (Spain) EU Air Transport Minister
• Lessons Learnt (2) “The Airshow is cancelled” – Tim Prince (UK) discusses the challenges faced by RIAT in 2008.
• Lessons Learnt (3) “Minimising Display related accidents” – Anders Saether (Norway) President of the Scandinavian Historic Flight draws on his experiences as a display pilot and founder of the Flight over 30 years ago. (No presentation available from Speaker)
•  “A new approach to team aerobatics” – Chris Norton (UK) discusses the Blades innovative marketing and sponsorship strategies and the development of the Blades Aerobatic Team. (No presentation available from Speaker)
• Improving Safety (2) “Regulation and Standardisation - are we moving forward?” – James Black (UK) reports on pan European progress.
• Improving Safety (3) “After an incident and/or accident – stress management and counselling” – Hans Rahmann (Germany) of Stiftung Mayday (Mayday Foundation)

• Open Forum: including a proposal for a seminar in 2010 on “How to run a safer Airshow – a shared responsibility” - practical guidance on Display Directors, Safety Committees and Organisers responsibilities and action.
• Lesson Learnt (4) “Fast jet air displays in Europe and the USA – contrasting experiences” -  Capt Ralph ‘Sheik’ Aarts (Netherlands) RNLAF F-16 Display Pilot shares his lessons learnt after 2 seasons as a display pilot including Nellis AFB, USA during Aviation Nation 2008
• Lessons Learnt (5) “New Challenges from the Environment”- practical experiences including  Conny Cornelius (Germany) ILA Operations Director, on noise pollution limitations  and Jörg Thurnheer (Switzerland) Swiss CAA, on carbon emissions compensation measures.
• Improving Safety (4) “Aerobatics in the display of Warbirds” – Coert Munk (Netherlands) looks at the various techniques of displaying Warbirds from the viewpoint of the spectator.(No presentation available from Speaker)
• Improving Safety (5) Human Factors in Airshow Safety – Dr Steve Jarvis (Cranfield) (UK)member of the HFAWG (Human Factors Airshow Working Group) and using results of the research of Miltos Popadakis (MSc Research Student currently training a new F-16 Squadron in Greece) An important update on discussions and research in 2008 and future research.  

All the  presentations of the EAC convention 2008; Remember that it is only possible to download it if you are a EAC member.

Here you can find:

• Keynote Address – ‘Where to Now?’  - Major General Des Barker (South Africa) who is a  test pilot and senior officer in the South African Air Force.  He has also written the book “Zero  Error Margin” which examines Airshow accidents in detail.  A copy of the book is being made    available on CD with his kind permission.  He was the main speaker on Display Pilot safety at the Pre-Convention special seminar and he will continue the theme of pilot safety in his      presentation.
• ‘The USA Record of safety in 2007 - Safety Briefings’ – Gale Rawitzer (USA), a very  experienced Airshow ‘Air Boss’ and well known speaker on safety matters, will assess the        North American 2007 display season and throw light on the accidents that marred a very busy and successful programme of events in the USA
• ‘Fatigue and Stress at an Airshow’  - Dr Stevenson(UK) - formerly with the United States Air Force and now the Centre for Aviation Medicine, is hugely experienced in Aviation Medicine; he will discuss the effects of fatigue and stress upon the safety of the pilot‘
• The Investigation of Airshow Accidents’ - Julian Firth(UK) – display pilot of the DC-6 and   member of the UK AAIB will give a picture of the workings of the Aircraft       Accident  Investigation Branch (AAIB)-  with real event examples and an assessment  of whether regulations are adequate or need change
• ‘The challenge of introducing a new aerobatic aeroplane’  Colonel Mohammed Al Momani   (Jordan) is the Director of the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team.  He will speak about the challenges of new technology and adjustment to new capabilities and limitations as the RJF  took delivery of new aircraft before the start of the 2007 season.
• ‘A day in the life of a Display Inspector’ – Dave Evans (UK) – is in the General Aviation department of the UK Civil Aviation Authority with responsibility for Airshow guidance and       Display Authorisations; a pilot himself he speaks about his role in  watching the displays to maximise safety of both spectators and pilot
• ‘Lessons Learnt in the 2007 Display Season’ – Sqn Ldr Jim Walls (UK) - RAF Typhoon display pilot will give a frank assessment of the highs and lows of the display season in the       RAF’s newest front line fighter.
• ‘Vulcan airborne’ - Dr Robert Pleming(UK) will give an update, as the Project Director, following a successful first flight late in 2007, outlining the big challenges that lie ahead.
• ‘Military and Civil Partnerships – A recipe for Airshow Success?’ – Colin Hitchins (UK), Andy Pawsey (UK) and Charlie Adcock, Pyrotechnic specialist (UK) - using the first public display of the RAF’s Role Demonstration at Biggin Hill in 2007 as an example, the speakers will illustrate the process and pitfalls of establishing and maintaining a good  military/ Civil  relationship. 
• ‘Small Airfield – Big Show’ – Tom Sutterlin (Switzerland) who is Director of the Dittingen Airshow will emphasise the measures taken to ensure safety of performers and spectators alike. 
• ‘New Ideas for an Established Airshow’ -  Geoffrey Buekenberghs (Belgium) who has taken   over from his father, the EAC Chairman, as Director of the Sanicole International Airshow will outline his ideas for changes in the years to come 
• ‘New format of Airshows in Italy’ – Alberto Moretti (Italy, President of the Italian      Airshow Organisation, introduces a short film of new developments in Italian Airshows which       combine air and ground action to great effect. (No presentation available from Speaker)

