Axalp 2012
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Text: |
Michael Fader, Urs Schnyder |
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Pictures: |
Michael Fader, Urs Schnyder |
For
the modern urban human being who comes with the car quickly and easily
to any airshow, holds Axalp / Ebenfluh ready a big surprise. You only
can walk to the spectator’s areas up on Axalp and this won’t be just a
small and fun walk.
From Meiringen we went by post bus to Axalp (1,500 masl). The chairlift
it then goes to a height of 1900 meters, below the Ebenfluh. From there
we walked to the 2,250 m located Ebenfluh-Shooting Range. A hike of its
special kind, regarding you’re not alone up there. Thousands of other
wandering mountain aviation enthusiasts had the same idea.Around 9,000
aviation-enthusiasts were able to admire the 2012 Axalp / Ebenfluh to
track the performance of the Swiss Air Force.
Der lange Aufstieg (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Aussicht vom Tschinggel (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Die Arena (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Die Axalp (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Helicopter and Trainer
The program
at Axalp/Ebenfluh is practically the same for years. Besides the
obligatory shooting practice of fighter jets, there are also
demonstrations of helicopter are shown. A supported SAR operation in
high altitudes and a commitment to fight forest fires are part of the
program - which we have found, however, well above the forest line.
In addition, a PC-21 showed its tremendous maneuverability along Para
scouts how been dropped by two Pilatus PC-6.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Flight of seven Puma and Cougars (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
PC-12 A-104 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
PC-12 A-104 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
PC-12 A-104 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
PC-12 A-104 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
PC-12 A-104 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The shooting
The air to ground shooting with 20 mm guns of F-5E Tiger and F/A-18C Hornet is the core of the Axalp Airshow. Involved were four F/A-18C Hornet and ten F-5E Tiger of the 19th Squadron. Each aircraft makes between three and four approaches to the various targets. The shooting distance is of approximately 1,300 meters and a speed of 800 - 900 km / h will be reached. Use is made of practice projectiles and in special cases, light trace bullets and mine fires.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Gripen F
Probably the new fighter of the Swiss Air Force was presented for the first time at Axalp to the audience. Shown at the Sion Air show 2011 with its capability of the maneuverability in comparison to the French Rafale, they confined themselves to the Axalp only with some flypasses. The “Gripen” didn’t participate in the shooting demonstration because it was a two-seater aircraft with no onboard cannon.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Patrouiliie Suisse
Of course
the Patrouillie Suisse performed an exceptional show as usual in front
of all the crowds. Where else can you take pictures of airplanes flying
below you and not over you? Making use of the narrow and difficult
terrain of the Swiss Alps is one of the strengths of the Swiss Air Force
and especially of the Patrouillie Suisse. Approaches through the valleys
below and the curve flying around the mountains, where the attraction of
the air shows on Axalp / Ebenfluh.
Simply unique in the world!
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)