AERO 2024 – The Leading Show for General Aviation

Friedrichshafen (D) [ENA] Friedrichshafen (D) – April 2024, main General Aviation exhibition in Europe turns 30th. The German show has been on the world scene of GA for 30th years now and over the years it has also added Business Aviation and a interesting window on aero sports. Among new features for the celebrations of 30-year milestone, organization also wanted to give the public and exhibitors a very welcome airshow on Saturday.

The “AERO 2024” show in the 12 exhibition pavilions, besides the main exhibition on general and business aviation, had in pavilion A7 the “e-Flight Expo”, since 2009 the first event in the world dedicated to sustainable aviation with electric engines, which was joined by the “AERO Hydrogen & Battery Summit” symposium for the use of hydrogen in aeronautical propulsion.

Another area was dedicated to the AERO-Career Days, the event aimed at young people who aspire to a career in aviation, while in other pavilions we saw the “AERO Gliding Expo”, an exhibition on the world of gliding, and AERODrones, an event on drones for safety, rescue and firefighting activities. The program saw something like 200 conferences and conventions, including those of the “AERO General Aviation Academy”, a new initiative that offered more than 80 technical workshops and training sessions for pilots.

Even with very Northern European weather, the event and air show ran smoothly and calmly welcomed the 31,500 visitors from 81 countries around the world, who could visit the stands of over 680 exhibitors from 38 countries. Satisfaction for these results was expressed by the CEO of the organizing company Fairnamic: Stefan Reisinger, who confirmed that “this year the fair has far exceeded our expectations, despite the less than ideal weather conditions”.

Fairnamic GmbH is a joint venture between the Friedrichshafen and Frankfurt Fairs, based in Friedrichshafen and has been committed to organizing events in particular in the mobility sector since 2021. During this year’s event, AERO 2024 also saw the presentation of some new plane, including the Junkers A50 Heritage, which had its unveiling at the European exhibition during the media day in the presence of a large group of journalists who also admired the other aircraft of the historic German company.

Prestigious presences both in the GA (General Aviation) and Business Aviation sectors, but also in the technological sector with for example Diamond Aircraft which brought its new eDA40, a Full Electric General Aviation (GA) aircraft and which had its maiden flight on July 20, 2023, it will be the first electric plane with EASA/FAA CS/Part 23 certification in its category. We can’t forget to mention Leonardo S.p.A. which brought the new version of the AW139 powered by 2 efficient PT6C-67C turbines from Pratt&Whitney Canada.

Alongside these we also had the European premiere of the Piper M700 FURY and the eve present JMB Aircraft which this year brought a new motor glider in preview, the JMB Phoenix. But let’s not forget Cirrus Aircraft, which presented the new generation of the world’s best-selling single-engine piston aircraft at the German fair in Europe: the SR G7 series, equipped with new Garmin, more space and technological innovation.

Among the many visitors and exhibitors, AERO 2024 once again reaffirmed its growth and importance within the GA and now also for Business aviation, which has been increasingly present among the stands at the German exhibition. In fact, this year for the Business Aviation sector at AERO 2024 it included the Bombardier Global 5500 and Global 6000 business jets, Gulfstream G500, Pilatus PC-24, Cirrus SF50 VisionJet, HondaJet, Cessna CitationJet, Cessna CJ2 and others. Single and twin-engine turboprop aircraft on display included the Beechcraft King Air, Daher TBM 960, Pilatus PC-12, Kodiak 100 Series III the aforementioned European premiere and recently FAA-certified Piper M700 Fury.

The airshow on Saturday saw, under unfriendly weather, the presence of important names in the world of aerobatic aviation. We were able to witness the aerial acrobatics of Team Niebergall, who with their two SIAI SF260 Ralf and Nico (father and son ed.) gave emotions to the enthusiastic public of the fair. Together with the German Team, circling in the skies of the Bodensee we admired the acrobatics of the famous Melanie Astles, several times French champion of aerobatic flight in different categories, with her EXTRA 330 SC and over 4500 hours of aerobatic flight under her belt.

To complete the air display, Frank Van Houten, a Dutch champion with over 12,000 hours of aerobatic flight behind him, also participated; Uwe Nortmann, 2-time winner of the eFlight Trophy (2022-2023); and last but not least Henry Bohlig. An organization that has been improving over the years and that in its 30th year has once again demonstrated its high capabilities and wish to increasingly become a point of reference in the GA world. But also the presence of business aviation is growing rapidly, which encourages the organizers to aim even higher. Business aviation, which in Europe is usually represented at EBACE at Geneva Airport in Switzerland in May, is also finding a new place in Germany on Lake Constance.

The next edition of “AERO 2025” will take place from 9 to 12 April 2025, again at the exhibition halls of Friedrichshafen Airport (D). In addition to this event, Fairnamic also co-organizes “AERO South Africa” (this year from 3 to 5 July 2024), in cooperation with Frankfurt Messe South Africa, and “AERO Asia” (6-9 November 2025), together with Zhuhai Airshow Group in China. This year, for the first time, the “AERO Fly-In Future meets History” (31 August – 1 September 2024) will take place at Aalen-Elchingen Airport in Germany, in cooperation with Luftsportring Aalen and Luftraum Sud. from Friedrichshafen (D): Daniele Maiolo www.bestshotaircraft.com