The European Airshow Council (EAC) held its 11th annual Convention in Hasselt, Belgium, from February 23th to 25th, 2006.

A record number of 92 delegates from 21 nations all gathered in the Holiday Inn, Hasselt, to take part in this, now well established, annual meeting. Delegates were leading figures in the Airshow Industry, including airshow organisers, Air Forces, Civil Aviation Authorities, display pilots, national aerobatics team leaders, and website specialists.

The EAC welcomed the Al Ain Aerobatics Show delegation (United Arab Emirates) attending for their first Convention. Other new members at the 2006 Convention included representatives from Spain, Greece, Croatia, Luxemburg and Hungary. The EAC is succeeding in its ambition to expand its activities throughout central Europe and into the Middle East countries, especially important because the coming display season will see new, exciting large events which are being prepared in those countries.

During the Convention, delegates exchanged their experiences, demonstrated their knowledge and skills and also marketed their expertise in informal social meetings that took place in the friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere that has become the hallmark of the event. Experienced speakers briefed on a wide variety of subjects from 'Airshow safety performance' to 'How to plan a flying display' and 'Airshows from a historical viewpoint' to 'Partnership and the Media' and 'Flying the Apache Helicopter solo display'. Discussions were lively, whether questioning the costs of insurance or offering views on the practicality of combining competitive air racing with normal Airshow flying displays.'

An innovation for Convention 2006 was the introduction of a special 3 hour seminar on 'Crisis Management and Risk Analysis', applicable to all types of airshows, which gave advice, illustrated by examples, to help organisers and military and civil authorities to assess the risks involved in Airshows and how to take practical steps to minimise them. .

Many secrets behind the organisation of several airshows in 2005, including the events in Marville (France) , and the huge AirPower 05 Airshow in Zeltweg (Austria) , were revealed. The EAC announced that their prestigious 'Paul Bowen Trophy', awarded for the best Airshow of the year, would go to to AirPower 05 and the EAC Chairman will take the Trophy to Austria to present it to the joint organisers in the near future.

Working groups studied specific subjects that needed to be tackled to meet the challenges faced by the airshow business. They were 'A proposed revision of Joint Aviation Authority guidelines to assist the new European Aviation Authorities', 'The provision of competitive and simplified aviation insurance to Airshow organisers', and 'The development of a code of practice and a contract between organisers and display performers'.

A separate workshop for organisers and military authorities reviewed what was needed to obtain military aircraft participation in airshows throughout 2006 and future seasons and how to apply to have aircraft to fly at their Airshows. Details about new display aircraft that would become available were briefed by the United States, Hellenic and and Croatian Air Forces.

The experience of large Warbirds operators in 2005 threatened their future because of new EU legislation that led to insurance costs skyrocketing and making display flying uneconomic. Having learned about the problems faced by 'Sally-B', the B-17 Preservation Group, delegates agreed that a warning system would be a useful way of alerting each other of new legislation or other threats to the Airshow Industry. A 'hot-line' e-mail address has been set up (alert@european-airshow.com) and members in the UK and the Netherlands will take on the tasks needed to ensure that the Airshow industry's voice is heard.

Bob Dixon (EAC Board Executive) said : "For anyone joining Airshow events and activities, whether to organise, participate or regulate them, the European Airshow Council offers the best door into the Airshow world and a wealth of practical experience and advice. We all want to have exciting, high quality events that are also safe for the participants and the spectators.'

EAC Board members are from 6 countries and they reflect the international viewpoint in a growing and increasingly influential organization. They are : Gilbert Buekenberghs, Chairman and director of the Sanicole International Airshow (Belgium); Bob Dixon, EAC Board Executive (UK) former Deputy Director of RIAT and organiser in other airshows; Jacques Bothelin, leader of the Breitling Jet Team (France); Joe Ciliberti, director of the Malta International Airshow; Dieter Thomas, former test pilot and Director of Operations of ILA Berlin (Germany); Ed de Bruijn, Head of RNLAF Display Office (Netherlands); and James Black, Europe Air Sports, FAI (UK).

The EAC also welcomed Jörg Thurnheer Deputy - Head of Section, Federal Office of Civil Aviation (Switzerland) - as a new Board Member. His previous experience in negotiating guidelines for many aspects of general aviation including Airshows and his expert knowledge of Civil Aviation Authorities provide a valuable addition to the strength of the EAC Board.

For further Information: www.european-airshow.com