On Thursday 24 September 16 of the 17 participants for the Malta tour gathered at Schiphol Airport. Air Malta was about to take the group to Luqa in the afternoon for the second 4Aviation tour to the Malta International Airshow. The show is known for its limited size but also for its (mainly) interesting participants and the very nice photo opportunities. All participant had chosen for the ‘Enthusiasts Package’ that included access to the show on 4 days. This meant that the group was also able to visit on Friday (for the arrivals and rehearsals) and on Monday (for the departures). Since a number of arrivals was scheduled for Thursday as well, access to the terrain was granted on this day as well. Therefore, after arrival, the group went to the air show terrain immediately. This day saw the arrival of the Egyptians (K-8 and C-130), an Italian P-180, a Royal Navy Merlin and the two Navy Black Cats Wildcats were brought in by two RAF C-17s. The Armed Forces of Malta flew a rehearsal of a formation of an AW139 and a Beech B200. The light was beautiful on this late afternoon. After all were happy with the pics they took the bus took us to the hotel in centre of St. Julians. The day ended with dinner and drinks in the evening.
On Friday (25 September) we were heading for the event again after breakfast. Today we would spend the whole day at the show terrain for capture arrivals and rehearsals. The last participant of the group also joined this morning. Among other aircraft, today we saw the arrival of the Hellenic T-6s, the Hellenic Mirage 2000s, the USNavy Orion, the Canadian Aurora, an Avenger of the Royal Navy, etc. Besides this rehearsals were flown by the teams (F-16 demo team of the Belgian Air Force, Swiss Air Force PC-7 team and Team Orlik). The day ended with the arrival of two RAF Typhoons that were perfectly lit by the evening sun while taxying in.
The next two days, Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September, where the actual days of the air show. We have visited the show on both days and witnessed all flying activities. The weather was fine on both days and all took the opportunity to take fine shots of the aircraft during their displays. The Belgians were be adding to the atmosphere again at the static display by bringing their own music and ‘fun’. On Saturday evening we also stayed after the air show ended to be able to capture the static display aircraft on the tarmac in the dark. This is not a daily thing for most and therefore a nice challenge. Since the actual air displays started in the afternoon we took the opportunity to visit the nice collection of the Malta Aviation Museum on Sunday morning before heading to the show.
On Monday (28 September) we have had to get up a little early. Today the departures of the air show participants were scheduled and obviously we wanted to be there in time. The weather was generally very cooperative again and by 1 o’clock in the afternoon all aircraft were gone (that we able to go today). Today, yet again, very nice photo opportunities. The rest of the afternoon everybody took time to see something of Malta/Valetta on their own or just took it easy.
After a final night in the hotel it was time to fly back on Tuesday 29 September. The return flight was scheduled to take off at 07.40 so no sleeping in today. It was the end of a very relaxed tour, during which the participants have enjoyed themselves thoroughly again. Because of the quality of the participants and the photo opportunities the Malta International Airshow is a show that is certainly worth visiting in the future again. Furthermore, it is pretty nice to be able to enjoy very fine weather at the end of September.
