Coimbra Air Show 2009

As it has been hapenning every year (you can also check the reports for the 2007 and 2008 editions), the Bissaya Barreto airfield in the city of Coimbra has received a new edition of the Coimbra Air Show.
The airshow took place between 11th and 12th of July including the performances of the Smoke Wings civilian acrobatic team which flies two soviet-build Yakovlev Yak-52 and the military acrobatic team Asas de Portugal from the Portuguese Air Force equipped with two Alpha-Jet A. Civilian aircrafts as well as a rare operational Dornier Do-27 of the Air Force museum also participated in the airshow.

The impressive demonstration of the Asas de Portugal, here flying their two Alpha-Jet A in a close formation and at high speed.

One of the two soviet-build Yakovlev Yak-52 from the Smoke Wings civilian acrobatic team. The portuguese pilots pushed their aicrafts to the limits and impressed the public.

Close view of the impressive the soviet-build Yakovlev Yak-52. Originally, this aircraft was developed as a trainer. A classic aircraft in an air show whith a recent tradition.

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Dassault-Dornier Alpha-Jet

The French Air Force was present in the 2005 edition of the Portugal Air Show, the main portuguese air show. The french participation consisted in two demonstrations with the Dassault-Dornier Alpha-Jet: one by the well known Patrouille de France and the other one by Capitaine Laurent "Tom" Thomeret from L'Ecole de L'Avation de Chasse, Touraine. Thomeret's Alpha-Jet made a great flying display and was also present in the statical exhibition.

Currently, the Alpha-Jet is operated by Belgium, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, France, Morocco, Nigeria, Portugal, Qatar and Thailand. Portugal has begun the operation of this aircraft in 1993. The 50 aircrafts, received from Luftwaffe, were operated by 301 Squadron Jaguares (close air support) and 103 Squadron Caracóis (instruction), both based in Beja. After the transition of the Jaguares to the F-16 MLU (they now operate from Monte Real), the Caracóis assumed the close air support as a secondary mission and recieved the remaining operational fleet - with 15-20 aircrafts. They're also responsable for the acrobatic air team Asas de Portugal.

This series of photos is part of a report which I made for the magazine Fuerzas Militares del Mundo.

Capitaine Thomeret's Alpha-Jet after its demonstration.

A general view of the Alpha-Jet just a few minutes after is arrival at Évora. A second aircraft was in reserve. The force was supported by a C-160 Transal, based at Beja.

The french Alpha-Jet after its flying display - you can see, in the background, the city of Évora.

A close look at the markings of the aircraft.

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Portugal Air Show 2007

Finally, with less than a month away, some informations were given about the military aircrafts that will appear in this year's edition of the Portugal Air Show - the most important airshow of Portugal.
Thus, the skies of the city of Évora will be flown over by the acrobatic teams Asas de Portugal, Rotores de Portugal and the spanish ASPA; the Navy will present a demo with a Super Lynx and an unit of marines; the Air Force will also make an appearance with EH-101 Merlin and Alouette III helicopters and the F-16 fighter in a tactical exhibition.


In this site you can check more informations about the airshow (text in portuguese).

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Portugal Air Show 2007

The main reference for the portuguese aviation enthusiasts is the Portugal Air Show, a biannual airshow. This year, it will happen, as usual at Évora, between 14th and 16th September. In this site you can check the first information (text in portuguese).

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