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GIFAS: Reaching for the Sky

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

October 2, 2008

thomas

PARIS, October 2 /PRNewswire/ —

– From 4 to 12 October 2008, the French Aerospace Industry Will be
Taking Over the Champs-Elysees to Celebrate its Centenary

With a combination of respect for the unknown and the desire to conquer
it, the French have always had a passionate relationship with the skies, so
close and yet so far. For the centenary of the French aerospace industry,
Gifas is keeping the flame alive, inviting members of the public –
enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike – to discover this great industry
that is France’s pride and joy, in an open-air exhibition on the
Champs-Elysees, transformed for the occasion. Through a rich programme
including exhibitions of aircraft, equipment and photographs, an
Environment pavilion, a Training & Employment forum, activities and talks,
the public will be immersed in the history of a fabulous saga, reminding us
that, in the words of Saint-Exupery, “All grown-ups were children first…”

Centenary of the French aerospace industry:

The longest-held dream of humanity… on the world’s finest avenue.

It was on 11 January 1908 that a group of aviation pioneers (Robert
Esnault-Pelterie, Louis Bleriot, Gabriel Voisin et al) founded the Chambre
Syndicale des Industries Aeronautiques, a trade association designed to
lend an industrial dimension to something that, up to that point, had been
nothing more than a sport. Then, in 1975, following several changes, the
association took on a new dimension and became known as the Groupement des
Industries Francaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales – Gifas. The story of
aviation is therefore closely linked with that of Gifas, which will, from 4
to 10 October 2008, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of the
French aerospace industry. The scene of this great event will be the
Champs-Elysees in Paris where, throughout these emblematic centenary
celebrations, a spectacular exhibition of aircraft and related equipment as
well as a host of talks and activities will be organized. An exceptional
week therefore, when people will have the opportunity, alone or with the
family, to wander along the world’s finest avenue reliving the story of one
of the longest-held dreams of humanity. The event will also be an
opportunity for Gifas to inform the public about the industry’s expertise
and the issues facing the aerospace sector today. The keynotes of the event
will be the industry’s harnessing of the most advanced technologies, the
high skill level of its personnel and the R&D programmes focused on
minimizing its environmental impact. It will be an opportunity to take
stock and see how far the industry has come since its beginnings. The event
is being organized in partnership with DHL, the Air and Space Museum and
Aero-Club de France. Also, during the same week in Paris, Gifas will bring
together a large number of European industry professionals for the annual
Convention of the ASD (AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of
Europe).

Exhibitions:

When the Champs-Elysees turns into an aircraft carrier.

The centenary exhibition will be open to the public on the
Champs-Elysees, between the Rond-Point Marcel Dassault and the Place de la
Concorde, from 4 to 12 October 2008. This unique event will be an
opportunity to see many of the most prestigious aircraft and associated
equipment ever developed. Visitors will be able to walk around in the midst
of some legendary aircraft (the Potez 25, Bleriot XI, Spad XIII, the Cornu
helicopter, the fuselage of the Farman Goliath, the nose section of the
Caravelle, the Mirage III, etc.) as well as some of the industry’s latest
jewels, such as the celebrated Rafale, parts of the Airbus A380, A340 and
A320, civil and military helicopters, the Ariane 5 launcher and a wealth of
other equipment including engines, satellites, onboard equipment ,flight
simulators, etc.

This bridge across time, illustrating technological development by
example, will undoubtedly fascinate neophytes and aficionados alike. In
parallel, the photographer Alain Ernoult will show thirty of his best shots
around the obelisk. Illustrating the symbiosis between men and machines and
often taken in extreme conditions, his spectacular photographs will show
the history of French aviation in a new light.

“Et Icare a depasse les etoiles…”: The different sections of the
exhibition brought to life in a light and sound spectacular.

Through six travelling scenes created specially for the centenary of
the aerospace industry, a group of actors will invite you to a show in six
“stopovers”: on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, get on board
with Icarus, Paquerette and the lovely air hostess for a journey through
100 years of aerospace history.

The entire exhibition will come alive with a subtle mix of humour,
emotion and education, an astonishing presentation of historical anecdotes
and songs.

A spectacular light show will transform the Champs-Elysees into a huge
landing strip at nightfall.

An enchanting, fun way to discover how the universal dream of flight
became reality. Until a new dream captures our imagination and takes us on
a different journey

Trades-professions-training-education area:

To help young people’s careers take flight.

The French aerospace industry generates highly skilled jobs by virtue
of its technological requirements. Young people will be able to find out
about the careers of the future in a major forum organized in the Place de
la Concorde, in front of the Jardin des Tuileries. Throughout the week,
they will be able to obtain personal advice, browse a dedicated website and
consult the aviation and space media library to find answers to all their
questions. But the high point will be from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 October,
when the Forum Air & Espace will bring together all those involved in the
sector (aerospace companies, airlines, the armed forces, training
establishments, etc.) and will host talks and meetings with professionals.
In parallel, general public and educational events and talks will ensure a
fun yet educational approach to this Forum; treasure hunts using GPS, an
aviation quiz and a careers presentation with the Espace d’Orientation
Airemploi are some of the delights in store.

Aerospace & Environment Pavilion:

A responsible industry.

Gifas will be taking advantage of the centenary to highlight the
efforts made to address the environmental challenge of our times. As part
of the Grenelle Environment Forum, Gifas has signed the Environment and Air
Transport Agreement with the French ministry of the environment,
sustainable development and planning, a real demonstration of the
commitment of all industry players. The industry is turning to advanced
technology to design cleaner, quieter aircraft that use less fuel. The
European Clean Sky programme, which aims to reduce emissions of carbon gas
and nitrogen oxide as well as perceived noise, will also be presented to
the public in this Pavilion, where manufacturers will present the results
of their research and report on current and forthcoming projects and
initiatives.

30th anniversary of Jacques Brel’s death:

A look back at the life of a poet and aviator.

Jacques Brel died on 9 October 1978. On the occasion of the Centenary
of the French aerospace industry, his second aircraft, the Wassmer Super
421, will be on show near the Rond-Point Marcel Dassault, on a bed of sand
reminiscent of the Marquesas Islands, which were close to the artist’s
heart. A number of events will be organized to evoke the world of Jacques
Brel. Polynesian dancing, tattoo art and music from the Marquesas Islands
will be some of the related themes explored, while at the same time the
celebrations remembering the death of the “man with the plane” will be in
full swing in Polynesia.

SOURCE GIFAS

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