Organisers of the region's biggest air show at Shellharbour Airport are expecting strong crowds for their November 27-28 event.
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Wings Over Illawarra will return after the pandemic forced its postponement in 2020, but a spokeswoman believes that will give more people reason to visit the show.
"The majority of our audience are from NSW, with many people driving down from Sydney so we are still expecting strong crowds, even more so because people have been in lockdown for months so are eager to get out and about with the family," the spokeswoman said.
"This is an event that injects over $5 million into our local community. Now is the time to throw your support behind the second largest regional event in NSW."
General admission tickets are currently on sale through the event's website, though VIP and Gold Pass tickets are sold out.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
- F35 lightning handling display. Although there have been F35 displays in the past, this is the first official handling display with the RAAF dedicated F35 lightning aerial display pilot Ross Bowman.
- Farewell to the F/A-18 Classic Hornet with a four ship formation display and simulated airfield attack, followed by a solo aerobatic display by the 75 Squadron 'Black Magpie' (photo attached for reference) . It will be their last ever official display in Australia
- RAAF centenary year, this is the last airshow to showcase and celebrate RAAF centenary.
- Free carnival rides and sideshow alley
- Helicopter joy flights
- Australian Defence Force experience
- Classic cars and bikes
- NSW Drone Expo
- The Aviator Beer Garden & Bar
- Around 50 aircraft from the HARS Aviation Museum on display
- HARS aim to fly its acclaimed Super Constellation "Connie", Neptune 273, a Caribou, Catalina and from its Navy Heritage Flight, Huey 898.
AIRCRAFT
A spokeswoman for Wings Over Illawarra said the flying schedule was still being finalised, but could confirm the below aircraft would likely be attending (though was "subject to change"). She also said more aircraft were yet to be announced.
- F35 lightning
- F/A-18 Classic Hornet (5 of them)
- Avenger
- Kitty Hawk
- Matt Hall (aerobatic display)
- Paul Bennet (aerobatic display)
- Sky Aces (formation display team)
- C-27 Sabre
- PT-17 Stearman
- Husdson
- Canberra
- Wolfpits pro
- Rebel
- Taipan (helicopter)
- Neptune
- Spitfire
HOW TO GET THERE
Shellharbour Airport (formerly Illawarra Regional Airport) is adjacent to the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail, approximately 20kms south of Wollongong CBD and 100kms south of Sydney City Centre.
TRAIN
The closest station to Illawarra Regional Airport is Albion Park.
Event attendees can cross the Princes Highway under traffic control and should follow the direction of event staff on site.
BUS
A free shuttle bus will be available throughout the airshow days running between the offsite car park and the main entrance gate.
For more information visit Wings over the Illawarra - Getting There.
CAR
- There will be designated parking areas at the airport for VIP and Gold Pass holders only during the airshow.
- Offsite parking will be available for General Admission patrons a short distance away from the airport. A FREE shuttle bus service will operate to and from the main entrance gate throughout each day of the airshow.
ADMISSION
Gates open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (No patrons will be admitted prior to 9:00 am.)
Air display times: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm Saturday & Sunday
General admission tickets are available in advance from the Wings Over Illawarra website and will also be available at the gate on the day.
- NO student concessions are available for the event.
- Under 5 years - free.
- 5 years to 16 years - Child.
- Over 16 years - Adult.
Pass outs will be available at the Main and Gold Pass entry gates. Persons leaving the event who do not obtain a pass out, will not be able to re-enter the event on the same ticket.
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WHAT CAN I BRING?*
Chairs
- Limited seating will be provided for general admission attendees to view the airshow. Visitors are permitted and encouraged to bring chairs with them.
- Reserve seating is provided for all Gold Pass holders.
Food and drink
There will be a variety of food stalls available throughout the event site, but you are permitted to bring your own food and non-alcoholic refreshments.
Footwear
Wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to walk a lot.
Cameras
- Cameras and videos are encouraged.
Sunscreen and sunglasses
May is a beautiful time of the year the sun can get hot so be sure to pack in some sunscreen and sunglasses.
Prams and strollers
Bring your pram or stroller if you like but single-seat prams will be available for hire at the event if you want to leave them at home.
Pets
No animals are permitted on the event site.
Bicycles
No bicycles will be permitted on the event site.
Scooters and Skateboards
Scooters and Skateboards are not permitted at the event.
Concession Tickets
- Ticket concessions are available for general admission Pension Card holders only. The Pension Card must be shown at the gate upon entry to the event.
ATMs
- Automatic Teller Machines will be available at the event. Locations will be marked on the site map and in the program available on the day.
SMOKING
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the bounds of the airshow area. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cig or e-cigarettes), personal vaporisers, electronic nicotine delivery systems, or other battery powered vaporisers. Those wishing to smoke will need to obtain a Pass-Out which are available at the Main and Gold Pass entry gates. Please be aware that persons leaving the event who do not obtain a Pass-Out will not be able to re-enter the event on the same ticket.
*Source: Wings Over Illawarra
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