• ‘The Red Bull Air Races approach to safety’ – Heinz Möller (Germany) of Red Bull Air Race GmbH, himself a former fast jet pilot will discuss how Red Bull protects its pilots safety and how they persuade local authorities to accept and have confidence in their safety procedures. (No presentation available from Speaker)

All the  presentations of the EAC convention 2009; Remember that it is only possible to download it if you are a EAC member and a registered user in the website; you can find here this documents:

EAC CONVENTION 15-17 FEBRUARY 2007

Theme:  Back to the Fundamentals of Airshow Activity – seeking safe and attractive airshows

What innovations are shaping the future of the Airshow world?

            Pre-Convention Seminar

“Are you properly organised? – have you got your act together?”  Interactive  presentations and discussions led by the UK team of Thilthorpe-Sheeley Associates: Ian Sheeley, former Air Traffic Controller and RIAT Emergency Services manager and Ray Thilthorpe, pilot and former Red Arrows manager, who  together organise and provide consultation to at least 12 UK Airshows.  The 3^rd team member is Lisa Duncan who was an organiser of the Southend Air Show and who has her own event Management  company.

 Convention 2007

Opening Address – Speaker from Belgium, Mr Ivo Belet, Member of the European Parliament

“The new Excitement – Red Bull Air Races”- speaker from Austria, Heinz Möller - Director Aviation, Red Bull Air Races World Series

“The role of Air Traffic Control in delivering an interesting and safe flying display” - speaker from             the UK, Ian Revell - Manchester International Airport Air Traffic Control and Royal International Air Tattoo Air Traffic Services

“Update on the big Warbird – The return of the Vulcan” –speaker from UK, Dr Robert      Pleming, Director the Vulcan Operating Company – ‘Vulcan to the Sky’

“The joys and trials of a solo Display Pilot in his travels across Europe”

             -speaker from Turkey, Ali Ozturk – display Pilot of ‘Purple Violet’

“Thunderbirds are Go! – The participation of US Military aircraft in Europe in 2007” –    - speaker from the USA, Lt Colonel Mike Kilbourn, United States Air Forces Europe

 “Belgium’s military aircraft participation in the coming season” – speaker from Belgium,1^stCC Alain Michiels, Belgian Air Force COMOPSAIR Airshow Support Team

 “The future of military participation in Airshows” – speakers from France and UK, Colonel (retired) Pierre-Alain Antoine, commentator and aviation consultant and Squadron Leader Andy Pawsey, commentator and member of RAF Events Team

 “Lessons learnt from the 2006 Display Season – including the Aire06 and Leeuwarden Experience”-            

speakers from  Spain and the Netherlands, Major Rafael Fernandez-Shaw, Assistant Director Social Relations and Communications Office Spanish Air Force and  Ed de Bruijn, Head of RNLAF Air Display Office and EAC Board Member

“Flying the F-16 solo display” –speaker from Belgium, Commandant Mickey Artiges, F-16       display pilot, Belgian Air Force

“The growth of new Airshows – the Al Ain Airshow” –speaker from Abu Dhabi, Colonel      Mohammed Bin Barrack Al Dhaheri, General Coordinator Al Ain Airshow

“How to operate rotary powered WW1 aircraft at airshows” –speaker from Sweden, Mikael Carlson, display pilot of old warbirds and veteran aircraft and rotary engine expert

“Machines, dance and theatre” - New concepts of entertainment including aviation in events - speaker from Austria, Hubert Lepka, Special and spectacular Event Producer and Director

Keynote Speaker:  “The future Challenges for Airshows and Display Flying” – speaker from UK  Sir John Allison, President of Europe Air Sports; member of EASA Advisory Board; highly  experienced display pilot..

Useful Documents for the Members of EAC:

This section contains documents about contingency planning for special events, research of crowd behaviour, health & safety of large crowds and the causes and prevention of crowd disasters. Please remember that these documents provide information and guidance – they have not been updated since their publication and you should contact their originators for amendments and further information.

Here you can download the Airshow Accidents reviews by Des Barker

Major General (retired) Des Barker, former South African Air Force test and demonstration pilot has written the annual airshow accident review for display pilots, airshow organisers and safety officers worldwide with the purpose of highlighting ongoing accident/incidents at airshows in an effort to improve airshow and display flying safety by considering lessons learned. 

 In 2003, he published a comprehensive book about Airshow flight safety which included detailed analyses of accidents over the previous 50 years – “Zero Error Margin.”  This 365 page book is still highly relevant, although sadly out of print, and the author has kindly allowed the EAC to make an electronic version of his book available to EAC Members.

 Available for download here are copies of each Annual Review issued since the publication of “Zero Error Margin” together with a more detailed random selection of Airshow Accidents over the past 100 years.

• Database of a random Selection of Airshow Accidents from 1908 to 2007
• 2005 Airshow Accidents review
• 2006 Airshow Accidents review
• 2007 Airshow Accidents review
• 2008 Airshow Accidents review
• 2009 Airshow Accidents review

Several and diferents utilities for airshows, as documents for briefings, slots, etc.

Articles with interest for the EAC Community; This articles can view but only registeres users can download.