The first air display at Avalon was in 1957 when the head of the Port Melbourne Government Aircraft Factories Geoff J. Churcher OAM decided to put on a display for the employees. As the employees at the factory only ever saw individual parts of aircraft it was decided to mount a flying display at Avalon so the employees could see the final result of their work.
In February 1991 a second air show was held at Richmond, to celebrate the RAAF's 70th Anniversary. This was the last air show run by the remnants of Schoe's, who provided the prime impetus to get the Aerospace Foundation of Australia up and running. The foundation was responsible for forming AirShows DownUnder.
With the success of those two New South Wales shows plans were laid for the Avalon airshow.
1992 – Moving to Avalon
In 1992, the Australian International Airshow was moved to Avalon Airport near Geelong. Held during October, the show coincided with the wettest spring in Victoria's history.[4] The show organisers nearly cancelled it due to the wet, but the rain stopped just before the opening day. The two public days of the 1992 show were attended by about 175,000 people.[4] There were 226 exhibitors from 12 countries.[4] The move to Avalon in 1992 was hoped to be the first of many locations, however the weather caused financial difficulties that resulted in the air show remaining at Avalon for many years.
Besides the weather, further problems presented themselves, including the absence of the MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 promised by the Russians.[4] However, other aircraft were present, notably the enormous Antonov An-124 Ruslan and Ilyushin Il-86. Also on display were warbirds, and the Airbus A340, which had been in commercial service for only seven months. The show featured significant RAAF participation.[4]
1995
The 1995 show was the second edition to take place at Avalon. The date was moved from October to 21–26 March, taking advantage of finer weather during autumn.[4]
The 1997 Avalon air show was held between 18 and 23 February. In contrast to the 1992 show, which was the wettest spring in Victorian history, 1997 took place during the hottest February ever.[5] Attendance was 171,168 and a $63 million contribution to the Victorian economy.[6]
There were 472 exhibitors from 26 countries in 1999. It was opened by the-then Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett on 16 February 1999.[8] The USAF again had a heavy presence, contributing two F-16Cs, a KC-135R tanker, a C-5 Galaxy, and a B-52.[7] The latter was parked at the end of the runway, ready to take off at a moment's notice for deployment in Iraq.[7] The RAAF displayed its new Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules, even though it was yet to enter service.[7]Eurofighter sent a mock-up of its Typhoon, promoting the aircraft as prospective replacement for the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornet.[9] Business jets, warbirds and historic aircraft were featured heavily, among which were five North American P-51 Mustangs.[9]
Novelty acts included wing-walking as part of the performances under the name "Stars of Oshkosh". Bob Hoover returned to perform in his Aero Commander.[9]
A Chinese military delegation was given a tour of the air show. The 2003 edition took place in the lead-up to the Iraq War which began the following month and appearances by a number of American aircraft scheduled to join in the show such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk were cancelled, due to possible anti-war protests. There was a model of an F-35 Lightning II, made of wood and fibreglass. An anti-war protest did take place outside, and Gavan O'Connor, the local parliament member boycotted the airshow.[2]
2005
The theme of the 2005 show, held from 15 to 20 March, was "The Shape of Things to Come". This edition experienced increased business activity, as there were more than 500 exhibitors from 22 countries and 11 major conferences.[10] The air show increased Geelong's economy by $15.6 million.[11]
It featured many planes ranging from ultralights to large military aircraft, such as the F/A-18 Hornet, F-15 Eagle, B-52 Stratofortress (a surprise flyover), F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, P-51 Mustang, C-130J, Seahawk, Caribou, Orion and CAC Boomerang[failed verification].[10] A specially painted RAAF F/A-18 Hornet was present was the show, commemorating 20 years of service with Australia
2007
The theme of the 2007 air show, held between 20 and 25 March, was "Breaking the Barriers", as it was the 60th anniversary of the breaking of the sound barrier by Charles "Chuck" Yeager; Yeager himself was the guest of honour at the show,[12][13] and a full-scale mockup of the Bell X-1 was specially constructed.[10] During the show, 611 companies from 20 countries exhibited their products. The total for featured aircraft during the show was 457, during which 182,769 visitors attended.[14] This edition injected A$120 million into the Victorian economy, creating 1,800 jobs.[15]
The show also saw the appearance of three-time world aerobatic champion Yurgis Kairis, test pilot Ricardo Traven, who piloted the F/A-18, and American stunt pilot Jim LeRoy.[12] Jim would die on 28 July later in the year during a helicopter transit following a crash at the Vectren Dayton Air Show.
