Also on show
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Examples of the two largest transport aircraft ever to go into mass production, the Antonov An-124 and the C-5 Galaxy from Lockheed Martin, are also expected to make an appearance. The C-17 Globemaster III from Boeing is the same US Air Force transport aircraft which former US President Bill Clinton officially named the “Spirit of Berlin” prior to the ILA 1998 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
The US Air Force will be bringing the West’s most widely used combat jet, the F-16, as well as the Boeing B-1B Lancer, a swing-wing, strategic bomber capable of flying at more than Mach 1 to the ILA.
The Hungarian armed forces are participating for the first time with their Swedish-built Gripen fighters. Germany’s Bundeswehr is presenting its P-3C Orion marine reconnaissance aircraft, made by Lockheed Martin, which is now being deployed by the German navy. The instantly recognisable Boeing E-3A Sentry (AWACS) is used by Nato for airborne surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Hungarian armed forces will be presenting one of the world’s largest combat helicopters, the Mi-24.
Many aircraft will be making their debut in the general aviation sector at the ILA2008, including the long haul Global 5000 business jet from Bombardier.
Embraer from Brazil is presenting its own new business jet, the ECJ135 Legacy. Grob Aerospace is bringing its modern business jet, the G180 SPn Utility Jet, to Berlin, and this is the first aircraft in its class to be manufactured entirely from plastics. The DA42 Twinstar from Diamond is among the most economical and most advanced of today’s twin-engined touring aircraft. Diamond is also exhibiting its single-engined DA50 Super Star, a newly developed touring aircraft with improved aerodynamics. The single-engined Extra 500 is a high-performance single-seater for businessmen who want to fly their own aircraft.
Yet another outstanding exhibit is the Cirrus SR22, one of the latest single-engined, propeller-driven aircraft which can carry four people and has a fuselage and wings made of plastic reinforced with carbon fibre. In an emergency the entire aircraft can be brought safely back to earth on a parachute. Dornier Technologie is celebrating the European debut of its new two-seater amphibian with the S-Ray 007. This is intended as the forerunner of a new generation of seaplanes built using the latest plastics technology. Also making their first appearance at the ILA are the twin-engined “Shark” private aircraft and the Liberty XL2 twin-seater sports aircraft. Thielert Aircraft is represented with diesel conversions of the Cessna C172, C206 and Piper PA28. These are not only more environmentally friendly but also easier for pilots to operate.
BBI-Info Tower will be open to ILA visitors free of charge
The Info Tower, overlooking the construction site that will eventually become the major new Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BBI), is located immediately adjacent to the ILA grounds. Opening in time for the ILA2008, the visitors’ pavilion next to the BBI Info Tower will be staging an exhibition with a wealth of details about the new BBI. The viewing tower forms an integral part of the ILA grounds and will be open free of charge each day from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to anyone attending the Air Show.
A guaranteed window seat: sightseeing flights directly from the ILA
The airline foundation Deutsche Lufthansa Stiftung Berlin will be offering a memorable experience during the ILA2008 which will appeal not only to those with an interest in aviation of the past. A historic Ju 52, known in Germany as “Tante” (Auntie) Ju, will be taking off from the ILA grounds to provide unique sightseeing flights. And this indestructible oldtimer of the air will provide every passenger with a window seat.
The Ju 52 is a representative of an important period in aviation history when flying was being transformed from an adventure by bold pioneers to a reliable form of transport. The Junkers factories and various licensees produced almost 5,000 of these aircraft, the first to go into large scale production anywhere in the world. They were used by 30 airlines in 25 countries. Flights can be booked now at a cost of 99 euros by phoning +49(0)40 / 5070 1717 or via the website at www.dlbs.de.
