Ferte Alais 2009

by Frederic Cotton
(complete slideshow at end of post)

On May 30 I attended the Ferte Alais air show (just south of Paris).

The Ferte Alais air show has a lot of tradition for old aircrafts lovers in France. This was the 37th edition of this annual show!

Over the last seven years the air show interest has waned due to an organisation does not have an "air spirit" (less aircrafts, more police and increased price for the visitors; so all fans were very worried about the future of this air show.

Thankfully, Jean Salis, who is the owner of the Ferte Alais airport, and happy owner of lot's of old aircraft, decide to organize the air show for 2009.

The day arrived with lot's of sun, lot's of aircraft and an ambiance mixed with passion for aviation and a desire to show the public that planes are such beautifull things!

So please find a batch of pictures taken during this memorable day.

Also, the show commemorated the fact that a century ago Louis Bleriot flew over the English Channel (La Manche for the French). The Ferte Alais team has decided to make this crossing again with a real Bleriot XI (pictured) at the end of July!

For a number of years, the French Navy (Aeronautique Navale in the language of Moliere) has shown her aircraft during this meeting. This year they displayed four Super Etendard from flottille (squadron in french navy) 11F, two Rafale M from flottille 12F and one E-2C Hawkeye from flottille 4F.

Flotille 11F lost two pilotes in an air collision last year, one was the official demontrator of Super Etendard. To honor the pilots lost they made a formation of four aircrafts in diamond formation and at the end, one of them broke away, nose straight to the sky to symbolise the souls of their friends climbing to heaven. We will never forget!

Warbirds were also in attendance at the Ferte Alais 's meeting.

The biq star of the show should have been the Fw-190 (see previous post), but the German lady rebelled, a trouble in her right landing gear grounded her during the meeting - perhaps revenge of the French sky?

Fortunately, many fighters and bombers were present in the sky for our pleasure!

Two aerobatic teams took to the skies also and made a beautifull show during Ferte Alais's meeting.

The Breitling demo team is a private patrol, this year they are flying with seven aircraft!

The Red Arrows were very impressive (as usual) - it was a real pleasure to see them!

Complete slideshow