AERO prepares for takeoff

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN — The 22nd AERO will start on April 9 with a focus on general aviation aircraft, helicopters, and business jets.

There is the continuation of the special exhibitions Engine Area, Avionics Avenue, and the e-flight-expo, with the premiere of the UAS-Expo, where civilian drones will be exhibited.

“We are seeing very good demand; 10 exhibition halls will be filled,” says Roland Bosch, project manager.

“Everything that flies” is the slogan of the AERO in 2014: The range extends from gliders to ultralights, from single- and multi-engine aircraft with piston engines to helicopters and gyrocopters, and from turboprops to multi-engined jets. Modern aircraft engines, avionics, and services and supplies relating to all aspects of flying are other priorities.

The AERO is established far beyond the borders of Europe. An indication of this is the large number of North American aircraft, engine, and equipment manufacturers who are exhibiting at Lake Constance. U.S. companies also provide the largest number of foreign AERO participants in 2014, according to organizers. Even aviation companies from Brazil and China are represented at Friedrichshafen.

A high proportion of the aircraft on display will be classic single- and twin- engined aircraft with piston engines. These require at least a private pilot license to fly, and they form the backbone of the fleet within general aviation. New aircraft, such as the modern Panthera by Pipistrel and the C4 from Flight Design, will be on display.

By far the largest number of exhibits are again dedicated to ultralight aircraft, organizers noted.

The e-flight-expo is being held under the slogan of “Electrical, Ecological, Evolutionary” with alternative drive concepts for the sixth time. One of the big attractions is expected to be the Volocopter from Karlsruhe. The electric helicopter with a total of 18 rotors, which was exhibited at the AERO 2013 as a mockup, successfully completed its first flight late last year and is now in flight testing.

For the third time, there will be a separate area specifically for engines at the AERO 2014. In the Engine Area, not only new piston engines for operation on unleaded fuel will be on display, but also diesel engines as well as turbines presented by 22 exhibitors.

Another special exhibition is Avionics Avenue. Here, everything revolves around the on-board equipment of the airplane or helicopter in terms of flight control, navigation, collision avoidance, flight planning, or weather observation.

The new exhibition area UAS-Expo (unmanned aerial systems) is celebrating its premier at AERO 2014. There visitors can see how far the development of civilian drones has come. Manned and unmanned aerial vehicles from different vendors will be exhibited, equipped with measuring and sensor technology. In addition, an indoor flying display will be unveiled at the AERO, in which these aerial devices can be seen in action.

As part of the AERO Conferences, there will be more than 100 presentations, conferences, and workshops on current topics in aviation. Experts from pilot associations, regulatory authorities, the manufacturer associations, and interest groups from general aviation will be providing information and discussing the policy framework, opportunities for improvement, and the current situation in aviation.

Arrival for pilots with their own aircraft is again only possible if a slot is obtained in advance. The slots can be booked online. In addition, slots will be also given out by telephone by the booking office this year. For more information, check out Fly-Away.de starting around mid-March.

For ultralight aircraft and powered gliders, the Markdorf glider airport located 10 kilometers west of Friedrichshafen Airport can also be landed at from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 9 to 12. Departures are also possible on April 13. There is a shuttle connection to AERO from Markdorf. Ultralight and powered glider pilots can obtain information and register at SFG-markdorf.de.

The Tent City, in its third year, is for those who do not want to spend much time on housing. It is in Hall A2 for a small fee. The tents are provided by the Fair; visitors need only bring a sleeping bag. The tents in single or double occupancy can be booked online starting on March 1.

For more information: AERO-expo.com