Big bird: America’s Colonel Seth Bretscher strides away from a giant Boeing C-17 Globemaster at Avalon.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
All the numbers quoted at the launch of the 10th Avalon Airshow were big.
The week-long event expected 180,000 visitors to see 600 exhibitors and 550 aircraft, pouring $120 million into the regional and state economies.
The event also marks the 90th anniversary of the RAAF and centenary of the first passenger flight in Australia.
State Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Minister Richard Dalla-Riva officially opened the event on Tuesday.
Mr Dalla-Riva said the airshow showcased the best Australia had to offer just 20 kilometres from Geelong.
“The partnership with City of Greater Geelong has underpinned the airshow’s success,” he said.
“As we have seen, aviation plays a crucial role in community support during disasters such as Queensland floods and the Christchurch earthquake.”
Federal Defence Minister Steve Smith said the event was now a “must-do” event on the aviation and aerospace calendar.
Mr Smith used the airshow launch to announce the Federal Government would buy a fifth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
Delivery of the $200 million aircraft, part of a United States airforce mission to the airshow, was scheduled for later this year, he said.
An F-22 Raptor, the most advanced fighter plane in the world and boasting stealth technology, was also a popular attraction at the airshow this week.
The show ran industry-only trade sessions from Tuesday to Thursday, with the event open to the public from 2pm to 9.30pm this Friday and from 8am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday.
