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By Sally Dulson
Thousands turned out on Saturday 27 September for the opening day of the RAAF Richmond Centenary Airshow. Families arrived with picnic rugs, chairs and eskies, ready to watch a full program of flying and ground displays celebrating 100 years of the base.
Unlike many large events where people compete for the best vantage point, this was an accessible show for everyone. Because the action was in the air, every spot was a good one. No matter where you sat, you had a clear view of the displays. This gave the whole day a calm, friendly atmosphere, with families relaxed on the grass or concreted areas, and people lining up patiently to explore aircraft or meet the pilots.
Photos by Joel DelRio
The flying displays showcased the full range of Air Force skill, from fast jets to heavy airlifters, and kept eyes trained on the sky throughout the day. Fighter jets roared overhead, climbing vertically before rolling back down with ear-splitting speed. At one point, a fast jet executed a flat spin — climbing sharply before pivoting into a controlled 180-degree spin that seemed to hang in the air before powering away. It drew audible reactions from the crowds and showed the precision of Air Force pilots at their best.
C-130J Hercules and C-17A Globemaster III airlifters impressed with steep turns, low passes and tactical manoeuvres rarely seen outside a military environment. A C-27J Spartan released heli-boxes onto the airfield, demonstrating a ground resupply mission, and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport flew past with its refuelling boom extended. The Roulettes aerobatic team added trademark precision, looping and rolling in tight formation before breaking away in perfect timing. Afterwards, the pilots signed posters for long but cheerful queues.
On the ground, visitors explored a wide range of static aircraft. The Hercules medium-sized transport aircraft was especially popular, with families walking through its cavernous cargo hold, while the C-17A Globemaster III and C-27J Spartan were also open for inspection. Heritage aircraft from No. 100 Squadron gave a nod to the past, completing a program that balanced history with modern technology.
Getting to the base was slow, with traffic building on surrounding roads and queues at the gates. By the time I arrived, the runway was open and entry was seamless. For me it was smooth, but the RAAF later acknowledged that wasn’t the case for everyone and offered refunds to those who turned back — a gesture that showed accountability from organisers.
Among those enjoying the day was Cadet Gabby Clark, who is partway through her training giving us an insight into becoming a pilot.
“At the start you do a few months of ground school and theory before you get anywhere near a cockpit. After about a year you can start assisted flying… If you want to go further, like into more advanced or commercial-style training, that can take another 18 months or so.” - Cadet Gabby Clark
Online reactions reflected both frustration and praise. Some, like Narelle Parkinson, described three-hour delays and long waits with children. Others, like Ian Jones from Brisbane, praised the flying and called the refund policy the right decision. Debbie King Weiden said the wait was “well worth it,” while Joe Mizzi urged lessons be learned to make the next show “bigger and better.”
The combination of thrilling flying, interactive displays and community spirit made the Richmond Airshow a fitting celebration of the base’s century of service.
Writer’s note: On Sunday 28 September, the second day of the airshow was disrupted by severe weather warnings. From mid-morning the flying schedule was reshuffled, with the major jet displays brought forward before the event was cancelled at around 1:15pm due to a possible hailstorm. The Roulettes and the C-17 Globemaster did not fly, disappointing many who had hoped to see them. Announcements on the day directed train passengers to remain on base under shelter until conditions cleared, though some conflicting advice to leave early caused confusion. Despite the early close, RAAF personnel remained at the static displays until organisers ordered shutdowns, ensuring visitors who stayed still had a chance to engage with the exhibits.
