A few weeks ago, the 2026 Pacific Airshow was on the Gold Coast and ran from Friday the 14th to Sunday the 16th of August 2026 at Surfers Paradise, returning after the 2025 event was cancelled following the damage caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
It was reported that more than 285,000 people attended the 2026 show, and organisers are expecting another huge crowd for the 2027 return.
There was a terrific mix of military, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft and some very unusual performers.
Some of the major highlights included: - RAAF F-35A Lightning II — undoubtedly one of the big crowd favourites.
- RAAF Roulettes flying their precision PC-21 routine.
- RAAF C-130J Hercules
- CAC CA-18 Mustang
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII
- P-8A Poseidon from the US Navy
- US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey
- Yak-110 — probably one of the strangest-looking aircraft at the show.
- T-33 Silver Star
- Strikemaster and Jet Provost
- PC-9
- Matt Hall and his MXS
- Emma McDonald in her Extra 300L
- Bo-105 helicopter
- Pitts Special formation
- Gold Coast Skydive
- and, making their Pacific Airshow debut, Gravity Industries' jet suits.
The jet suits were particularly spectacular because two pilots actually flew above the beach using small jet engines mounted to their arms and backs. The M C reported that the pilots could reach around 400 km/h, making this one of the more unusual attractions ever seen at the Gold Coast show.
Over the course of three days, I took more than 5,500 photos and, whenever I had the chance, I went through them to pick out ones to share. During that time on the coast, we experienced all sorts of weather, from clear blue skies to heavy overcast and light drizzle.
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| AIRBUS HELICOPTER H125 VH-KMI (MSN 7377) 14 YEARS |
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| JET POWERED BODY SUITS |
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| McDERMOTT AVIATION BELL 214B BIG LIFT VH-SUF (MSN 28056) 45 YEARS |
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| AIR TRACTOR AT-802 VH-SDJ (MSN 802-0054) 29 YEARS |
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AIR TRACTOR AT-802A VH-NFY (MSN 802A-0402) 15 YEARS
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| SURF LIFE SAVING AIRBUS HELICOPTER H135 VH-SLQ (MSN 649) 18 YEARS |
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| MBB Bo 105S N13TZ (MSN S550) |
Pease check back daily as I will be posting more photos of the fast jets and heavies when time permits.
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