Best of AIRPOWER24

2 days, 250,000 visitors, over 200 aircraft from 20 nations and perfect weather for taking to the skies! AIRPOWER24 was the perfect stage for spectacular aerobatics and a breathtaking event for the entire family.

It’s AIRPOWER time! Following a two-year break, 250,000 air show enthusiasts transformed the Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg into the venue for the largest air show in Europe. The visitors were treated to numerous highlights over two days, including five different displays with more than 30 rarities from the Hangar-8 fleet. On top of all that, the popular international flight squadrons Patrouille Suisse from Switzerland and Patrulla Águila from Spain showed off their impressive formation flights, giving goosebumps to young and old alike. The Austrian Armed Forces also had their diverse repertoire of aircraft on display, providing popular photo opportunities for countless visitors. One thing is for sure: the many spectators at AIRPOWER24, organized by the Austrian Armed Forces, the Province of Styria and Red Bull, will remember this exciting event for a long time to come.

Air show fans from all over Europe flocked to the Hinterstoisser Air Base bright and early at 7 in the morning on Friday and Saturday. For two days, they transformed the area around Austria's largest airport into what is probably the world's largest open-air spectacle for the entire family. The Murtal valley in particular showed its sunny side on Saturday, making Zeltweg in Styria the ideal stage for the aerial acrobats with their impressive formation maneuvers and high-flying stunts. After the emotional opening with the Austrian Armed Forces and the parachutists from HSV Red Bull Salzburg landing on the airfield carrying the Austrian flag to the song "I am from Austria" by Reinhard Fendrich, the superlative air show truly took off! Our fleet was right in the middle of the absolute highlights of the art of flying, with some of the most beautiful, and also some of the rarest aircraft in history. In total, we had over 30 aircraft on display on Friday and Saturday, including the North American B-25 "Mitchell" (built in 1945), the Lockhead P-38 Lightning (built in 1944) and the legendary Douglas DC-6 (built in 1958). The DC-6 became known worldwide as Marshal Tito's Yugoslavian "Air Force One". With its impressive size and throaty engine sound, it is considered the "crown jewel" of our illustrious fleet.

We went full throttle in the air too. The "Lift-off Legends", with the BO-105 helicopters, the unique Cobra and the Edge 540, marveled the crowds with something never before seen, a twin looping by two Flying Bulls helicopters, piloted by Felix Baumgartner and Mirko Flaim. The most difficult question for the 250,000 spectators at AIRPOWER24 was: where to start if you want to list all the highlights? In total, there were over 200 civil and military aircraft from over 20 nations, around 40 of them from the Austrian Armed Forces alone and over 30 historical aircraft from The Flying Bulls. The static display of around 60 aircraft proved to be a very popular photo opportunity for the many visitors. Once again, the Red Bull Skydive Team was a highlight of the AIRPOWER24 program. 

The Flying Bulls Chief Pilot for Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Raimund Riedmann: “Two wonderful days at AIRPOWER24 are coming to an end for us. We often call it a "home game in the Murtal valley", but it is much more than that. It is two days of aerobatic demonstrations at the very highest level. AIRPOWER24 is a real celebration for aviation, and you can tell that from the joy and enthusiasm of the spectators. When we look out of the cockpit and see a sea of fans, including many families on picnic blankets and deck chairs, that is something very special for us too. These are impressions that you never forget and the positive response from the spectators is the greatest reward for us Flying Bulls,” summed up the Chief Pilot for Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Raimund Riedmann. “On behalf of Red Bull and the Flying Bulls, I would like to thank our partners, the Austrian Armed Forces and the Province of Styria, for the outstanding cooperation in preparing and organizing AIRPOWER24. And of course, once again to our fans: Thank you very much!”

Speaking of noise: The local heroes from Styria proved that an air show doesn't always have to be loud and fast to get the crowd excited. The Red Bull Blanix  team performed their demanding aerobatics program with two LET L 13 Blanik gliders, which were brought to their starting altitude of around 1,500 meters above the Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg by means of a spectacular double tow with the help of an Extra 300 L from the Flying Bulls. After disengaging, the glider acrobats performed flying art at its finest, providing the quietest highlight of AIRPOWER24!

While one highlight followed the next in the air, the Red Bull Aviation Area was a source of amazement on the ground. 12 years after the "Red Bull Stratos" mission, it still fascinates young and old today. On October 14, 2012, extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, who was also part of the air show as a helicopter pilot at AIRPOWER24, jumped from a pressure capsule at the edge of space from the mind-boggling height of 38,969.4 meters, reaching speeds of up to 1,357.6 km/h as he soared back to Earth. At AIRPOWER24, visitors were able to experience the jump for themselves with AR and VR in the Stratos VR Experience. For two whole days in the Red Bull Aviation Area, fans were also able to get a feel for the incredible "Tunnel Pass", as well as take a close look at a skydive suit from the Red Bull Skydive team. The Red Bull Aviation Area was also the scene of a very special treat for AIRPOWER24 visitors. At "Meet the Pilots" on Friday and Saturday, after the final aerobatic displays, the amazingly talented pilots answered questions from their fans. For many, it was a very special moment that they will never forget, being able to meet Felix Baumgartner, the Flying Bulls pilots and the Red Bull Skydive Team in person, and even snap a few selfies!