Phuket Andaman Airshow dazzles the crowds at Phuket Airpark

PHUKET: The Phuket Andaman Airshow and Fly-In returned yesterday to Phuket Airpark, with a crowd of roughly 400 spectators and private aircraft from all over Southeast Asia.

This year’s event, which celebrated the extension of the Airpark’s runway to 800 neters, had some special bonuses, including a heart-pounding show of aerobatics, an equally exciting appearance 14 bikini-clad competitors for the title of Miss Phuket Airpark, and a race between an airplane and a Land Rover.

In its second year, the Fly-In saw pilots show off their machines to the public, allowing aviation enthusiasts young and old a chance to get a closer look at some state-of-the-art aircraft.

Ten airplanes from Malaysia and other parts of Thailand flew in for the event, which included an aerobatics show by the world renowned Les Vorosmarthy in his 350 horsepower German-built ‘Extra 300 L’ aircraft.

The family-friendly Fly-In also included airplane rides, canoe races, Thai dancing and a barbeque, and there were prizes on offer to pilots for the best aerial stunts.

In what may well have been a ‘world first’, Land Rover won widespread acclaim when one of its vehicles tore down the grass-strip runway faster than a Zenair plane flying roughly ten meters above it.

Phuket Flying Club president Captain Watana Thinphanga was on hand to judge the Miss Phuket Bikini 2011 competition.

Phuket Airpark is the island’s only private airport and covers 116 rai about six kilometers east of the Heroine’s Monument.

This weekend’s Fly-In was sponsored by Movenpick, Land Rover, Bikini Banana, Pattaya Airpark and the Phuket Gazette.