A Calendar of Aeronautical and Modelling Events

Here is a by-no-means comprehensive calendar of aviation andmodelling related events that will be happening in the near future (orimmediate past, depending on how often I get to update it!) aroundAustralia. If there is something you'd like to add to this list, dropme a line here and let me know.

Dates for upcoming events of interest:

Ongoing

RAAF Museum Pont Cook Interactive Flying Displays
On three days of every week, weather and aircraft availabilitypermitting, the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, takes one of its airworthyaircraft up for a display. This means that three times a week you canhave your own little air show! The display flights usually last 10-15minutes and are preceded with an introduction on the ground presentingthe aircraft and the pilot and ground crew. After each flight there isa Q&A session where you can get up quite close to the aircraft andask any questions you might have. These are a terrific and casual wayto see some famous aircraft up close and personal. The museum'sairworthy fleet includes: CT-4 Airtrainer, Sopwith Pup replica, P-51Mustang, Winjeel trainer, Tiger Moth and Harvard trainer. Oftenvisiting aircraft are displayed as well. These might include DC3,Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, other Winjeels or even an RAAF PC-9 trainer. Andit is completely free! How good is that!
Visit www.www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFmuseum/index.html.

2010

February 2010

February 6-7
Tauranga City Air Show
Tauranga Airport, New Zealand.
The innaugural event with the full show on Sunday following Saturdaypractice. Family fun programs both days including balloon rides, music,skydivers, gliders, food and refreshmants, trade and other exhibitsright through to heavy military iron and battle re-enactments.
Visit www.taurangaairshow.co.nz.(AeroAustralia)

February 7-8
Rotary Air Show, Bairnsdale
Bairnsdale, Victoria.

February 13
Queensland NNL Titles
Criterion Hotel, Quay Street, Rockhampton, Qld.

February 21
National Vietnam Veterans Museum Model Competition
Vietnam Veterans Museum, Veterans Drive, Newhaven, Vic.

February 28
Wings over Illawarra
Albion Park, NSW.
Visit www.hars.org.au.

February 28
Point Cook Air Pageant 2010
RAAF Williams, Point Cook. Victoria
Always a great day without the huge crowds of Avalon. Gates open at9:00 am, flying starts at 1:00 pm. Aircraft on dosplay will include:Mustangs, Kittyhawk, Sabre, Winjeel, Tiger Moths, DC3s, Vampire, SeaFury,, Wirraway, Boomerang, Spitfire and many more! Looks like a bigshow!
Visit www.www.airforce.gov.au/RAAFmuseum/index.html.

March 2010

March 17
Houdini 100 Year Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony
Houdini Reserve, Diggers Rest, Victoria.
Visit www.houdini.diggersrest.com.

March 17 - April 20
The Great Australian Air Race
Parafield Airport, South Australia.
Visit www.greataustralianairrace.com.

March 18
Houdini Flight Expo and Community Celebration
A commemorative celebration will be held on Thursday, 18th March 2010.Exactly 100 years to the day since the first powered controlled flightin Australia, Diggers Rest will commemorate the occasion with aCommemorative Ceremony. The ceremony will include speeches, theunveiling of a legacy project, flyovers and Houdini Magic displays.(from Diggers Rest Website)
Houdini Reserve, Diggers Rest, Victoria.
Visit www.diggersrest.com.

March 20
Melton Air Show
A Melton Air Show will celebrate the Houdini centenary of flight onSaturday, 20th March 2010.  Flying displays will showcase aircraftthat have played a significant role in Australian skies over the last100 years and will feature solo displays, formations flying andaerobatics. On the ground you will be able to walk around beautifullyrestored aircraft and meet the pilots who fly them, look at vintage andrally cars, while the kids will be entertained with aircraft making andother activities. (from Diggers Rest Website)
Visit www.diggersrest.com.

