The 2009 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition held over six days, Started Tuesday 10 March and continued untill on Sunday 15 March.

Aviation enthusiasts got to see two of the newest commercial big guns at the Australian International Airshow.

Qantas, and the country's newest International carrier V Australia, shown the tarmac at Avalon with their respective Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER.

The Airbus A380 with its double deck, wide body and four engines is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Qantas currently has three A380's in service, with another 17 on order.

Virgin Blue's International Arm, V Australia is the first Australian operator to receive an Aircraft Operators Certificate for a Boeing 777-300ER. The 777's inaugural commercial flight to Los Angeles is scheduled for the end of February.

The public were able to experience the enormous power of this giant carrier as it takes off from the flight line just metres away. Qantas displayed a 747-400 on display and open for public inspection on Sunday March 15th.

Virgin Blue's new International star, V Airline's, will have its new Boeing 777 wide body open for viewing at selected times on both Friday and Saturday of the Airshow.

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see both aircraft up close and personal on the tarmac at Avalon Airport for the visitors.

The Australian International Airshow staged at Avalon Airport near Geelong from March 13th to March 15th. Avalon 2009 presented with major support from its principal partners - The Australian Department of Defence, the Government of Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong.

Boeing had showcase and started an array March 10 at Avalon Airport Geelong in Victoria. Boeing is leading-edge technology, products, services and capabilities at the 2009 Australian International Airshow, "The Australian International Airshow provides an opportunity for Boeing to meet with the Australian Defence Force, regional customers, and partners to discuss how best to meet emerging needs," said Rick McCrary, vice president of Australia Business Development for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

"Boeing is an important part of the Australian aerospace and defense industry, and we are pleased to be a long-standing participant at this major show."

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, Boeing, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the U.S. Navy presented a briefing on the world's most advanced combat-proven, multirole strike fighter - the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Australia acquired 24 Super Hornets to enhance the RAAF's air combat capability. Boeing also provided an update on the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a multirole aircraft equipped with the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, is able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum.

In July 2007, the Australian Government was given 'first pass approval' to participate in the cooperative development of the P-8A Poseidon. The P-8A would replace the Royal Australian Navy's fleet of P-3C Orion aircraft.

The first flight of the P-8A is due in March 2009. Full-scale production at a rate of 12 to 18 aircraft a year is planned to commence in 2012. The planned initial operational capability (IOC) date is 2013.

Boeing's presence at the show include the static display and aerial demonstration of Australia's newest fighter aircraft - the F/A-18F Super Hornet - and the C-17 Globemaster III military transport. Other products on static display include the CH-47 Chinook medium-lift helicopter, ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Wedgetail AEW and C aircraft..

The Boeing exhibit featured the Vigilare air battle management system, a P-8 mission demonstrator console, and an F/A-18 simulator.

The 737 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system encompasses both the Boeing 737-700 aircraft platform and a variety of aircraft control and advanced radar systems. Consisting of components created by Boeing and Northrop Grumman, the 737 AEW&C represents the standard for future airborne early warning systems.

Boeing sponsored the public flying display and Night Alight Finale on Friday, March 13, which included a performance by the Super Hornet.

The Boeing Company is bringing out the ‘big guns’ which will shortly replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s current fleet of F-111s.

The Australian Government is spending $6 billion acquiring 24 Super Hornets to replace the F-111s. The aircraft will provide a transition to the introduction of the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter.

Australia is the first international Super Hornet customer, with the first Block II jet due off the production line in July this year.

According to Boeing News dated March 8th, 2009, the RAAF has 24 Super Hornets on order. Each of the more than 380 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets Boeing has delivered to the U.S. Navy has been delivered on or ahead of the original delivery timeline.

The Super Hornet was developed by Boeing during the mid-1990s and is now the centrepiece of US Navy and Marine aviation operations.

Helping get the Super Hornets to Australia is a massive KC-10 refueling tanker. This huge aircraft can carry almost 91 thousand kilograms of fuel.

Both the Super Hornets and the KC-10 displayed at the Airshow and will continue to display until 15th.

The Airshow is presented with major support from its principal partners – the Australian Department of Defence (especially the Royal Australian Air Force), the Government of Victoria, and the City of Greater Geelong.

Reported by Catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, March 14, 2009. Rev. March 17th, 2009.

References:

Boeing News Dated March 5, 2009:

Boeing News dated March 8th, 2009

Australian Internation Airshow Press Release 2009

Related Links.

Boeing

http://catch4all.com/positive/2006/SuperHornetF18.htm

Boeing Global Master III (C17)

http://catch4all.com/positive/Boeing/F18/boeing/BoeingF18SuperHornet_2007.html

Boeing P-8A

Boeing AEW&C

Wikipedia