The world‘s leading trade show for general aviation celebrated its 25th anniversary. It began on Wednesday, April 5 and finished on Saturday, April 8.

With record participation of 707 exhibitors from 39 countries, the exhibition has been a historic event in its silver anniversary year.  Numerous premieres and innovations of aircraft manufacturers on display have been presented: from gliders, ultralights, gyrocopters and helicopters, single and twin-engine aircraft up to business jets. At an air show at the press conference on Tuesday, several aircraft with electric propulsion systems flew their rounds silently in the sky over the

AERO 2017 P2012 Traveller Tecnam

fairgrounds. At an oil spill exercise in the afternoon on Lake Constance, firefighters demonstrated an operation with drones.

AERO 2017 UL helicopter HTC 130

In addition, this year there were again several specialized areas, including the e-flight-expo, Avionics Avenue, Engine Area, “Be a pilot,” and UAS Expo/AERODrones for civilian drones and unmanned aircraft, along with the used aircraft market.

AERO 2017 replica of the Rimowa Junkers F13

As an anniversary gift, an air show with electrical and aerobatic aircraft as well as a replica of the Rimowa Junkers F13 took  place on Saturday. “I am very pleased that the 25th AERO can present a great result in its silver anniversary year,” says Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann.

AERO 2017 Autogyro 09 Junior

The record booking situation is a sign that it is essential for aviation companies to present themselves to potential customers in Friedrichshafen. “2017 is the year in which aircraft with electric propulsion systems are very much on the rise,” says Roland Bosch, naming one of the focal points that presents a look into the future of general aviation.

All established manufacturers of conventional motorized aircraft were exhibiting

AERO 2017 Avana Odonata OM-M501

their product spectrum on Lake Constance, ranging from airplanes with piston engines to turboprops. The focus was on exhibition premieres. For the first time, it was possible to see an aircraft that looks like a classic airplane but is actually brand new. The Rimowa Junkers F13 is an exact replica of the first German commercial aircraft of all-metal manufactured by Junkers.

My favorite AERO 2017 : Sportster open cockpit single-seat aircraft

According to Jürgen Schelling, trade journalist and pilot, in Germany there are more than 40,000 holders of private pilot licenses (PPLs) for motorized aircraft as well as more than 20,000 ultralight flight license holders in 2017. In addition, more than 20,000 people have glider licenses in this country, often in combination with ultralight flight and motorized flight licenses. In 2017, Germany has more than 10,000 pilots with the commercial pilot license ATPL, known as the Airline Transport Pilot License, which authorizes you to fly a commercial airliner.

Claus-Dieter Wehr, Managing Director of the Friedrichshafen

Airport Friedrichshafen

Airport, is also able to report increased aircraft movements for the AERO. “For the airport, the air show is always a great challenge that all employees are glad to rise to with great dedication,” says Claus-Dieter Wehr, speaking in front of

AERO 2017 air show

journalists. Based on the experience and feedback from recent years, the airport management reconsidered the slot bookings together with the air show management and made adjustments in consultation with external experts.

The evolution of the AERO

The history of the air show began 40 years ago in 1978 with initially 14 exhibitors of gliders and pilot accessories as part of the “Racing, Motor, Leisure” fair. The AERO, which became an independent event starting in 1993 and took place every two years at the time, experienced constant expansion in the years that followed. The success of AERO has depended not only on Friedrichshafen’s reputation as a cradle of aviation, which was initiated by Ferdinand Count Zeppelin in the year 1900, but also on a

AERO 2017 : Ready for take-off ?

fast-growing ultralight aircraft sector. The trade fair benefited both from the aviation industry location of Friedrichshafen as well as the booming UL sector. In 1995, the Business Aviation area was introduced for the first time, and the fair also expanded its offering in the areas of Avionics, Maintenance, and Services. Growth was further increased through the move to the new exhibition halls directly at the airport in 2002. All this makes today’s AERO the world’s leading trade fair for innovations in general aviation. Innovations, premieres, and new products – general aviation once again has a strong presence on Lake Constance.

International – Informative – Innovative

In the frame of  AERO CONFERENCES   aviation specialists and connoisseurs of the industry presented and discussed current topics and latest developments available for everyone.

AERO 2017 Conference about electric propulsion, in presence of André Borschberg (Solar Impulse)

In  hall A6  the  Avionics Avenue  informed about flight control and management systems, communications systems, navigation devices, displays, weather radar, and air and ground radar systems of different manufacturers at first glance.

Possibilities to experience the avionic equipment by yourself were given in the Headset Test Area or learn about new developments in product presentations and workshops.

Engines and propulsion systems have been in the focus of the Engine Area again at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2017. Whether it be radial engines, hybrid propulsion systems or electric motors, this special exhibition gave its visitors a comprehensive overview of the products available on the market.

Moreover, additional topics such as maintenance and engine management have been part of the Engine Area 2017.

AERO 2017 sUAS drones

The UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) EXPO  comprised a comprehensive range of manufacturers of UAS as well as sensor and measuring devices and information on the current stage of development in the field of UAS.

In Rothaus hall  A1 demonstration flights showcased the many purposes UAS serve, some of which are environmental research and earth.

AERO 2017 Hamilton H55 Siemens

The  e-flight expo organised in co-operation with Flying Pages GmbH was, once again, a major section at AERO Friedrichshafen 2017 in hall A7.

In addition to the e-flight expo special exhibition, there have been dedicated e-flight lectures at AERO. As part of the AERO Conferences, high-calibre speakers talked about the history and development of electric flight.

AERO 2017 Artwork

“AEROkunst”, an exhibition of works from various artists and presented by the German “fliegermagazin”, returned for the third time to AERO this year. A diverse range of artwork including photography, painting, furniture, graphic painting and sculpture were on display. As in 2016, a piece of art from one of the participating artists were raffled off each day, shortly before the trade show closed its doors. Of course, all of the displayed artwork is also available for sale.

Press release

Reinhard Finke – VdN