AERO birthday with record participation
The AERO is celebrating its birthday. On Wednesday, April 5, the Global Show for General Aviation will be starting at the fairgrounds on Lake Constance for the 25th time. With record participation of 707 exhibitors from 39 countries, the exhibition is a historic event in its silver anniversary year, presenting the best results in its history. Until Saturday, April 8, 2017, the largest general aviation exhibition in Europe will have numerous premieres and innovations of aircraft manufacturers on display. From gliders to business jets, everything is represented on the exhibition grounds. At an air show at the press conference on Tuesday, several aircraft with electric propulsion systems flew their rounds silently in the sky over the fairgrounds. At an oil spill exercise in the afternoon on Lake Constance, firefighters demonstrated an operation with drones.
The largest trade fair of general aviation in Europe will be exhibiting the complete range of gliders, ultralights, single- and twin-engine aircraft, business jets, helicopters, and gyrocopters. In addition, this year there will again be several specialized areas, including the e-flight-expo, Avionics Avenue, Engine Area, “Be a pilot,” and UAS Expo/AERODrones for civilian drones and unmanned aircraft, along with the used aircraft market.
As an anniversary gift, an air show with electrical and aerobatic aircraft as well as a replica of the Rimowa Junkers F13 will take place on Saturday. “I am very pleased that the 25th AERO can present a great result in its silver anniversary year,” says Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann.
The record booking situation is a sign that it is essential for aviation companies to present themselves to potential customers in Friedrichshafen. “2017 is the year in which aircraft with electric propulsion systems are very much on the rise,” says Roland Bosch, naming one of the focal points that present a look into the future of general aviation. For example, there will be several electric flight premieres on Lake Constance.
All established manufacturers of conventional motorized aircraft will be exhibiting their product spectrum on Lake Constance, ranging from airplanes with piston engines to turboprops. The focus is on exhibition premieres. For the first time, it will be possible to see an aircraft that looks like a classic airplane but is actually brand new. The Rimowa Junkers F13 is an exact replica of the first German commercial aircraft of all-metal manufactured by Junkers.
According to Jürgen Schelling, trade journalist and pilot, in Germany there are more than 40,000 holders of private pilot licenses (PPLs) for motorized aircraft as well as more than 20,000 ultralight flight license holders in 2017. In addition, more than 20,000 people have glider licenses in this country, often in combination with ultralight flight and motorized flight licenses. In 2017, Germany has more than 10,000 pilots with the commercial pilot license ATPL, known as the Airline Transport Pilot License, which authorizes you to fly a commercial airliner.
Claus-Dieter Wehr, Managing Director of the Friedrichshafen Airport, is also able to report increased aircraft movements for the AERO. “For the airport, the air show is always a great challenge that all employees are glad to rise to with great dedication,” says Claus-Dieter Wehr, speaking in front of journalists. Based on the experience and feedback from recent years, the airport management reconsidered the slot bookings together with the air show management and made adjustments in consultation with external experts.
The history of the AERO
The history of the air show began 40 years ago in 1978 with initially 14 exhibitors of gliders and pilot accessories as part of the “Racing, Motor, Leisure” fair. The AERO, which became an independent event starting in 1993 and took place every two years at the time, experienced constant expansion in the years that followed. The trade fair benefited both from the aviation industry location of Friedrichshafen as well as the booming UL sector. In 1995, the Business Aviation area was introduced for the first time, and the fair also expanded its offering in the areas of Avionics, Maintenance, and Services. Growth was further increased through the move to the new exhibition halls directly at the airport in 2002. All this makes today’s AERO the world’s leading trade fair for innovations in general aviation. Innovations, premieres, and new products – general aviation once again has a strong presence on Lake Constance: More than 30,000 trade visitors from 60 countries are expected, of which 63 percent have a pilot’s license (according to the survey at the previous fair).
The 25th AERO will begin on Wednesday, April 5, and continue until Saturday, April 8, 2017