Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008

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With South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain as a back-drop, the Air Force Base Ysterplaat, Cape Town, will be hosting Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008 from 17 to 21 September. Under the theme of “Rising to New Dimensions” the event will showcase local, regional and global suppliers of civil, military and security systems, products, components and services. With three days devoted to the trade and two days welcoming the public, this prestigious event promises to be one of the best air shows to take place on African soil.

One of the big attractions at the event is the Air Show, where skilled pilots put their aircraft through a series of mind-boggling maneuvers. This year the program includes the ECC Cavalcade, Skydivers, Harvard Formation Team, Pitts Formation Team, Red Bull Aerobatics, Museum DC3, Lesotho Air Force C235, Lynx Formation, Silver Falcons, Sukhoi Solo Aerobatics, Lightning Sonic Boom, Heli Ops, Buccaneers and much more. The Air Show will take place on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. Static displays will include a multitude of aircraft as well as interesting maritime and land defence equipment.

Another highlight of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008 is the Youth Development Program which aims to assist South African youth to explore the opportunities open to them with regard to careers in the aerospace, maritime and defence industry. The program includes a science competition focusing on various technologies, such as robotics, meteorology and rocketry. A theater will screen documentaries, while lectures and workshops will introduce various aspects of these career paths to young visitors. There will be a workshop on model building and youngsters will have the opportunity to operate various simulators and participate in virtual aviation. It is anticipated that, in cooperation with schools from all over South Africa, the Youth Program will host 1,200 students on the allocated Trade Days of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008.

The previous event, which was held in 2006, attracted more than 22,000 trade visitors and decision makers from all over Africa, as well as internationally. Many business deals took place between visitors and the approximately 400 exhibitors. The public days drew in crowds in excess of 90,000 with the response to the exhibitions and the air display being overwhelmingly positive. Organizers are confident that Africa Aerospace and Defence 2008 will be even more successful than ever before.