FROM 27-28 APRIL, SALE ROARED TO LIFE BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR AS VISITORS DESCENDED ON THE ANZAC WEEKEND AIRSHOW.
Nestled between pristine Gippsland beaches and the foothills of the Victorian High Country, the town of Sale tends to be a serene one, where visitors come to escape the rat race, rest and rejuvenate. That is, except for the ANZAC Day long weekend.
From 27-28 April, Sale roared to life both on the ground and in the air as visitors descended on the second instalment of the ANZAC Weekend Airshow. Across both sunny autumn days, the SportPilot team were in attendance to cover all the action.
There was a shared feeling of excitement as the gates swung open on Saturday morning. A crisp Gippsland morning was giving way to cloudless skies, perfect for a day full of aerobatic displays and aviation marvels.
The day’s entertainment was kicked off with displays from Paul Bennet’s SkyAces aerobatic team and a fascinating formation display of vintage Tiger Moth aircraft.
Crowds began to pack the event area, with patrons keen to get up close and personal with a number of static aircraft displays, including the mighty Douglas DC-3 parked in the centre of the grounds. Displays from the likes of Tecnam and Anderson Aviation allowed eventgoers to get a look at some of the most cutting-edge recreational aircraft on the market, while Pilatus’ PC-12 and PC-24 displays showcased the luxurious side of aviation as well. Patrons were also treated to plenty of entertainment in the form of live music, simulator trials, market stalls, vintage fashion shows and delicious food.
Despite such a strong ground presence, all eyes were firmly on the skies as a constant stream of aerial displays took place across both days. The RAAF Roulettes once again captured the hearts and minds of the audiences with their thrilling and technically-brilliant aerobatic manoeuvres. The Roulettes were a crowd favourite for sure, though perhaps a home-sky advantage was evident, as the team is based at nearby RAAF Base East Sale. More thrilling stunts from Paul Bennet and his team of daredevils drew plenty of oohs and ahhs, as his famous Wolf Pitts Pro appeared to defy the laws of physics again and again.
The stunt shows were not limited to aircraft however. The Hot Wheels Stunt Team, led by renowned racing and stunt driver Matt Mingay, showed off their mastery in their Super Trucks, spending plenty of time in the air themselves. Perhaps the most exciting stunt moment came when Bennet and Mingay teamed up for a ‘Truck vs. Plane’ race, that saw the two go head-to-head for bragging rights on each day.
As the sun set on the final day and crowds began to dissipate, it was clear that the second running of the ANZAC Weekend Airshow had been another huge success. With over 14,000 eventgoers across the weekend, it’s clear that the appetite for aviation in regional Australia is as alive and well as ever. We can’t wait to see how the 2026 event will build on the strong foundation that has been set out in Sale!
