Last year this airshow was reduced to one day due to savings in the defensive budget and took place on a weekday (read this article). Now I'm glad to tell you that the Koksijde airshow is totally back with a whole weekend full of action. A quick look to the programme learns us that there are many interesting visitors. There are 2 themes this year: 30 years F-16 service in Belgian Air Force and 60th year NAVO.
The Belgian air force brings the new F-16 solo display and a new formation team: Hardship Red. Hardship Red consists of 4 SF-260 Marchettis. The name refers to the nickname 'Hardship' of the SF-260 and the distinctive red-yellow painting. The replacement for the Seaking, the NH-90, will also be present.

The Patrouille de France will show its formation flying only on the Saturday. There are 9 (!) other formation teams: The Victors (4x Piper), Cartouche Doré (3x TB30 Epsilon), Royal Jordanian Falcons (4x Extra 300L), Krila Oluje display team (5x PC-9), Marche Verte (7x CAP-232), Team Iskry (4x TS-11 Iskra).

French Rafale, Mirage, Swiss F-18 Hornet, Hungarian Saab Gripen, Dutch F-16 display, Hawker Hunter, British Tornado, ... A truly international event!

Check out the full participants list and find practical information at: http://www.mil.be/airshow/index.asp?LAN=nl Warm and clear weather is forecasted, so the 2009 edition can't fail!

PS: Your reporter will be present..

The brand new airshow in Ursel is cancelled because of environmental reasons. Ecologists and the Flemish Environment, Nature & Energy departement don't give a positive written advice needed by the Belgian National Civil Aviation Authority to grant permission for the 2009 Airshow. They revealed the decision in a typical Belgian political way just 8 weeks before the event. The Ursel Avia Show would bring aviation to the grand public in a new way, based on 'airblocks' wherein aircraft from the same period are grouped. There was already a very interesting participants list. But there is a positive point too, the whole team is still motivated and will bring you the exclusive airshow in 2010.
Read the letter from The Ursel Avia Show Team at: www.urselavia.com

The F-16 Solo Display team from the Belgian Air Force has a new pilot. Michael 'Mickey' Artiges has showed 3 airshow seasons the best of himself, and now he passes on the 'stick' to Michel 'Mitch' Beulen from 349 squadron in Kleine Brogel. 'Mitch' Beulen got his wings in 1998, and since then he has flown more than 2.000 hours, of which 1.700 are on the F-16. Mitch will perform displays from 2009 till 2011.

After a good filled 2008 airshow season, it's time to make plans for next year. 2009 will certainly be marked by the Tiger Meet Spottersday in Kleine Brogel on 18 September and Sanicole Airshow 2 days later, which will work together.
Something new next season, is the Ursel Avia Show. This event on 21 June is presented by the organizers of Wings and Wheels and Ursel Airshow. The show will be based on different aviation themes.
The TLP-spottersday on 20 May will be the last change to see the TLP participants in Florennes (the TLP exercise will be replaced to another airport).

Of course all other airshow dates and information that aren't yet known, will be published on this page. Check the calendar below regular for Belgian airshow dates and follow the latest news here for detailed information. I will visit some airshows in Belgium and other countries, and you can find my reports and photos on the Airshow Review page.

Winter is boring for airshow lovers. But keep on till 20 May, when the TLP-spottersday opens the 2009 airshow season! Spotterfreak.net is ready for a new thrilling airshow season, and you?

Tomorrow, on Sunday 14 September, the 15th Wing from Melsbroek airbase at Brussels Airport organises an Open Door because of its 60th anniversary. This event takes place from 10h till 18h. Visitors include a civil Dragon Rapide, a Hungarian Antonov An-26, a Dutch B-25 Mitchell, and more... For more information about the Open Door, visit mil.be/15wing

At Thursday 28 August the Koksijde Air Day finds place on Koksijde Airbase. The Air Day is a shortened version of the original Airshow weekend (see this article). One of the highlights are the Jordanian Falcons with their 4 Extra 300S. For more information, visit mil.be.

The International Old Timer Fly-In takes place at Schaffen-Diest Airfield from 16 till 17 August. As the name says, there will be many old timer aircraft: e.g. an Boeing Stearman, an L-19 Bird Dog,... but there will be also modern general aviation aircraft. For a complete list of visitors, look here. For more information about the fly-in, visit the official site.

This weekend there are 2 airshows: the 3rd Tailwheel Meet at Overboelare Airfield and the Wings And Wheels event at Ursel Airfield. Not easy to choose one of them... But of course you can visit one on Saturday and one on Sunday! The Tailwheel Meet is, as the name says, a gathering for taildraggers. The Wings And Wheels event is a mix of historical WOII fighters, modern military aircraft, civil aircraft and over 300 military vehicles.

The 32nd edition of the Sanicole Airshow takes place at Sunday 20 July. The B-17 'Sally B' is cancelled because of engine problems, but the Breitling Team will jump in instead of it. Other highlights are the Red Arrows, a Mi-24 Hind helicopter from the Czech Air Force, a B-1 Lancer, and many more! For more information about the Sanicole Airshow, visit the official site.

At 4 and 5 July, the annual defence days take place at Florennes airport. Many beautiful airplanes on static display, but also on flying display! For example: Patrouille de France, Turkish Stars, Breitling team, a B-52,... I will be there on Saturday and like always I will write a report after the airshow. Have fun and let's hope on good weather! For more information visit this site.

The annual international air show on the military base of Koksijde does not take place this year. The air show had been planned for the last weekend of august, but dissapears by savings in the ministry of defence. Koksijde must do it now with an one-day event on 28 augustus.
Read More...