Plans and work are accelerating towards the XVII International Air & Space Fair (XVII Feria Internacional del Aire y el Espacio, or FIDAE 2012), which will open-up on Tuesday 27 March 2012 in the Northern area of “Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez” International Airport, in Pudahuel, a North-western suburb of Santiago de Chile. Since news continue to flow about its eventual contents and agenda, we decided to produce this short, incremental, update to the countdown launched in early-December 2011 (see “Countdown to FIDAE 2012 begins!”).
While our initial forecast that FIDAE 2012 might turn out to be a lower-key-than-usual type of event remains unchanged, news about renewed Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile, or FACH) acquisitions are spicing-up the show’s menu. The most important new project is destined to replace twelve A-36T Halcón jet trainers with an up-to-date lead-in fighter training solution. FACH is reported to be launching an ad-hoc procurement programme during FIDAE 2012, with BAE Systems (Hawk), Alenia Aermacchi (M-346) and Korean Aerospace Industries (T-50 Golden Eagle) being invited to show their candidates at the fair. If the process advances as anticipated, 12 to 16 aircraft could be purchased in 2013.
Additional FACH aircraft replacement programmes rumoured to be on the pipeline include a new electronic warfare airborne platform to replace EB-707 Cóndor (due for retirement in 2015) and additional F-16 Fighting Falcons to replace ageing F-5E/F Tigre III now based in Punta Arenas. Participation by Viking Air, holder of the Twin Otter type certificate, helps substantiate indications that FACH’s fleet of earlier-versions DHC-6-200s and DHC-6-300s will also be earmarked for replacement in coming years. Interestingly enough, the Canadian manufacturer is in the process of delivering twelve Dash 400s into the Peruvian Air Force inventory and is providing consulting services and parts for Argentine Air Force “Dash 350” conversions (see “Improved Twin Otter returns ready for Patagonia and Antarctic operations”).
Confirmed aircraft exhibitions
- The first confirmed aircraft on display will be the Pilatus PC-12 NG. A FIDAE press release revealed on 30 September that the Swiss turboprop will be exhibited in two different configurations: Executive transportation and ambulance/medical evacuation.
- The Chilean Air Force “Halcones” aerobatics team also appears to be a confirmed participant. Even though team demonstrations were suspended after the tragic loss of lieutenant Cristian “Perceval” Padilla Bravo on 9 November 2011, a post in the “Halcones” Facebook wall said on 27 November that the team is “training so as to [get back into] operational [status for] FIDAE 2012”…
One additional FACH programme that could spark news at the show is that of the C-130 Hercules. While the type’s fleet is set to be replaced by six Embraer KC-390s in the second half of the decade, work is underway to fit Esterline CMC Electronics glass cockpits in two (maybe three) of the aircraft presently serving with No.10 Aviation Group (Grupo de Aviación No.10). One of the Chilean converted Hercules has been flying since June 2011, so hopefully it will be shown with its computerised flight panels at FIDAE. And plans to purchase three additional C-130H aircraft are under evaluation so as to serve as interim fleet reinforcements while KC-390s start being purchased and delivered, and news confirming the acquisition could be made public in FIDAE 2012.
Other Chilean acquisition programmes with exhibition potential relate to contracts signed in the last few years which are in the process of being, or are expected to be, delivered in the near future. Teaming with their suppliers, Chilean defence and security services could take up prime tarmac or flight line space in Pudahuel with Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons (ex Netherlands Air Force), EMB-314 Super Tucanoes (supplied by Embraer) and SR-22s (three are purportedly being purchased for border patrol duties), Navy maritime-patrol C-295s (EADS/CASA) and AS-332L Super Pumas (two were purportedly purchased from CHC in late 2011), Army Hermes 900s (Elbit) and Carbineer A-109s (AgustaWestland). Local manufacturing and maintenance firm, ENAER, is also a registered exhibitor and should come up with some aircraft of its own.
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Further candidates for military aircraft exhibitions at FIDAE 2012 should come from abroad and include demonstrators from confirmed foreign exhibitors such as FAdeA (Argentina), Airborne Technologies (Austria), Embraer (Brazil), EADS and its defence subsidiaries (Europe), Elbit and IAI (Israel), Finmeccanica (Italy), KAI (Korea), Irkut, Sukhoi and UAC (Russia), Saab (Sweden), BAE Systems (UK), Bell, Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Sikorsky (USA). Many of these exhibitions are likely to be supplemented (or fully-provided) by foreign military services flying in with a number of operational aircraft, with the US and Brazilian air forces being our top candidates to deploy the most relevant contingents, including Brazil’s “Fumaça” aerobatics team.
The civil aviation sector should also contribute with a number of aircraft. At least four local companies operating in the fixed-base operators, air taxi, air charter and helicopter segments, are registered exhibitors and are likely to put some aircraft and helicopters on display (Aerocardal, Aeroservicio, Aviasur and Eagle Copters). Local airlines LAN, Sky and PAL are also expected to put some of their airliners on display, if only for the opening ceremony! International contributions may come from registered exhibitors Aerolíneas Argentinas, Embraer (Brazil), Viking Air (Canada), EADS’ subsidiaries Airbus and Eurocopter (EU), Grob (Germany), Finmeccanica (Italy), Irkut, Sukhoi and UAC (Russia), Saab (Sweden), Bell, Boeing, Raytheon and Sikorsky (USA). We remain hopeful that Boeing will indeed show its 787 Dreamliner at least in a “Dream Tour” stop over; but the manufacturer has revealed nothing beyond “Segment 1”, which ended right before Christmas (22 December) after visiting China, Qatar, Ethiopia and Kenya.
According to our last visit to the show’s official site (1 January), 280 exhibitors from 33 different nations plus the European union had confirmed their participation. National pavilions will include those already announced by Brazil, Spain and the United States (see “Countdown to FIDAE 2012 begins!”) as well as Argentina and Uruguay; while government-run or union-run industrial promotion stands will also come from Austria, Belgium, France, Israel and Turkey. Several of Chile’s security and defence services have now confirmed their participation, with a number of Air Force, Army and Navy commands, academies, research centres and flying units now showing up in the exhibitor roster. Carbineers and Police are expected to register before the show opens in March.
Innovations, additional to those announced in our earlier report, include enhancements to the fair’s internal infrastructure such as a new (permanent) press centre and a number of improvements to the exhibitor’s club and cafeteria. Aiming at improving public transit to both the airport and fair, Arturo Merino Benítez’ access highway is being widened, traffic distribution is being reformulated and, more importantly, a free flow tolling system is replacing conventional tolling stations at the airport’s exits. These and other measures will be specially welcome on the week end, when the largest number of FIDAE visitors is expected to flow into and around the airport.
Sources: Boeing (official) and Boeing (blogs), El Mercurio (Blogs), FIDAE (official), Modo Charlie and Viking Air (official).
