The loud landing approach of the multi-purpose fighter aircraft could be heard far beyond the Friedrichshafen city limits on Monday afternoon. The question that many people have been asking since then: Why does a Eurofighter land at Lake Constance Airport in Friedrichshafen?
The very simple answer: Because the Bundeswehr uses it to advertise for personnel at the 30th edition of Aero, which takes place every two years. At the aviation trade fair from April 17 to 20, 2024, exhibits will be on display ranging from civil drones to gliders, ultralight aircraft, helicopters, travel and training aircraft with piston engines or propeller turbines and business jets.
Be careful, the plane is crossing!
According to Messe Friedrichshafen, the number of exhibitors is more than 680. Other focal points include new drive systems, electric flight, services and accessories for pilots. The dominant theme of Aero will be the transformation of aviation towards more sustainability.
But it wasn’t that easy with the Eurofighter on Monday. The plane first had to get from the airport to the exhibition center, which is in the immediate vicinity.
In short, the machine crossed the airport runway on a so-called taxiway, then the airfield of the Zeppelin hangar next door and was then towed along Messestrasse to its location in one of the exhibition halls. A closeness that exhibitors and visitors would find “unique,” emphasizes Frank Gauß, press spokesman for the trade fair.
Government approaching
The dimensions of the fighter aircraft: According to the Bundeswehr, the maximum take-off weight is 23,500 kilograms, the wingspan is 10.95 meters and the length is 15.96 meters.
A Bombardier 5500 found its way to Aero on Wednesday morning along the same route. A business plane that government members also use.
The difficulty: The plane had to be brought to its location during ongoing trade fair operations, reports Frank Gauß. Prerequisite: the closure of Messestrasse. Meanwhile, traffic was redirected along the road on the other side of the exhibition grounds along the forest towards Hirschlatt or back.
“Extraordinary” for the police
The police were also involved in the blockade due to the Eurofighter crossing the street: the deployment of their colleagues was limited, but was “quite extraordinary,” reports Simon Göppert, spokesman for the presidium in Ravensburg.
An assessment that appears to be shared by some readers who commented on a corresponding post on the Ravensburg police Facebook page. “Unfortunately, my vacuum cleaner robot was so loud that I could only hear it for a short time. “I was surprised that according to Flightradar24 he landed in Friedrichshafen,” writes one user.
What we mean is the Eurofighter. Another user shares: “Heard it, unfortunately didn’t see it, but will catch up on the weekend.”
Air show on Saturday
Speaking of the weekend: The 30th edition of Aero will be celebrated with an air show on Saturday, as the trade fair writes. Several internationally renowned flying stars are expected to attend – including Frank van Houten, the Niebergall team, Mélanie Astles and Henry Bohling. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., you can see historical aircraft, electrically powered aircraft, and innovative and environmentally friendly flight technologies.
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An insider tip: The Eurofighter will say goodbye again on Monday, April 22nd, at around 1:30 p.m. The plane then goes back via Messestrasse, the airfield of the Zeppelin hangar to Lake Constance Airport – and off into the sky above Lake Constance.
Aero is open Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Further information also at ticket prices www.aero-expo.de