Motril International Air Show 2022

Motril’s International Air Festival 2022
Chronicle of an unforgettable day

Speed, precision and skill; this is how we can describe this year’s Motril Air Festival 2022. The sixteenth edition of this air festival was recently held in Motril, one of the most important events for any aeroplane fan.

Moreover, this year, we have been present as sponsors and as fans and, as it could not be otherwise, we have brought the cameras for you to relive the festival again and again.

Although the big day was on Sunday, the aeronautical activity began on the previous Friday, with the arrival of the foreign teams and the first training sessions.

On Saturday morning it was time for the rest of the teams to train and, in the afternoon, we travelled to Granada airport to enjoy the static display. Harrier, A400M Tactical Display, Casa 295 or Mig 29; all displayed on the apron and open for enjoyment.

And on Sunday, with Swiss punctuality, at 11 a.m. the show started with the EC135 of the National Police Corps, the perfect prelude to the quality of the displays that awaited us.

But that’s all we need to say! We leave you with the impressive video prepared by our colleagues from One Air Pictures, enjoy!

Contents

Displays in the Motril International Air Show 2022
When and where?

June 14th 2022

Summer’s just round the corner and along with it comes Air Festivals’ season. We’re still hyped up about the Aguacate Model Air Show and we’ve already started getting ready to enjoy the next essential date.

The following June 19th, the city of Motril’s International Air Festival 2022 takes place. It is an event you just can’t miss.

After two difficult years due to the pandemic, the organisation has made sure this year’s event will beat a record, offering a variety of displays that rise to the challenge of the most important European air shows.

Motril City’s International Air Festival was started in 2006 as a small helicopter rescue exhibition at the city’s heliport. Since then, 15 editions have been held, this year’s being the 16th one.

The Andalusian Aeronautical Association Orion (AAAO) organises it and its director is Jose Miguel Perez Juarez. This year, One Air joins them as collaborators.

Displays in the Motril International Air Show 2022

The organisation has put together a display grid like it’s never done before, with more than 15 performances combining flight acrobatics, in formation, rotary wings and powerful fighter planes. Without a doubt, this cannot be missed! Following, we give you a brief summary:

AV-8B Harrier II

This Spanish fighter plane will impress spectators with its capacity to do stationary flight, which allows it to operate in aircraft carriers. If you’ve already seen Top Gun: Maverick, you’ll love it.

PAPEA Patrol

Made up of 14 parachute jumpers, they represent the elite of Spanish parachute jumping; they have won countless prizes and are backed by recognition at a global scale.

C-212 Aviocar

One of the most emblematic aeroplanes of the Air force was built in 1971 but still flies the skies. It is also in charge of the launching of the PAPEA Patrol.

Aspa Patrol

It is composed of five EC-120 Colibrí (Hummingbird) Helicopters based in Armilla. They are the only acrobatic helicopters in the world.

Eurofighter Typhoon C.16

It represents the avant garde of European fighter planes and combines the most sophisticated technology with incredible flight performance. The roar of its turbines will fascinate you.

Tiger HA-28

The Spanish army attack helicopter; along with the Eurofighter, represents Europe’s most sophisticated technology.

Z-300 Laser

One of the most powerful acrobatic aeroplanes there is in general aviation.

Sadler Vampir

A semi-aerobatic flight team. It is one of the few European ones still flying.

Gato AB-212

The propeller hum of this Spanish Navy helicopter will make you feel as if you were in a film scene.

Quixote Formation

Antonio Quintana Aeronautical Foundation didn’t want to miss the festival and will take part with two of their 337 Skymaster Cessnas, one of the few twin-engine aircraft in the world with non parallel engines.

Caiman NH-90

A great performance helicopter; its manoeuvrability and massive size will surely impress you.

EC-135 T2

This helicopter belongs to the Military Emergency Unit.

Tactical Display A400 M

The French Airforce is collaborating with the exhibition of the A400M, the most famous eEuropean transport aeroplane. Pilots´ skill in performing acrobatics flying an aircraft of such dimensions is absolutely insane.

Fulcrum Mig-29

Poland’s Air Force takes part offering one of the festival’s main courses. It is a fighter aeroplane with outstanding design and technology, even for the biggest aircraft fans. This will be one of the first occasions in which this aeroplane is seen in Spain, so we want to see you there.

When and where?

The festival will be held Sunday, 19th June at Poniente beach, in Motril, (Granada). For further information, please check out Motril Air Show’s web page.

The reference point is the restaurant ‘chiringuito El Espeto’, which means that the pilots have organised the exhibition around this point, so this is the area where you will be able to see the best crossings and figures.

The official start time for the festival is 11:00 am; however, we recommend you to arrive in plenty of time because, although the organisers will be providing several car parks, finding a parking space on that day can be difficult.

Recommendations for you to enjoy the event to the fullest

Protect yourself from the sun; wear a hat, sunglasses and use sun cream.
Stay well hydrated; it’s expected to be very hot this weekend.
Wear ear protection, especially for children. You may find the noise of some planes annoying.
Although it’s in a large open-air space (on the beach), be wary of crowds.
And finally, don’t forget your camera!

cartel-festival-aereo-internacional-motril-2022

Training for the Motril Air Festival 2022

Can’t wait to see the planes until Sunday? Training schedules for the different aircraft are already being published.

The Eurofighters of the Spanish Air Force will be in charge of the opening. On Friday at 9:00h they will arrive in Motril to make the first reconnaissance run. Training will continue during the morning and afternoon from 16:00h to 17:00h.

On Saturday morning, training sessions are also scheduled from 11:00h. In addition, Saturday afternoon has been reserved in case any team is unable to train in their allocated slot.

About Orion Andalusian Aeronautical Association (AAAO)

Orion Andalusian Aeronautical Association is based in Motril, Granada and is a non-profit cultural organisation whose aim is to spread, promote and educate in all matters relating to the aeronautical sector.

Therefore, from the moment it was founded, its activity has revolved around releasing information and bringing aviation closer to the general public through various activities, offering both private and public events such as contests, conferences, trips, airport facilities and museum or military base visits, etc.

Motril’s International Air Festival 2022