March 21
Australias Festival of Flight
Sunday, 21st March will be Australia’s first Festival of Flight. Thisday will mark the anniversary of Houdini's second Australian flight atDiggers Rest. Celebrations on the day will include:  historicalmemorabilia, air and static aircraft displays, aviation demonstrations,model and radio controlled aircraft, a car, motorbike and truck show,steam engines, tractor pull, automobile & aircraft swap meet,market stalls art displays, kids entertainment, magic and circus acts,performances by Daryl Braithwaite, master illusionist Cosentino, localband The Red Jane Show and more. (from Diggers Rest Website)
Visit www.diggersrest.com.

March 21
IPMS Wheels and Tracks Military Modelling Competition
Essex Heights Primary School (TBC), Vic.

March 28
Canberra Airport Open Day
The Canberra Airport Open Day is happening again on Sunday 28 March from 9.30am - 1.30pm, and will feature loads of aircraft displays and children's activities!

Come and climb aboard a Qantas, QantasLink, Virgin Blue or Brindabella Airlines plane, or take a step back in time with a display from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.

Aircraft that will be on display include:

- Qantas 767.300
- QantasLink Q400
- Virgin Blue 737.800
- Brindabella Airline's J41 and Metro
- Super Constellation "Connie"
- DC3/C47
- Neptune Bomber
- Catalina flying boat
- L39 Jet Aircraft
- Many more small aircraft and warbirds

Carnival activities include:

- FM104.7 outside broadcast
- Jumping castles & inflatable worm ride
- Face painting and glitter tattoos
- Animal patting paddock
- Roving entertainment
- Australian Federal Police stall
- ACT Aeromodellers Association flight simulators
- Canberra Gliding Club aircraft display and
- Rides in a tethered RAAF hot air balloon

There will be a range of food stalls at the Carnival, including coffee, a sausage sizzle, gelato and dutch pancakes!

Parking is free in and around Brindabella Business Park - just follow the signs to "Airport Open Day".

APRIL 2010

April 2-4:
Warbirds over Wanaka
Wanaka, NZ. One of the world's best warbirds airshows.
Visit www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com

April 4-5:
Mack Muster (Inc. model truck comp.)
Colac Showgrounds, Colac, Vic.

April 10-11
Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day
Temora, NSW. Always a great display of warbirds and classic aircraft!
Visit www.aviationmuseum.com.au

April 11:
NSW NNL Titles
Venue: TBA.

April 18:
Modellers of Ballarat Annual Model Exhibition and Swap and Sell
The Caro Convention Centre, University Drive, Ballarat University,Mount Helen (via Ballarat), Vic.

May 2010

May 22-23
ScaleACT 2010
Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narabundah, Canberra,ACT. 

June 2010

June 5-6
Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day
Temora, NSW. Always a great display of warbirds and classic aircraft!
Visit www.aviationmuseum.com.au

June 12, 13 & 14
Model Expo and Australian Open Plastic and Scale ModellingChampionships
Sandown Entertainment Centre, Sandown Racecourse, Princes Highway,Springvale, Vic. Visit www.modelexpo.com.au

August 2010

August 14-15
Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day
Temora, NSW. Always a great display of warbirds and classic aircraft!
Visit www.aviationmuseum.com.au

November 2010

November 20-21
Temora Aviation Museum Flying Day
Temora, NSW. Always a great display of warbirds and classic aircraft!
Visit www.aviationmuseum.com.au

2011

March 2011

March 1-6
Avalon 2011
Avalon Airport, Avalon, Victoria.
Australia's premier air show.
Celebrating the RAAF's 90th anniversary as well as the the 10th Avalonairshow. Trade only Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (1-3) and Friday4th until 2pm. General Public access from 2pm on Friday and all throughthe weekend. Flying displays will include a night show on Friday.
Visit  www.airshow.com.au.

Sources (among others):
AeroAustralia Magazine
ModelArt Magazine
Waverley Scale Modelling Club
Australian Society of Aviation Artists
Aviation Historical Society of Australia
AARG, Moorabbin Air Museum