Bob Carlton made his debut appearance in the Super Salto Jet Sailplane.
2009
The 2009 air show was held from 10 to 15 March.[17] Trade sessions ran from Tuesday until 2 pm Friday, after which it was opened for the public until Sunday. The theme of this edition was "Towards Tomorrow". Andy Thomas, an Australian-born astronaut, was the guest of honour; the edition also remembered the 40th anniversary of the first Moon landing. Andy grew up in Adelaide, while the American space programme was still in its infancy.[15] The edition would be the last featuring the F-111 Aardvark, as the RAAF retired the aircraft in December 2010, replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Approximately 165,000 people turned out to the six-day-long event.[18]
Aircraft that visited the show were Qantas' Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, the latter of which was first delivered the previous year. V Australia, a new Brisbane-based competitor in the international market, contributed with its Boeing 777-300ER.[19] Also on display were the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, C-17, B1-B Lancer, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, F-111 Aardvark, and the KC-10 Extender.
The wall of fire display was not present this year, out of respect to the many people affected by the Victorian bushfires. Furthermore, the show would donate $250,000 to fund research into aviation technology aimed at bushfire management.[19] Much of the Sunday show was cancelled due to severe weather, with several tents and temporary structures blown away by strong winds and extensive damage to some visiting aircraft. In total, 562 part took in the show, with an attendance of 170,045 during the entire show.[20] Ticket sales were the same as 2007 despite the windy and rainy weather.[19] The 2009 show boosted the Victorian economy by $121 million.[citation needed] The following year, officials announced the Australian International Airshow would remain at Avalon until 2015.
2011
The 2011 Australian International Airshow was the tenth edition to take place at Avalon. It celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force and the centenary of the first passenger flight in Australia.[21] The show ran from 1 to 6 March and opened to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.[22] The "Friday Night Alight" show featured, for the first time, a laser show and flare drops, during which military jets and gliders performed aerobatic displays.[23] More than 195,000 attended the event.[24]
There were about 100 aircraft, including bombers, fighters and surveillance aircraft present at this edition. The show saw the premiere of the most advanced stealth air superiority fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Two aircraft, based at Elmendorf Air Force Base, were on static display for the first time in Australia, .[25][26][27] They did not perform because the qualified display pilot was not present.[28] A highly detailed model of the still under development Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter was on static display beside a classic F/A-18 Hornet. Also present were a B-1B Lancer, KC-135, KC-10, F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-17 Globemaster III, MH-60R Sea Hawk, B-52 bomber, the RAAF's C130H and J Hercules, F/A-18 Classic Hornet and Super Hornets and Boeing 737 AEW&C "Wedgetail", a Royal Air Force's E-3 Sentry, as well as aircraft and flying performances from New Zealand, France, Italy and Singapore.[29][30]
The RAAF Roulettes were also present with flying displays towards the end of the show. Helicopters were present from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy, including the new MRH-90, along with legacy Blackhawks, Sea King and Squirrel models. A Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was scheduled to participate, but was not present.[31] Conversely, a restored Lockheed Constellation was present. A large contingency of executive jets were also on display, most notably the $54 million Bombardier Global Express XRS.[32]
2013
A major highlight of the 2013 Australian International Airshow at Avalon was the flying display by a United States Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor. Almost 168,000 people attended the six-day event, held between 26 February and 3 March, with the first three days being taken up with the trade show and the public spectacle began with the 'Friday Night Alight' show on the Friday evening. More than 600 aircraft participated in Avalon 2013, either directly or indirectly.
