If you’re an airshow fan, you probably already heard or (or went to) the Axalp. If not, let me give you a short description. This airshow takes place in the Swiss Alps, in the region of Brienz. The site is not exaclty friendly and the spectators have to walk for one an a half hours in the Alps to reach it…

Spectators are installed on top a ridge, and can see the targets. Yes, targets. Not only the army displays flying aircrafts, but the program also includes air-ground shootings. Want more ? As the planes come along a valley, the spectators can see them flying by at same level.

After the shootings, the pilots dive behind the ridge where the targets are located. You can find spectacular pictures by googling “Axalp” for pictures. But there is something you won’t find that easily: a view of the targets… from the air.

(click for full size picture – 2.0MB)

A passenger took this photo when flying by, en-route to the Grimsel Area. The flashy red dots are the kind of targets the pilots shoot at during the airshow. This has been taken on a sunday, and there was probably some military exercises planned the next week.

On the left, you can see a couple of houses where the air-show crew is based, and offering some services to the spectators, which are installed on the ridge in foreground. If you want to join the next edition, it’s planned on the 8th and 9th of October 2008.