After being postponed as a result of wet weather, the 2017 Lismore Aviation Expo will go ahead this Saturday with high-flying fun and adventure for the whole family.
The day features aviation excitement to thrill all ages including the major drawcard of a spectacular aerobatics display by leading aerobatics company Paul Bennet Airshows.
Lismore business Rotorwing Helicopter Services will also wow crowds with a five-person synchronised skydive from a Bell UH-1 ‘Huey’ helicopter – the very first skydive in Australia from a Huey helicopter.
Families can also enjoy a huge variety of trade stalls and hundreds of aircraft displays with everything from vintage WWI aircraft right through to modern fighter jets. There will also be vintage cars and even the chance to explore the cockpit of a REX SAAB 340 aircraft.
‘We also have our major sponsor Fast Aviation launching a new 24-hour charter service for Lismore,’ Expo organiser Danielle Hanigan from Lismore City Council said.
‘This will be the only charter service of its kind in the Northern Rivers and will provide a commuter service as well as scenic flights and adventure flights to places like Moreton Island and outback air tours to locations such as Lake Eyre and the Birdsville Races.
‘Fast Aviation has been an amazing partner in hosting the Lismore Aviation Expo and we wish them every success with this new venture. We are really seeing a fantastic resurgence of aviation in Lismore and we hope to see it grow into a signature industry for our city.”
Other Lismore Aviation Expo drawcards include: Joy flights, scenic flights and adventure flights: Choose your own adventure in a range of helicopters and planes including warbirds. Prices start from $50 per person.
Career and training opportunities: The Northern Rivers Aero Club will be offering a Pathway to Wings Assisted Scholarship. The Expo will also be attended by Emergency Services, the Defence Force and the North Coast Institute of TAFE, which offers cabin crew and ground operations training in a full replica plane cabin at its Wollongbar campus.
Aircraft displays: Highlights include the Albatross L39 jet, T28 Trojan, YAK 52s and Beech Mentor G-57 as well as Wolf Pitts, a Grunman Avenger, a Rebel 300, Model 12 Pitts, Fox Sailplane, WWI SE-5A biplane, CAC Winjeel, T-34 Mentor, Replica Spitfire, Beechcraft Baron and many more.
The expo runs from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, 29 July at the Lismore Aviation Centre, Three Chain Road, South Lismore. Entry is $5 with children under 16 free, and proceeds go to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
Due to limited parking on-site, two free shuttle buses will run continuously from 9am: one from the Lismore Transit Centre and the other from the Lismore Lake via the Lismore Airport Passenger Terminal. Pick-up points will have a clearly marked ‘Bus Stop’. Designated disabled parking will be available on site at the Lismore Aviation Centre.
For more information, go to www.visitlismore.com.au or phone 1300 87 83 87.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
