The European Airshow Council (EAC) held its 11th Annual Convention in Hasselt, Belgium, from February 15th to 17th, 2007.

A record number of more than 100 delegates from 22 countries, gathered in the Holiday Inn, Hasselt. Delegates were leading figures in the airshow industry, including airshow organisers, air arms, Civil Aviation Authorities, aerobatic teams and display pilots.

A Pre-Convention Seminar on how to perfectly plan and organise an air display event was held on the afternoon of Thursday February 15th. The seminar consisted of interactive presentations and discussions involving all delegates led by the UK Airshow Management Team of Thilthorpe-Sheeley Associates.

During the conference sessions on the 16th and 17th, delegates discussed the present and the future of the airshow scene and were given new ideas for the development of air displays. New styles of airshows were explored, including the Al Ain Aerobatic Show in Abu Dhabi in early 2007, and the Red Bull Air Races that gathered 1 million spectators in Barcelona alone during the series of races in the summer of 2006. Secrets behind the Hubert Lepka's 'Lawine Torrèn', 'Hannibal' and 'Telung am Flus' lights and sound events involving characters and airplanes were also revealed.

The huge 'Aire06 ' military airshow - held in Murcia, Spain in June 2006 - was also reviewed. Spanish Air Force co-ordinators of the event were awarded the annual EAC ' Paul Bowen ' Trophy for having perfectly organised what was judged to be the best airshow in 2006. Ed de Bruijn ( Head of the Air Display Office – Royal Netherlands Air Force) received the 'Chairman's Special Achievement Award ' for their efforts to attract and co-ordinate the successful ' Open Daag 2006 ' - held in Leeuwarden, Netherlands in June 2006 and efforts over many years to recruit young people for their Air Force who attend the big annual airshows in their country. The challenges of hosting the US Navy's 'Blue Angels' aerobatic team at the event also offered lessons to all present.

The 2006 season's safety issues were reviewed by modern jet and vintage aeroplane display pilots. Impressive presentations on display flying were given by Commandant 'Mickey Artiges', Belgian Air Force F-16 display pilot, by Ali Ozturk who is a solo aerobatic display pilot of 'Purple Violet' from Turkey and, in contrast, Mikael Carlson from Sweden explained how to correctly operate rotary powered pre-WW1 aircraft at airshows.

The European Airshow Council website members-only column ( www.european-airshow.com ) is the unique web forum where delegates can debate incidents and problems met in airshows, and promote common solutions and procedures.

If you were at the EAC 2007 Convention, you know how stimulating and useful it was for improving your airshow. If you were not there, you have missed something ! You missed a great opportunity to meet people in all aspects of airshow life in formal presentations, and also in the free, friendly, and lively discussions and the very popular social events that took place, including the Airshow Dinner held at the Sanicole Aeroclub airfield on February 16th.

For further Information : www.european-airshow.com

EAC Board members include : Bob Dixon, EAC Board Executive (UK); Gilbert Buekenberghs, Sanicole International Airshow (Belgium); Jacques Bothelin, leader of the Breitling Jet Team (France); Joe Ciliberti, Malta International Airshow; Dieter Thomas, ILA Berlin (Germany); Joerg Thurnheer, Federal Officer of Civil Aviation (Switzerland) ; Ed de Bruijn, Head of RNLAF Display Office (Netherlands); and James Black, Europe Air Sports Technical Officer (UK).