A RAAF Boeing P-8 Poseidon taxies back at Avalon during the 2017 airshow. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
A robot jet fighter with no pilot, turbocharged biplanes thrown around the sky, a race between aircraft and Supercar and a plane landing on the roof of a Chevrolet ute.
These are some of the highlights of the 2025 Avalon Australian International Airshow when it opens to the public from this Friday.
A trade show that took flight yesterday (March 25) at Avalon Airport marked the start of the airshow but the three-day public airshow starts this Friday, March 28.
Flying and static displays from military and civil aircraft, including the RAAF’s frontline F-35 Lightning II and the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, are among.
Click here for the flying program (please note, the program is subject to change).
The public can inspect the aircraft up close on ground although availability is subject to change, organisers point out.
Victoria’s Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks says the airshow is an “incredible spectacle”.
The MP for Lara, Ella George says that hosting the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest defence and aerospace exhibition in Avalon represents “a huge win” for north Geelong.
MP for Geelong Christine Couzens says the airshow is “a premier event that puts Geelong and Victoria on the global stage”.
MP for Bellarine Alison Marchant says that “from advanced manufacturing to high-tech innovation, this event provides invaluable opportunities for our local workforce and supply chain to grow and compete on a global scale”.
MP for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney says the “airshow is a cornerstone event that reinforces our region’s role in the defence industry”.
The airshow is organised by AMDA Foundation whose CEO, Justin Giddings, says this airshow will be the 16th biennial show since it began in 1992.
“Over that time, it has grown to be Australia’s signature aviation, aerospace and space industry event, and the largest regional event in the nation.”
An artistic impression of the Fury. Image: Anduril/Avalon Airshow
A highlight of the show will be the first non-US appearance of the Anduril Fury, a robot jet fighter.
Among its capabilities, says Diem Salmon, a vice-President at Anduril, is software that allows a single human operator to interact, and fight, with other robotic drones, vehicles and vessels.
Last held in 2023, the event drew a record 248,000 attendees, 794 exhibitors, and 281 official delegations, generating $240.7 million for the state economy.
Extra V/Line services will run with dedicated shuttle buses running between Lara Station and the airport, connecting with train services.
ON SHOW
The airshow will feature military aircraft from the US, New Zealand, Singapore and PNG defence forces.
A special visitor who will be on display only, according to the show’s website, will be a German air force Airbus A400 four-engine transport.
Aircraft from NATO countries like Germany and Italy are starting to turn up at Australian military exercises.
Aircraft from the RAAF’s 100 Squadron Heritage Flight include the WWII-era Spitfire, the Australian version of the P-51 Mustang, a CA-25 Winjeel trainer and its successor, the PAC CT/4A.
There will also be skydiving, V8 Supercars, formation and individual aerobatics, and formation flypast of pre-WWII Tiger Moth biplanes.
Astronauts Charlie Duke and Mike Bloomfield (both NASA) and Australia’s Katherine Bennell-Pegg will also take to the stage.
A night show on Friday will include a flare drop by a Hercules, which will dump its protective flares in a spectacular show.
To visit the website, click here