Two F-22A Raptors from the 94th 'Hat in the Ring' Fighter Squadron arrived at Avalon direct from Japan, where they had been forward-deployed. The flying display, performed by the Air Combat Command Raptor Demonstration Team's Major Henry 'Schadow' Schantz, was the only display for 2013, due to the effects of sequestration on the US Air Force budget. Other US military aircraft attending Avalon 2013 included a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress from the 2nd Bomb Wing, two Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 35th Fighter Wing and a Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker from the 18th Wing on static display. A Boeing C-17A Globemaster III from the 15th Wing performed a regular flying display, as did an RAAF 36 Squadron C-17A.
The Royal Australian Air Force had a strong presence at Avalon 2013, including a four-ship display by the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets of No. 82 Wing. Examples of most RAAF aircraft were on static display, including the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft and Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport. Making their debut at an Australian airshow was the Japan Air Self Defence Force, (JASDF) with the brief appearance of a Boeing KC-767J tanker from 404 Hikotai/1 Yuso Kokutai during the trade days.
Other highlights included the popular Breitling Wingwalkers with their two Boeing PT-17 Stearman biplanes, although they were reduced to a single aircraft after one suffered an engine failure during the display on the trade days. Melissa Pemberton (Edge 540) and Skip Stewart (Pitts Special) combined with the pyrotechnics of Rich Gibson in the TinStix of Dynamite routine. Large corporate jets were prominent during the trade show, with the Airbus A319CJ, Embraer Lineage 1000 and Gulfstream 650 all making their debut at an Australian International Airshow.
2015
The 2015 Australian International Airshow was held at Avalon between 24 February and 1 March. The theme was 'A Centenary of Anzac 1915–2015, Heroes of the Sky.'[33] More than 600 firms were expected to attend the event.[34]
2015 marked the centenary of the formation of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) and their landing at Gallipoli. 2015. The Main attractions present at the 2015 air show included the F/A-18, the B-52H, a new addition to the airshow: the HARS Lockheed P-2 as well as multiple future RAAF aircraft.
Qantas showed off their newest Boeing 737 "Retro Roo" and a new aboriginal F/A-18 scheme was released. A JASDF KC-767J refueller made an appearance again during the trade days, leaving on the first full public day.[36][37]
2017
The 2017 Australian International Airshow was held between 28 February and 5 March at Avalon. It was noteworthy for the first appearances of many new RAAF types, as well as a large number of US aircraft.
The 2017 edition featured the first Australian appearance of the RAAF's new Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning and the E/A-18 Growlers. It also featured new C-27J Spartan, P-8 Poseidon, and PC-21 RAAF aircraft.[38]
Fourteen US military aircraft attended the airshow, the largest number of US aircraft in the show's history.[39] 2017 marked the second appearance of the USAF's Lockheed F-22 Raptors, and also a return of the Rockwell B-1B Lancer, Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and two General-Dynamics F-16s. A P-8 from the US Navy was also present.
Regular aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130, C-17 Globemaster III and the RAAF Roulettes were also present.
Other participating countries included the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with a KC-135 Stratotanker, two McDonnell Douglas F-15s and a C-130. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force again sent a KC-767, and the Royal Air Force sent an Airbus A400M Atlas to participate.[40]
In terms of attendance the 2017 edition of the airshow was the largest yet, with more than 210,000 people attending.
The 2019 Australian International Airshow was held from 26 February to 3 March.
2023
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Airshow was at first rescheduled to be held on 26–28 November, but in August 2021, with the pandemic continuing, the organisers decided to abandon it altogether.[42]
While the Airshow could not proceed in 2021, it ran from 28 February to 5 March 2023.[43]