malta airshow2016

[Hunter49]

Hi, what is happening at the malta airshow this year ? heard the flying is over the sea also do they expect you to pay the full price to see the static with no displays over the airport ? i usualy go but this is very strange they tried it before and the takings at the gate was very poor any info thanks ROB

[mbo570]

Current participation reads as follows:

Polish Airforce
TS-11 Iskra (x6) Bialo-Czerwone Iskry Training Aircraft
Su-22M3 (x3) Su-22 Display Team Bomber-Fighter Aircraft
Su-22UM3K (x1) 21st Tactical Air Base Bomber-Fighter Aircraft

Italian Air Force
AB212 (x1)MIATM Helicopter

Royal Navy
Avenger T.1 (x1)750 NAS Training Aircraft

still a very short list..hopefully will increase as just over a month left!

[Hunter49]

Thanks for the info, but do the stories regarding flying is over the sea and not at airport is a fact? Thanks ROB

[mbo570]

I heard that rumour too about the flying taking place over the sea at Smart City....though there is nothing official yet and the organizers have not issued any statements yet

[Hunter49]

Thanks . ROB

[Hunter49]

Hi , Martin keep an eye on the malta airshow website .Ilooked and its very confusing thats why i asked mbo 570 for the info as he lives in Malta and is the man who will know the situation . ROB

[mbo570]

Another tiny update

The Italian Pioneer team will be returning with 4 Pioneer 330

[Bat21]

I do hope it is taking place at the airfield and not over the sea (probably won't bother if it's over the sea).

The official site seems to point to it happening at the airfield - here is a section pasted from the site

Parking is Free. Should you decide to travel by car, the Airshow Gate is located on the Hal Farrug Road Luqa (35.51'40.7N 14.28'20.7E). Please follow signs to the general car park. A one-way system operates during the airshow weekend as directed by the Malta Police. Please be also aware that you will need to allow additional time to travel due to the volume of traffic on the roads.

Venue Open between 10:00 and 17:30.

[Bat21]

oh fudge - it is over the sea - new post on the official site

I will be in Malta that weekend but will give the air show a miss

This year's edition will feature two distinct venues as the aerial display moves over to Smart City Malta and the static display will stay at the airport.

Visitors to the Malta International Airshow 2016 will be able to enjoy watching the very impressive line-up of aircraft at the airport and then move on to Smart City Malta (limits of Xghajra/Kalkara) later on in the afternoon to watch the exciting displays of some unique aircraft and helicopters.

The Airshow Gates (on the Hal Farrug Rd) open at 10am and close at 3.30pm.

This will allow ample time to go over to Smart City Malta to watch the flying display that should start by 5.30 and continues into the early evening with a memorable display of an aircraft formation performing with pyrotechnics to bring the show to a close.

On Both Saturday and Sunday a seating area at Smart City Malta for those who want to watch the show in style facing the open Mediterranean Sea right in front.

[mbo570]

Yes its been confirmed now unfortunately that flying display will be at Smart City and not at the airfield. Will be practically impossible to watch the SU22s depart from the airfield on their way to the display. I guess I will watch the display on Saturday and then go see the static (well the few on the list till now) on Sunday.

Will definitely mean a loss of revenue for the organisers...all in all looks like a poor show this year

[mbo570]

Ticket prizes have been announced...€8 to visit the static display while its free to see the flying display at Smart City.

Enthusiasts Weekend ticket for only €50 it includes five day access!!!

[MRTT]

Not sure that was a wise decision, wouldn't shock me to see it return to the airport next year.

[mbo570]

Further additions to the static:

Polish Casa C-295M transport aircraft coming from the 8th Airlift Base
M-28B Bryza coming from the 43rd Naval Brigade of the Polish Navy
RAF Beechcraft B200 King Air from 45 Squadron at RAF Cranwell

[mbo570]

Another great addition..the Ukrainian air force SU-27 Flanker solo display plus another for the static. They will be accompanied by an IL-76

[Hunter49]

Hi, looks like it might be ok for the show , cant make it this year , Hope u will post plenty of pics . ROB

[Bat21]

SU 27 is a great addition - just a damned shame they are closing the gates at the airfield/static display ages before the flying starts.
We would have gone if we could have been on the airfield for the show departure and recoveries of the SU's.
Smart City is visible from our hotel that overlooks Grand Harbour so we will probably watch from there and hope a couple of the recoveries use the Grand harbour approach to the shorter westerly runway.

[EGGX TED]

Coming to Malta ( with wife? ) and would like to know where it is best to see arrivals on Friday, or is it the case that most stuff is there already. Thanks

[Bat21]

Coming to Malta ( with wife? ) and would like to know where it is best to see arrivals on Friday, or is it the case that most stuff is there already. Thanks

Always in Malta at time of the air show but only ever turned up once for arrivals at The Spotters Wall.
Was a good few years ago (2009) when a lot more static stuff was turning up - I went on the Friday and most stuff did and still does seem to turn up then.

There is always a chance that stuff may land on the shorter runway and not pass the Spotter Wall - however on my visit all used the long runway and I got some good views.

The wall is a raised platform and is quite small - on that day it was rammed with mainly visiting Brits so I felt a little sorry for the regular courteous Maltese spotters who couldn't use their own wall that day.

I got some decent through the fence shots from a few yards further along from the wall. example : http://www.airliners.net/photo/Germany- ... DS/1588667

Hopefully the link below will work and you will see the location.

I do also believe you can buy airfield access tickets for the arrivals/departure dates on the Thurs & Friday - check out enthusiasts tickets on the air show site http://www.maltairshow.com/Tickets/

So far this is the poorest line up I have seen in my 11 years of visiting - the SU's are great but the off airfield display and early closing of the static area make it a miss for me this year.

Scroll down this link for The Spotter Wall info
https://www.spotterswiki.com/index.php/ ... al_Airport

mbo570 or one of the other friendly local spotters will most likely be along to give you some good tips
Enjoy you visit

[mbo570]

Well it depends from the direction the aircraft will be landing. If landing runway 13 (the static side of the show) the approach area is fine as the aircraft nearly pass on top of your head.

If on the other hand landing is on runway 31 there is a country path along the runway where you can stand on boulders which is a good spot for taking landing shots. One can also stay by the perimeter road and you are still able to get some good shots. The Spotters' Wall will be full of people so best avoid.

Line up this year is poor and there is still no information whether aircraft will be arriving on Thursday or Friday.

[EGGX TED]

Thanks very much for all the very valuable info..........best regards........EGGX TED