Paris: Still the Biggest

This year’s Paris Airshow is somewhat quieter and the mood at Le Bourget Field is more somber, but the event clearly remains the world’s largest for aviation. Show officials claim the biannual exposition drew more than 2,000 exhibitors this year, setting a new record. Countries such as Australia, Lithuania, Mexico, Libya and Tunisia are presenting their services and wares at the show for the first time. They help offset the fact that two major airframe manufacturers, Gulfstream Aerospace and Cessna Aircraft, decided not to exhibit in Paris this year. Compared to 2007, the number of flying displays would appear to be down at the show, as is the number of aircraft on display. However, the 2009 exposition can claim at least two newcomers to its flight line: the Sukoi Superjet 100 and the Scheibel Camcopter unmanned helicopter, the first unmanned air vehicle to be shown in flight at an air show. Towering over most of the aircraft on static display and putting on a flight demonstration each afternoon is the Airbus A380.
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