RAAF 90TH ANNIVERSARY

The Royal Australian Air Force is one of the world’s oldest independent air forces, and in 2011, the RAAF will celebrate its 90th anniversary.

Military aviation first took wing in Australia when the Central Flying School was formed at Point Cook in Victoria in 1912.    That flying school grew into the Australian Flying Corps which provided support to the Australian Army and Navy.

Four Australian Flying Corps squadrons joined the British during World War 1, in campaigns in the Middle East and on the Western Front.    By the end of World War 1, the potential of air power was obvious and in 1921 the RAAF was established as an independent service.

The Royal Australian Air Force has served Australia with distinction for 90 years and Avalon 2011 will be the centerpiece of celebrations for that outstanding achievement.

CELEBRATING AN AIRSHOW MILESTONE

The 2011 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition will mark a major milestone in the event’s history.

The 2011 Airshow will be the TENTH event staged at Avalon Airport near Geelong in Victoria, since the first Airshow was held at the venue in 1992.

This biennial event has steadily grown in size and reputation since that time, and has firmly established its position as one of the world’s ‘great airshow’s’.

The combination of thrilling public flying displays, comprehensive ground displays and the impressive aviation, aerospace and defence industry trade exhibition make the Avalon Airshow unique.

Trade participation has grown strongly since the first event in 1992, with more than 600 participating exhibitor companies now taking part.

Up to 200 thousand people now visit the Airshow across the six trade and public days of the event.