The Whitsunday skies were buzzing last weekend, with sights and sounds for the pleasure of all at the 2011 Grand Airshow.
Planes on the ground and in the sky ranged from the World War II vintage heavy metal warbird Grumman Avenger to the homebuilt Savannah Ultralight, with a variety of rotary winged aircraft in between. Displays included precision aerobatics from Pitts Special bi-planes and the superb formation flying of the RAAF Roulettes.
The show, which proved a highly popular community event, was also a celebration of the Whitsunday Airport’s 50th birthday. The weather was glorious and it seemed as though the entire population of the Whitsundays had turned out to watch.
Whitsunday Airport owner Jeffrey Ruddell described the event as “brilliant!”
“It’s fantastic to see so many people – there’s been a huge crowd response. A lot of hard work has come to fruition for the enjoyment of many people – it makes me really happy,” Mr Ruddell said.
Mr Ruddell was treated to a flight in the crowd-pulling Grumman Avenger, piloted by 2009 Australian unlimited aerobatics champion Paul Bennet, from MaxxG Aerobatics.
Mr Bennet, who currently ranks second in the country, said he always enjoys flying in the Whitsundays, a feeling reiterated by Roulette Leader Glenn Canfield.
“It’s absolutely fabulous scenery – we did a warm-up/practice-run over Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach prior to the show – it was a great view; beautiful water and terrain,” Mr Canfield said. To see the full feature on the Whitsunday Grand Airshow, pick up a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now at leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.
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