AERO Friedrichshafen presents the entire diversity of aviation

Press Release





Friedrichshafen - With a comprehensive range of general aviation aircraft, products and services, the 26th AERO will take off on April 18 to 21, 2018 with 610 exhibitors from 38 countries on board. Trade visitors will be invited to explore a new technical attraction for the first time, the Flight Simulator Area for professional pilot training. A wide selection of very diverse aircraft is at the center of the international aviation show: The colorful palette at Lake Constance ranges from ultralight aircraft to cruising aircraft, from helicopters to business jets. The range also includes unmanned civilian drones, which are playing a larger and larger role in aviation. The e-flight-expo is also taking an increasingly prominent role. Time-tested special theme areas like the Avionics Avenue, Engine Area, Be a Pilot and AERODrones/UAS Expo are making a strong appearance, as are the rotary wing aircraft dramatically positioned in the helicopter hangar

Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellman and project leader Roland Bosch are optimistically looking forward to the 26th AERO.  As a response to the constantly increasing relevance of electromobility, the e-flight-expo will continue to grow at the AERO 2018,” said Roland Bosch, appraising the situation in advance of the expo. The AERO team is also convinced that the establishment of general aviation China will also increase demand worldwide.
General aviation includes all civil aviation, with the exception of regularly scheduled and chartered airline service; it does not include military aviation. Within the European Union alone, there are more than 200,000 registered ultralights, gliders and powered aircraft. For example, a total of 6527 single engine aircraft with a MTOW of no more than two tons were registered in Germany, along with 3528 gliders, 4133 ultralight aircraft and 594 ultralight gyrocopters.

The AERO 2018 offers the largest possible diversity in the skies: The range of aircraft at the show stretches from civilian drones to ultralights, single- and multi-engine piston-driven aircraft, helicopters, gyrocopters and turboprops all the way up to jets. New aircraft engines, the most advanced avionics and aviation services and accessories will be additional focal points at the AERO 2018, as well as pilot training offers and information about further career opportunities in general aviation.

The established manufacturers of conventional aircraft will be presenting the broad spectrum of machines that they have on offer, starting with aircraft with piston-driven engines on up to turboprops. In addition, it will be possible to see the newest model year versions of established aircraft with a MTOW of up to two tons, such as those produced by Cirrus Aircraft, Diamond Aircraft, Piper, Pipistrel, Vulcanair, Robin and other manufacturers. Nowhere else is the diversity and variety of different aircraft larger than among the ultralights: there are gliders, powered aircraft and gyrocopters. In Germany, ultralight helicopters have been allowed since 2017. The trend towards ultralight gyrocopters, either with an open or a closed cockpit, also continues unabated.

Business aviation will again be a focus of the AERO. Piston driven aircraft, but above all turboprops and jets are at its core. Thanks to last year’s decision by the European aviation agency EASA to permit instrument flight of single-engine turboprops in commercial aviation, the manufacturers of these aircraft can look forward to rising order numbers. Classic twin-engine turboprops will also be on show at Lake Constance.

The e-flight-expo has been expanded one more time and will again showcase alternative drive concepts in a hall all its own. Companies like Siemens, Bell Helicopter, Boeing and more and more startups are working on the development of electrically powered VTOL aircraft. In 2018, the new Flight Simulator Area will make its appearance, the first at an AERO. In this area, everything will be centered around the topic of flight simulation, both in pilot training and for everyone who wants to see what it feels like to control an airplane or helicopter and get an impression of life in the cockpit. The Flight Simulator Area offers experienced VFR and IFR pilots training opportunities and the chance to fly the widest variety of aircraft in a simulator.

With the special Helicopter Hangar area, rotary wing aircraft will be given increased prominence. In a series of expert presentations, the German helicopter association DHV will highlight the role of the helicopter as an important aviation workhorse. Single and multi-engine helicopters with piston as well as turbine engines are active in training, air rescue and work flights.

PPR Slots for Visitors

Once again, a PPR slot allocation system is planned for visitors arriving in their own aircraft. Pilots can reserve slots online. This will be possible starting on Saturday, April 7 at 9:00 a.m. local time at www.bodensee-airport.eu. Visitors arriving at the airport without a PPR slot will be assessed a post-slot fee. Every pilot who lands at EDNY in their own aircraft will receive free admission to the AERO. As an alternative, the Markdorf glider group, in cooperation with Messe Friedrichshafen, is offering ultralights and powered gliders the opportunity to land on their field without a slot assignment during the entire AERO, from Wednesday April 18 to Saturday, April 21. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Departures are also possible on Sunday, April 22. The landing fee in Markdorf is 15 euros; a free shuttlebus travels to the AERO every half hour. The AERO begins on April 18 and lasts until April 21, 2018.

More information is available at www.aero-expo.com.