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Text: |
Guido E. Bühlmann Andy Herzog |
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Pictures: |
Guido E. Bühlmann |
For the 17th time in March 2012 the traditional and probably the biggest air show of the Latin American continent, took place in Santiago de Chile. In its 32-year history, the 2012 Edition outdid all previous records.
With over 550 exhibitors from all countries, the latest achievements were presented to interested customers and the public, in this beautiful autumn weather in the southern hemisphere.
Our chief photographer, Guido E. Buehlmann, once again, visited the FIDAE-2012 to delight us with his impressions.
Chilenian Air Force
General Dynamics F-16AM Falcon (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
In 1980, the Chilean Air Force celebrated its 50th anniversary. On this occasion, the Air Force held, at the base in El Bosque, the first international aircraft exhibition in Latin America. The FIDA (Ferie Internacional del Aire) as it was known then, was a great success. 32 exhibitors from 13 countries took part in this event. Over 115,000 visitors came to El Bosque Air Base.
Two years later, in 1982 there were twice as many exhibitors from 15 nations. The number of participating aircraft had already reached the stately number of 50 aircrafts and helicopters.
In 1984, already the third FIDA in El Bosque took place. 174 exhibitors from 19 countries exhibited their products and nearly 200,000 visitors were counted.
Highlight of 1986 FIDA was undoubtedly the Mirage CD (Pantera), of the Chilean Air Force.
For the exhibition in 1988, the Americans were flying with two F-16 and one KC-10 tanker to El Bosque-Air Base in Chile.
In 1990 FIDA counted more than 220 exhibitors from 21 countries. As exhibition spaces were too small, the organizers were forced to search for a new location.
Los Cerrillos-Airport was the new exhibition venue in 1992, near the outskirts of Santiago de Chile. Even the name was changed and from then on was called FIDAE (Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio).
Two years later, 331 exhibitors
from 25 countries presented their products.
In addition to nearly 100 aircrafts on display, Embraer from Brazil
presented their first EMB-145 on an international air show to the general
public.
1998 was a year of records. The organizers recorded more than 350 exhibitors from 47 countries and 130 aircrafts where shown, either in flying or static display. Highlights were certainly the Saab Gripen fighter plane, Mirage 2000, F-18 and one F-16 of the Venezuelan Air Force. Nearly 400,000 spectators were happy about this successful exhibition and air show.
The FIDAE-2000 could not build on the record-breaking numbers of the 1998 edition, but there were some highlights too to admire, such as an Airbus A340. For political and economic reasons, the City Government decided by the end of 2005 to close the airport Los Cerrillos to all traffic. Then, the international airport of Santiago de Chile (Aeropuerto Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez) was chosen as the new location for FIDAE in the future.
In 2006 for the first time the FIDAE was held at the new grounds of the airport. Highlights included a first F-16D Block 50 doubleseater of the Chilean Air Force, a Pilatus PC-7 of Aviacion Naval de Chile and a Catalina. With occupancy of 378 exhibitors and 121 aircraft and helicopters, for the first time the event reached 100 percent capacity utilization.
Fidae 2012
Airbus A400M Atlas (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Airbus A400M Atlas (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Airbus A400M Atlas (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Airbus A400M Atlas (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Boeing 787 Deamliner (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Boeing 787 Deamliner (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Boeing 787 Deamliner (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Boeing 787 Deamliner(Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
At 15th
FIDAE the capacity utilization reached 379 exhibitors from 40 countries
and 125 participating aircraft. Airbus was for the first time with their new
flagship the A380 in South America, and North American flew two B-1 ”Lancer”
to Chile.
Because of the catastrophic earthquake the FIDAE 2010 event was uncertain.
But the organizers decided, probably for economic reasons and solidarity
with the people to perform the occasion anyway. As an absolute highlight two
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor flew to Santiago to participate at the show.
With 524
exhibitors the 17th FIDAE in 2012 opened his doors, which is a new
record. Stars were the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A400M
transporter. But also the very large companies such as Boeing, Airbus,
Sukhoi etc. have discovered the Latin American customers and compete
together, with the Chinese, for lucrative and large orders.
The FIDAE always takes place every two years in March. Next date: 25th to
30th March 2014. Probably the most important show for the South American
aircraft industry on the continent.
Airbus A380 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Airbus A380 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Airbus A380 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Kai T-50 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Kai T-50 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Kai T-50 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Kai T-50 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Kai T-50 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Kai T-50 (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Alenia C-27J Spartan (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Alenia C-27J Spartan (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
FMA IA 63 Pampa II (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)
Guests
Fokker F27 "Argie" Air Force (Picture courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)