AFRICA’s largest aerospace, defence and security exhibition – the bi-annual Africa Aerospace & Defence 2008 (AAD) show – takes place at Ysterplaat Air Force Base in Cape Town this week, from Wednesday, September 17 to Sunday, September, 21. The show is open to the trade from Wednesday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being public air shows. Gates open at 06h00 on the public days. Organisers say more than 400 companies from more than 30 countries will be exhibiting this year. These include all major suppliers of civil and military aerospace, defence, and security equipment to the South African government, as well as local, regional and global suppliers of civil, military and security products, systems, components and services. Depending on the weather, organisers expect 17 000 trade visitors and 140 000 spectators on the public days. More than 200 foreign and local journalists are expected. AAD 2006 drew 22 000 trade visitors and 90 000 spectators. Daily flying displays will include latest Air Force aircraft (Gripen, Hawk, Agusta A109, the SA Navy’s ship-borne Super Lynx helicopters, the Rooivalk and Oryx). On display in the general aviation sector will be latest aircraft like Dassault’s 7X business jet (which can fly non-stop from Europe to Johannesburg) and NAC’s new Hawker 4000. A new addition to the show is a dedicated section for light sports aircraft, including home-built and kit aircraft, micro lights and gliders. A SA Navy submarine and frigate and a British Royal Navy ship are scheduled to berth at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront during the show. There will also be interactive displays, simulators and model-building competitions as part of a youth development programme.