MONDIAL DE L'AIR 98

For the first time was the Mondial de l'Air (World Air Leisure Ehibition) held on the Gap-Tallard (France) airport, an exhibition showing all the air disciplines. From both the exhibitors and visitors, the overall satisfaction was excellent.

The Mondial de l'Air 99 will take place at the same place:

MONDIAL DE L'AIR 1999 - From May 21 to 24 Gap-Tallard airport (France) Information: Carnavol Website

This exhibition has the cleverness to coordinate efforts from a whole region - the southern Alps - around airsports, and brings as well a didactic dimension: number of schools come to visit, hence attracting and educating a new generation of future pilots.

The only negative point is that it is held on the same week-end as the Bois de la Pierre (which has been using this date for more than 10 years), and therefore prevents the presence of autogyros. Let's hope that this will be corrected for the year 2000.

Few true news during this exhibition - but we know that the number of exhibitors wil be by far increased during the '99 edition.

We noted that the Gipsy, single-seater with folding wings and that will be powered by a 25 HP Zanzottera MZ 34 motor might become the lowest priced machine at FRF 49'500.- on the French market. That "French Airbike-lookalike" might allow younger and less rich pilots to fly, and we will test it as soon as possible. A positive initiative that we will give a closer look.

A number of manufacturers attended this first edition, the pictures below being only a small part of it. You may click on the Allegro's picture (1st upper left) to see our test on this ultralight.

The Mondial de l'Air offers its visitors a number of events and activities - day and night -, ranging from the local gastromy and small buisiness to exhibitions and demonstrations of all kinds, including kite-powered cart, Army and Gendarmerie information booths, etc.

On the didactic side, a number of schools visit this exhibition, allowing the youngsters to get a point of view on air leisure activites of all kinds - including Leonardo da Vinci's findings presented by people dressed like they did at that time - and preparing a new generation of air fans. We have here to salute a whole region's efforts to provide a professional service, allowing visitors to get a wide panorama on our activities.

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