By Mike Mangano
Join Us at Wings Over Illawarra
Across the globe, AirlineGeeks and you – our community – are joined by one love: the love of flight. That love takes many forms, from airlines to aerobatics. For this reason, we are thrilled to announce we are sponsoring one of Australia’s largest air shows – the annual Wings Over Illawarra.
Why the hype? We want you to join us for this incredible event. As our second ever Australian sponsorship, we want to celebrate Australian aviation and this AirlineGeeks milestone with you.
For two days, Nov. 12 and 13, AirlineGeeks will be centered in the middle of the most diverse collection of vintage and modern aircraft in Australia, all within a one-and-a-half-hour drive south of Sydney. Located at Shellharbour Airport, we expect an incredible display of historical airliners, such as one of only two airworthy Super Constellations in the world, as well as many other flying and static displays from Australia’s Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.
Additionally, we anticipate intense aerobatics, historical formation flights, and fast flyovers from Australia’s newest F-35 Lightning II. For the AvGeek in need of their own flight, helicopter joy flights will also be available to take in the incredible coastline views and equally dramatic mountain ranges surrounding the airport.
Each day will include an action-packed program of aerial action, with a lineup of both civilian and military aircraft. The flying displays will include the RAAF’s Roulettes, an impeccably restored Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation (aka “Connie”), a classic Boeing Stearman biplane, as well as some of the most iconic warbirds of the Second World War, such as the Vought F4U Corsair, Supermarine Spitfire, and German Focke Wulf 190 – to name just a few.
A Supermarine Spitfire – one of many historical aircraft flying at this year’s Wings Over Illawarra. Photo: Justin McCoy
To complement this array of aircraft, we are excited to see the former record-setting English Electric Canberra – setting an altitude record of nearly 66,000 feet in 1955 – joined along with many more exhibits sure to satisfy the inner historian.
While there will be a certain focus on these incredible displays above, the static exhibits on the ground are also sure to excite. These displays are expected to comprise of HARS’ Boeing 747-400, Douglas DC-3 and DC-4, a General Dynamics F-111, and a true gem – a Consolidated PBY Catalina – as well as many others yet to be confirmed. For a small donation to the museum, guided tours of some of these aircraft are available.
A Douglas DC-4 at Wings Over Illawarra. Photo: Justin McCoy
The exhibits and stalls extend beyond these aircraft, with different exhibitors through the differing precincts. For the reader eager to explore the prospect of becoming a pilot, advantage can be taken of the different flying schools in attendance, as well as gliding clubs and other aviation specialists. We also anticipate drone exhibits and stalls, each demonstrating the potential of unmanned aviation in the 21st century.
AirlineGeeks will be sharing photos, interviews and reviews with our audience, so be sure to tag us in your photos and get a ‘selfie’ with our banner!
With such an array of action and exhibits, we are excited for a fantastic weekend of planes, noise, and that intoxicating smell of jet fuel. If you can make it (we extend this invitation to those beyond Australia), we’d love your company as we lift our eyes ever upward and share in our true love – our love of flight.
Mike’s love affair with flight and mechanical objects in the sky began at an early age, fascinated by space documentaries and the vintage Flight Simulator ’95. He currently works as an instructor for UAVs and is training to receive his Private Pilot Licence with the goal of working in manned flight instruction. An avid reader of all things aviation and manned space flight, Mike stays close to developments in aerospace while reminiscing and sharing the rich history of flight with others. He loves writing, engineering and science.
