Aviapedia

Visit MAKS 2007

Following AeroIndia 2007, international aviation specialists are preparing for the Le Bourget Salon in June, where leading companies will present their latest innovations and developments. .

But the real treat for professionals and aviation fans is yet to come. Later this summer, in August, the Zhukovsky airbase near Moscow will host MAKS 2007, the International Aviation and Space Salon, and - one of the world’s leading aviation forums. The concept of MAKS is to demonstrate the Russian industry’s readiness to exploit its cutting-edge technology in joint ventures foreign partners,. This is not only a major business and scientific event,but a practical demonstration of all the features of modern aircraft. MAKS has become a quite spectacular air show.

At the last MAKS, in 2005, the number of spectators reached half a million. Now the organisers of MAKS are aiming to make Zhukovsky into the Russian Le Bourget and Farnborough combined - and this year it looks as if their plans will come true.

The list of participants includes all the major Russian and international companies, After the success of MAKS2005 the majority of stands were booked a year in advance.

This year MAKS is hosting the FAI World Grand Prix, the Aerobatic World Championship, for the first time ever in Russia. Amongst the pilots competing this August are three Russian women, including the famous Svetlana Kapanina, who has won the women’s competition 5 times and is accepted as the best female aerobatic pilot of all time.

But the main attraction of MAKS will undoubtedly be the demonstration flights showing all types of aircraft: fighters, trainers, helicopters, strategic bombers, transport and cargo planes - and the fantastic performance by Russian Air Force pilots, the famous Strzhi and Russian Knights aerobatic teams. There will be a demonstration of the newest Russian fighter, the MiG-35, which was first presented at Aero India and received many accolades, both from pilots and from the creators of modern fighter planes. Russian pilots will also show their impressive skills on the MiG-29OVT and the other great aircraft that Russia will be presenting to the international industry. International pilots who have already confirmed their participation will present the B-52, F-15, KC-135, C-17, and 2 Mirages, and the Patrole de France group will give their impressive display. The full demonstration flight program is yet to be confirmed, but already there are rumours circulating that the latest Su-35 may be presented for the first time.

This year brings another unique opportunity for everybody with a passion for aircraft and space technology. For the first time ever, you can visit MAKS 2007 by participating in the AeroSpace Tour put together by – the British-based company GoRussia Ltd. You don’t have to be an engineer, pilot or businessman to take part; the tour gives everyone the chance to discover the latest achievements of the Russian aerospace industry. The tour runs from 20/08/07 to 27/08/07 in Moscow, and includes a full day visit to Zhukovsky.

Apart from this unique opportunity to visit MAKS, participants will have the chance to discover the history and the modern realities of the Russian aerospace industry. The tour includes a visit to the working Space Control Centre at Star City, and the Air Force Museum at Monino, with its fantastic collection of planes showing the history of powered flight from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day.

The museum’s collection includes the first passenger supersonic plane, the Тu-144 - one of 8 left in the world; the Mi-6 and Mi-12, the biggest helicopters in the world; М-50, М-4, and Тu-95, the long-range strategic bombers, both serial and prototypes; the legendary Il-2 Sturmovik; the historic La-7 fighter tail No 27, the actual plane piloted by the legendary Triple Hero of the Soviet Union, Air Chief Marshal Ivan Kozhedub, flying which he shot down first Me-262; and the first four-engine heavy bomber in the world, the Ilya Murometz built by famous Igor Sikorsky.

This is also a great chance to discover the beautiful city of Moscow and to learn more about contemporary Russian culture.
The tour programme was created by people who are passionate about planes and space, for people who share the same interest. GoRussia Ltd is proud to present the Aerospace Tour for enthusiasts who would like to learn more about Russia, one of the major players in the aerospace industry, and the country that inaugurated the Space Age by launching the first ever space flight 47 years ago. The creators of the programme want share our vision of Russia as a country with a great past and even greater future, with people who value the cultural and scientific achievements of our civilization.

For more information and details of the tour visit MAKS tour description page on the GoRussia site.

Or call us on (+44) 208 434 34 96, or send email to Anna Lebedeva, the MAKS 2007 tour manager.

We welcome participants from all over the world. We can arrange visas for everybody, as well as a programme, on request. There are also budget options available for groups of 6 or more.

For all Aviapedia Visitors: quote AVIAPEDIA with your booking and get £25 discount.