Despite the Euro crises and the weak economic trading data’s from United States the worldwide aviation business braking records against all odds. The 49th International Paris Air Show Le Bourget topping by far all results in there 100 years history. 
 
Over 2’113 exhibitors from 45 countries attend the show. 145’000 trade visitors from more than 150 countries came to Le Bourget. 290 official delegations from 100 countries meet the experts at the show. More than 3’176 accredited journalists came from all over the world. Over 200’000 general public visitors find their way during the three public days. And last but not least; 150 aircrafts appear to the show, 40 of them in a daily flying display. Regarding the selling figures, most of the traders and customers where in a big shopping mood! The estimated turnover during the one week show reaches the astronomical sum of US$ 150 billion! Airbus alone announced the selling of more than 730 aircrafts worldwide.
 
Highlights of this year’s show where: A  Boeing B787-800 DREAMLINER, both Boeing B747-8 INTERCONTINENTAL and Boeing B747-8F FREIGHTER, an Airbus A400M Military Transporter, an Airbus A380-800, an Eurocopter X3 and of course the Solar Impulse with a flying display on the last day of the show. Very impressive! Our editor team of WINGS-AVIATION, Guido E. Buehlmann, Andy Herzog and Raimond Dollnik will cover a full story of this year’s Paris Air Show Le Bourget with detailed information’s as well as brilliant images of aircrafts, helicopters and the latest technology in aviation.

Airbus

Airbus A380-800 of Korean Air (F-WWAZ) still using the French Registration, but soon will be delivered to Korean Air. This A380 is the first aircraft with an onboard duty free shop and a lounge/bar for the business and first class passengers.

A380-800 Korean Airlines, F-WWAZ (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

A380-800 Demonstrator (Photo courtesy Raimond Dollnik)

A380-800 Demonstrator (Photo courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Airbus A318-112 Elite 9H-AFL belonging to Comlux Aviation. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Airbus A318-112 Elite 9H-AFL belonging to Comlux Aviation.

Boeing

Boeing was represented by the 787-800 DREAMLINER and two Boeing 747s. The two Boeing 747-8 INTERCONTINENTAL and Boeing 747-8F FREIGHTER aircraft were on display to the public, and a Boeing B777-2DZLR in Qatar Airways livery was also present.

One of the prototypes of the Boeing B787-800 N7878A in company livery. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Prototype of the Boeing B747-8 Intercontinental N6067E in a passenger version appears the first time in Europe. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Boeing 747-8F Freighter N747EX, the prototype of the Cargo version. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Sadly, all new Boeing aircrafts let the Paris Air Show during the week of the exhibition)  (Photo courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Boeing B777-2DZLR A7-BBH in full livery of Qatar Airways. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Beriev

Beriev Be-200 seaplane RU-21512, one of the most modern firefighter and sea patrol aircraft.

Beriev Be-200 RU-21512 (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Other Competitors

First time at Paris Air Show, the Antonov AN-158 prototype UR-NTN. A new regional jet of the Ukraine Company, Antonov. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Bombardier CRJ1000 (F-HMLA) of French regional carrier BritAir in a golden, special livery. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

ATR-72-600 Royal Air Maroc Express F-WWLP short before delivery to Marroco.  (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Bombardier DHC-8-Q400 C-GKUK, Air Canada Express (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350ER N1459 used for special missions. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

An ATR-42MP of the Italian Cost Guard (Guardia Costiera) (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Impressions of the flight line at Le Bourget (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

RUAG DO-228

RUAG Dornier Do-228NG homebased at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany

RUAG Dornier Do-228NG D-CNEU  (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Eurocopter X3

The Eurocopter X3 F-ZXXX demonstrator is based on a EC155 helicopter with the addition of short span wings each fitted with a tractor propeller. The tractor propellers are gear driven from the two main turboprop engines which also drive the five-bladed main rotor. The helicopter is designed to prove the concept of a high-speed helicopter which depends on the slowing down of the rotor speed to avoid drag from the advancing blade tip, and to avoid retreating blade stall by unloading the rotor while a small wing takes up lift instead.

Historic planes

This flyable Breguet XIV F-POST is absolutely unique and shows the French aviation attempts beginning of the last century. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Morane Saulnier MS760 Paris F-AZLT that also flew a few weeks before at the La Ferte-Alais Air Show, south of Paris. (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

Powerful Sea Fury FB-Mk. 11 of the Royal Australian Navy (Photo courtesy Guido E. Bühlmann)

last update 14. July 2011

Written 14. July 2011

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