New feature: Axalp Fliegerschiessen Story
After a lot of hard work I have finalized my Axalp Fliegerschiessen photo report that is held at the Ebenfluh shooting range in Switzerland every year by the Swiss Armed Forces. It can be found here. Curious to here what you think. Let me know!
Unique airshow in Switzerland
I have been visiting the Axalp Fliegerschiessen airshow on a regular basis since 2005. The venue is truly unique in the world as it is one of few places where you can see fighter jets shooting live ammunition. All of this in a perfect alpine mountain setting. Given the fact that I have gathered many unforgettable moments here, it was only logical that Axalp Fliegerschiessen would be the topic of my first photo report.
The Ebenflüh Shooting Range of the Swiss Air Force. It sits in a natural amphitheatre at 7365 feet above sea level, and has been in use for target practice by the Swiss Air Force since 1942.
Every year in the third week of October the public is welcome to see live shooting practices on the three designated targets. It all sounds very inviting, until you hear that you have to climb all the way up the mountain from the Axalp village yourself, which is a two to three hour walk depending on your condition.
Program of the Axalp Fliegerschiessen demo
The Axalp airshow usually has a fixed program that consists of:
- Live ammunition shooting on various targets by the Boeing F/A-18 Hornets of the Swiss Air Force
- Solo demo of the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
- A demo drop of paratroopers sporting Swiss flags
- A demo of the Cougar Helicopter
- Demonstration of the Patrouille Suisse
- A SAR demo of the EC-635 Helicopter
How to get to Axalp
It can be bitterly cold and unfriendly up there in October. However, until now I have almost every year I been able to have a cold beer in the sunny afternoon sun in my T-shirt. I have made an extensive guide for everyone that is planning to visit Axalp. You can find more info in The Axalp Guide here.