A
Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules transport aircraft will
make a spectacular appearance on Sunday, February 24, as it conducts
a ‘flaredrop’ over Port Phillip Bay.
The
C-130J will be one of the many Defence aircraft on display at the
2013 Australian International Airshow, to be held
at Avalon Airport from 1 – 3 March 2013.
Beginning
shortly after 8pm, the Hercules will fly over Port Phillip
Bay towards St Kilda in a counter-clockwise direction, at an
altitude of 300 metres. It will complete a ‘practice pass’ to
ensure there are no boats or other obstructions for the flaredrop.
On
its second pass, the Hercules will dispense up to 240 flares over the
course of ten seconds, as the aircraft banks left towards
Williamstown.
The
best public vantage points will be Beaconsfield Parade and the St
Kilda Foreshore. The display may also be visible from Williamstown.
The
flares will safely burn out before they reach the water; however, Air
Force requests the cooperation of local boat owners to remain clear
of the flightpath.
The
flares serve a practical application, being part of the C-130J’s
countermeasures against attack by infra-red guided missiles.
The
display over Port Phillip Bay will also recognise this
month’s 10th anniversary of continuous deployment
of Australian Hercules to the Middle East Area of Operations, the
longest such deployment in Air Force history.
This
activity is subject to availability of the C-130J to conduct this
task, and may be cancelled at short notice. Air Force will endeavour
to notify the public through media and online if this display is
cancelled.
