Plog Blog

Just a quick hello from Friedrichshafen, where Aero 2007 is just taking off (please excuse the pun).

Kate Sarsfield and I will be posting over the next two days with pictures of new aircraft and aircraft concepts displayed at the show. The events that we expect to happen are: The new Diamond DA50 Super Star will debut; the Eclipse 500 will be flying outside of North America for the first time, and I plan to post a video...so watch this space;
the Grob SPn will fly at a public event for the first time since the fatal crash in November last year;
and the Cirrus third generation (SR22 3G) will be displayed in Europe for the first time. The third generation SR22 is scheduled for certification in Europe next week, and plans to conduct a European tour to show off.

Aero Friedrichshafen seems to be very busy, but very well organized. Luckily the weather seems to be perfect, and I am sure that there will be a lot to see later today in the flying display.

There were certainly many light aircraft buzzing around yesterday evening as Ryanair attempted to land at Friedrichshafen. I experienced my first commercial go-around, which was supposedly due to there being a light aircraft in the 737-800s way.

There was a tremendous air of excitement and expectation in Friedrichshafen today as Europe's general aviation community gathered for the start of the sixteenth Aero exhibition. This event, which is held every two years, is arguably the leading showcase for GA in Europe covering a multitude of owner-flown aircraft from gliders to very light jets and has become a vital platform for this burgeoning industry, helping it to promote and grow the market throughout the region while giving airframers and regulators an opportunity to thrash out pertinent issues. Hot topics on the agenda today included a discussion, lead by Europe's light sport aircraft lobby, on slashing unnecessary red tape for airframers. During this session there was a call to arms from a senior EASA executive to lobby politicians to speed up certification processes and reduce costs. The other debate on very light jets regretfully was targeted at a German speaking audience which was only made clear after the conference began. When it was apparent that no translation service was to be offered a host of disgruntled non German speakers made a rather abrupt exit.

Timing of the show, which this year clashes with the hugely popular Sun 'n' Fun in Florida could have been better but is a testament to the popularity and strength of Aero that all the major airframers, are exhibiting at both shows. Cirrus Design this afternoon showed off its third generation SR22 for the first time in Europe having unveiled the aircraft in the USA, and Brazil earlier this week. Tomorrow a mock up of the aircraft will be unveiled at a GA show in Beijing, China. Austria's Diamond Aircraft is debuting its much anticipated DA 50 piston single and will be hoping its Superstar makes an impact here! Tonight the Eclipse 500 touched down at the show after a five day journey. The very light is making its European debut here and is also embarking on a two month demonstration tour to drum up customers across the continent.
By Kate Sarsfield.

Come back in a few days to see our video posts: I hope to fly in a Cirrus SR22; Eclipse 500 lands in Europe for the first time; Grob SPn flies the first time in public since the fatal crash, 29 November 2006, and a quick round-up of the major events at the show.

Creating large shadows across Friedrichshafen, the New Technology Zeppelin (NT) is operating pleasure flights with a famous livery designed by German artist Stefan Szczesny.

The naked woman strategically holding a bowl of fruit somehow reflects Szczeny's latest art project. The great work of art has transformed Mainau Island in Lake Constance, into the dream of an earthly paradise.

Visitors at Aero 2007 wishing to fly below the painted lady and her fruit have been paying € 145 for 20 minutes. Business was booming when I went to see Zeppelin, and they were sold-out of tickets. I dare say that these particular customers were probably more interested in seeing the air display from the from the sky rather than the decorated island, but please feel free to correct me.

The first Zeppelin took flight in 1900 from pontoons on Lake Constance. 119 Zeppelins were built between 1900 and 1938, and were particularly popular for transatlantic flights before the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, when the hydrogen ignited just before landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey. 35 people were killed that day, and along with the onset of World War II, Zeppelin airships were abandoned.... That is until the more recent revival of the Zeppelin NT.