Paris Air Show
Aerospace |
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History
of the Paris Air Show Paris (June 14, 1997) -- As the gates of the Paris Air Show opened for the 42nd time, promoters hope to build on the previous success of the event that began nearly 90 years ago. While the 1997 show gears up for over 320,000 visitors, 1760 exhibitors and the display of 224 total aircraft, it's hard to believe the show originated as a small annex aeronautical addition to the 1908 second annual motor show at Grand Palais. The first show officially dedicated to aviation appeared September 25th, 1909 at the same location, attracting 380 exhibitors displaying everything that was then known about balloons, airplanes and engines. A new air show was held at the Grand Palais every year until 1913. After a six-year hiatus, the event returned in 1919, and continued annually until 1924. At that time, organizers chose to make the event biennial. It was this 1924 show (officially the 9th air show) that first began to seriously attract foreign interest, particularly from the Germans and English. For the 1997 show, more than 40 countries will be represented. The air show was again forced into hibernation due to war after the 16th air show in 1938, but returned in 1946 to host exhibitions of the new products developed through warfare. In 1949, exhibitors started using the Orly airport, as flight demonstrations became commonplace. The evolution of the Paris Air Show to what it is today first began in 1953 when the show relocated to Le Bourget. Here the biennial exhibition took on the appearance and organization that has become the standard for the international event. The coming years would continue to shape and mold the show as interest and attendance continued to increase. The Paris Air Show has often been the scene for the debut of new aircraft, as well as the beginning or ending of aviation record attempts. A few of the historical Paris Air Show events include: 1957: The Soviet Union made its first appearance at the show. By the beginning of the 1960's, the event had become recognized for its international significance. 1967: Two Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters made the first non-stop transatlantic helicopter flight, being refueled in mid-air a total of nine times each. The helicopters made a dramatic appearance during the early afternoon of Helicopter Day at the Show, circling the field in refuel formation. 1969: Fourteen different countries came together to witness prototypes of both the Concorde and the Boeing 747, the world's first supersonic commercial transport and the world's first jumbo passenger aircraft. 1973: The European Airbus made its first appearance and Aerospatiale's helicopters wowed the crowd with record-breaking performances. 1979: The Mirage 2000 and 4000 were first presented along with the Ariane rocket. 1983: Visitors witnessed the arrival of the American space shuttle Enterprise, carried atop a Boeing 747. 1987: The new version of the Airbus A320 was introduced, along with the Rafale fighter. China made its first appearance as an exhibitor. 1989: The USSR put on extensive ground and air displays, showcasing the SU 25s, SU 27s,MIG 28, MIG 29, and the world's largest plane, the Antonov 225 -- shown carrying the space shuttle Buran. 1991: The recently-ended Gulf War again shifted the focus of the show toward military aircraft and technology. Exhibitions included the A10 and Patriot missile.The U.S. F-117A stealth fighter bomber made an appearance, having just been declassified by the U.S. military. 1993: An Airbus 340 departed from the show to beat the world's record for distance, flying from Le Bourget to Auckland, New Zealand. Both South Africa and Ireland exhibited in their first national pavilions. 1995: A record number of countries (41) were on hand to see the
first displays of the B-2 bomber, Boeing 777 and the X31. The Tupolev 160,
Sukhoi 32 and the Bell Boeing V22 tiltrotor made their first European appearance. |
