The Africa Aerospace & Defence Exhibition is here!

The 22-23 September 2012 are two of the five days set aside for the public to come and experience the marvel of air, sea and land technology on display as well as to witness the breath-taking aerobatic displays at play.

The show makes for an ideal day out for family and friends with lots of entertainment for everyone to enjoy. The displays of aircraft, trucks and armoured vehicles and an entertainment park for children, featuring vehicle demonstrations, definitely makes for an interesting exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy.

The exhibition also serves as an open day for career and youth development programme, where youngsters (learners and students) can experience the world of flight simulators, vehicle simulators and model building. Industry representatives are on hand to provide more information about careers in the aerospace and defence industries.

The City of Tshwane will see the world's premium exhibitions, which hold a prominent position in the aviation calendar; this exhibition takes place every two years in the month of September. The year 2012 marks the seventh year of this prominent exhibition at play with:

• 7 hangars
• 92 confirmed civil and military static aircraft
• 350 exhibitors (40% foreign exhibitors)
• +/- 300 accredited media from all over the world

• VIP DELEGATIONS
• 120 from defence ministers level up to service chief level

• 12 NATIONAL PAVILIONS
• India, Russia, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Belgium, China, USA, UK, Romania, Pakistan and Brazil
• 27 COUNTRIES EXHIBITORS: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Jordan, Namibia, Netherlands, P.R. China, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Finland, USA

• TOP 15 BIGGEST EXHIBITORS: ARMSCOR, BAE Systems, CSIR, DCD, Denel, German Pavilion, Indian Pavilion, Integrated Convoy Protection, Italy, Mercedes Benz, Paramount, Russian Pavilion, Thales Group, Turkish Pavilion, USA Pavilion

This is one event; you do not want to miss, especially since it is only here every two years. Tickets are on sale at discounted prepaid tickets and available from Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers-Hyper and House & Home at R40 (adults) and R30 (children under 12 and pensioners). Visit their website www.computicket.co.za

Gates open from 0600 until 1800 with flying displays starting at 0800 and will be held regularly throughout the day until 1700, weather permits.

It's expected that the open days will attract a crowd of over 50 000 per day. The City of Tshwane in conjunction with AAD is working closely with Tshwane Metro Police, Emergency Services, the SAPS, fire and rescue services and Disaster Management to manage thousands of people expected to attend AAD2012 Air Show

For more information on African Aerospace and Defence, please visit www.aadexpo.co.za