RAAF announces F-35A Lightning II stopover and fly-past
Cairns plane spotters are counting down the days to the first ever touch down of a highly advanced supersonic, stealth fighter at the Cairns Airport. When and where to catch the F-35A.
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Cairns plane spotters are counting down the days to the first ever touch down of a highly advanced supersonic, stealth fighter at the Cairns Airport.
An F-35A Lightning II jet participating in Exercise High Sierra will make an extended low pass over the northern beaches while arriving at Cairns Airport on Friday, December 6.
Aviation enthusiast and Down Under Aviation News contributor Jonathan Williams said it was an exciting event to host the flyover as well as a stopover at the general aviation section of the airport.
“It’s the most advanced fighter we have and quite new and it’s going to be quite a special event,” he said.
Mr Williams said the event had been organised by Director Regional Air Domain Posture Group Captain Stewart Dowrie.
Captain Dowrie, who grew up in Cairns, has been tasked with implementing a new strategy to integrate the air force and the navy and to make the most of Far North civilian facilities as a springboard into the Pacific in line with the 2023 Defence Strategic Review that recommended the hardening of northern bases amid increasing Chinese hostility.
The visit of the single jet attached to the Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit will involve landing, refuelling and a static display (parked aircraft) to enable local airport operators, emergency services and community leaders to understand the specific requirements of hosting military aircraft.
The first F-35 low level pass is scheduled for 10.50am and a second extended flyover will take to the skies over the Cairns Esplanade at 1.15pm before turning south.
All flying is subject to change, including short notice cancellation, due to variables such as air traffic control, weather and operational requirements, according to the Australian Defence Force.
Australia has sourced 72 of the F-35A Lockheed Martin aircraft for three operational squadrons at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Tindal.
The final batch was delivered earlier this year.
It’s been a busy period for Cairns aviation lovers with the arrival of the much anticipated Antonov AN12 last week and the beautiful Dassault Falcon 900 on Monday.
One of the world’s largest military transport aircraft, the Antonov An-124, made a dramatic entry into Far North airspace to the excitement of aviation enthusiasts in May and in June an F/A-18F Super Hornet did a low level fly-past of the Cairns Esplanade.
Ms Williams said a range of factors including the geographic location of Cairns made for a wide variety of avionic visitors to the airport.
“We are the first customs station and people who ferry new aircraft like to come through Cairns, it gets a lot of US military use, and executive jets staying (at island resorts) have to come to Cairns to clear customs,” he said.
Next week the best place to see the F-35 is the little carpark at the end of Tom McDonald Dr where the plane will park up on the apron outside the Jet Aviation building and on departure be near the Cairns Hospital for the best view of the aircraft taking off over the city.
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Originally published as RAAF announces F-35A Lightning II stopover and fly-past
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