The Aviation Studio

Home
Australia
Brisbane, QLD
The Aviation Studio

The Aviation Studio Bringing quality aviation photography and news from Australia and beyond ✈️

22/01/2025

French Navy Rafales touch down in Australia!

A trio of Rafale M fighter jets from the French Navy (Aéronautique Navale) have been spotted at RAAF Base Darwin, marking their presence in Australia’s top end as the French Carrier Strike Group sails through the Indian Ocean. The group, led by the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, is currently participating in Exercise La Perouse 25, a major multinational military exercise focused on the Indo-Pacific region.

The Charles de Gaulle’s embarked Air Wing Carrier consists of up to 30 aircraft, including the Rafale M, E-2C Hawkeye, and a variety of naval helicopters. Australia's HMAS Hobart has also joined the exercise, which kicked off last week and will conclude on Friday.

Thanks to Brodie Lawson for contributing these photos!

13/01/2025

Some of the many aerial assets being used to fight the wildfires around the Los Angeles area.

Saturday January 11 was a massive day for the fleet, with Large Air Tankers (LATs) such as 10 Tanker Air Carrier's Tanker 912 and 914 performing nonstop fire retardant drops to prevent the Palisades Fire from encroaching on residential areas to the north of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

In parallel, rotary wing operators were putting out the flames across multiple fronts in the Palisades and Eaton Fires, refilling from reservoirs around the metropolitan area.

14/12/2024

A busy week to end the flying year at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown!

On Thursday 12th December, 2OCU returned from Exercise High Sierra 24-1 — the final phase of the F-35A operational conversion course for the newest generation of fast jet pilots. This marked the largest formation flypast of the type in Australian service.

On Friday 13th December, 16 F-35As took to skies as part of the 3SQN change of Command with an impressive elephant walk on their taxi out. With 69 of 72 F-35A now delivered to Australia, the final three are set to arrive over the coming days.

12/11/2024

Certainly not an everyday sight at Sunshine Coast Airport with two Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers stopping by today. This aircrew familiarisation flight is part of a wider defence initiative as part of the 2024 National Defence Strategy with the Air Force utilising regional airports, private aerodromes and airstrips within northern Australia.

An additional pair of Growlers were simultaneously on the ground at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport drawing large crowds to both airports. In recent months, F/A-18F Super Hornets have also made appearances in Cairns, Hobart, Mildura and Mount Isa.

Didn't get the chance to see them today? Another pair will be visiting the Sunshine Coast tomorrow arriving at 11:30am and departing at 2pm.

14/10/2024

The 2024 iteration of San Francisco Fleet Week comes to a close! With a much clearer day today, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels put on a brilliant show. Supported by several acts such as the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B, the Patriots Jet Team and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, Fleet Week is one of the most impressive West Coast airshows on the calendar.

13/10/2024

That's a wrap on Saturday of San Francisco Fleet Week with some great representation from United, F-22 Raptor Demo Team, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Marine Corps!

26/09/2024

Today marks the end of an era with the final flight of the KC-10A Extender by the United States Air Force. Affectionately known as the 'Big Sexy', the KC-10 has served for 43 years following the type's first flight in 1980.

No stranger to Australia, the KC-10 was a common sight at Brisbane Airport during large scale exercises such as Talisman Sabre and for coronet missions in support of fast jet deployments across the Pacific.

The final active airframe from the 60th Air Mobility Wing, 79-1948, will be making its final flight today from Travis Air Force Base to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for divestment at AMARG.

20/09/2024

Rare - Japan Maritime Self Defence Force Kawasaki P-1 as "Japanese Navy 1-3" arriving into RAAF Base WIliamtown on Friday afternoon.

防衛省　海上自衛隊　(Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force)

08/09/2024

Day two of AIRPOWER24 with another fantastic lineup of demonstration teams and displays to huge crowds at Zeltweg Air Base. Check out the last photo for a small glimpse at the crowds in front of part of the static lineup!

07/09/2024

Rainy skies did little to deter large crowds from descending on Zeltweg Air Base for day one of AIRPOWER24! It was a fantastic day of flying in the mountains of Sytria with a range of demonstration teams on display from across Europe alongside a first visit from the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team!

04/09/2024

The Royal Australian Air Force's 82nd Wing, stationed at RAAF Base Amberley, is currently hosting a deployment of three B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. These aircraft are undertaking a Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment from their home base of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. The B-2 Spirits are assigned to two distinguished units: the 509th Bomb Wing and the 131st Bomb Wing.

This deployment exemplifies the ongoing strategic partnership and operational collaboration between the United States and Australia, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the B-2 bombers.

31/08/2024

The heat didn't stop crowds from flocking to the Brisbane CBD this afternoon for a series of thrilling displays today by the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army!

The countdown is now on for next year's Riverfire performances! What was your favourite display from today?

30/08/2024

The Royal Australian Air Force putting on a lunchtime display with two F/A-18F Super Hornets lighting it up over the Brisbane CBD in preparation for Riverfire tomorrow evening!

Flying displays kick off from 4:55pm tomorrow afternoon with fireworks at 7:00pm.

29/08/2024

A thrilling first day of practice displays in the Brisbane CBD today for this year's Riverfire as part of the Brisbane Festival! Both the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army graced the skies today with their C-17 Globemaster III and ARH Tigers!

Tomorrow the F/A-18F Super Hornet will be on show at 12:30pm!

19/08/2024

This year's Bomber Task Force deployment to RAAF Base Amberley is in full swing with all three B-2 Spirits getting into the air throughout the day. 'Banjo 82' is seen here on recovery this evening just after sunset on return from off the coast of New South Wales.

18/08/2024

Third and final day of the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast for 2024! The day drew to a close with approximately 250,000 attendees visiting Surfers Paradise across the weekend. All eyes are now on the 2025 edition expected to be held yet again in August!

17/08/2024

Day two on the Gold Coast for the Pacific Airshow! Clear skies and perfect temperatures brought a packed out crowd to Surfers Paradise.

Only one more day to go with another packed flying program in store for tomorrow! What was your favourite moment from today's display?

16/08/2024

Spirits return to Australia!

Under the cover of darkness last night a pair of B-2 Spirits arrived into RAAF Base Amberley as 'Clone 11' and 'Clone 13'. This is the second deployment to Australia in recent times following their last visit in 2022 supporting the Enhanced Cooperation Initiative between Australia and the United States.

Address

Brisbane, QLD

Website

https://theaviationstudio.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Aviation Studio posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Aviation Studio:

Videos

Airside Action at Exercise Pitch Black 2024

Ever wondered what it's like to stand alongside the runway during Exercise Pitch Black? Join us for nearly fifty arrivals and departures from RAAF Base Darwin during a busy morning of flying activity. Prefer to watch on YouTube? Check it out there using the link below: https://youtu.be/N2SCVd_wRts

Mindil Beach Flying Display | Exercise Pitch Black 2024

Highlights from the Mindil Beach Flying Display as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2024. A fantastic array of aircraft were on show from 16 nations, with a total of 50 aircraft lighting up the Northern Territory skies against a fiery sunset and packed crowd. The Marina Militare AV-8B+ Harrier and F-35B Lightning II hovering display and Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet handling display were noted as crowd favourites with every country offering their own unique flair to the lineup. Tomorrow morning, RAAF Base Darwin will be open to the public as part of a free open day with the ticket allocation already exhausted. Gates will be open from 9:00am till 4:00pm, with a shuttle bus running to and from the Darwin Showgrounds.