Commercial

On Friday, April 12, the closing of the III° version of Space Summit was held at the Conference Center of FIDAE 2024, attended by the Undersecretary for the Armed Forces, Galo Eidelstein Silber; Major General and Space Director, Luis Sáez Collantes; Major General (A) and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Roberto Vittori, and Mario Sepúlveda, surviving miner of the San José mine.

The final day included the launch of the innovation program “Ad Astra”, as well as a meeting with the Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori and the miner Mario Sepúlveda, in addition to various talks on artificial intelligence and air power in security and defense.

Finally, Major General (A) Luis Sáez Collantes said that the III° version of Space Summit was a great success due to the participation of distinguished guests and companies that presented great topics to generate interesting debates on space matters.

The International Air and Space Fair has the particularity of being the first event of its kind organized entirely by an Air Force, which requires the deployment of thousands of Military Aviators from different Air Brigades throughout the country. Several weeks in advance, they began the work of support in logistics, food, security, maintenance, and a long list of work areas that require excellence.

The logistics of operations, from planning to implementation, is an extremely complex task in an event of this magnitude and must meet the needs of international delegations and companies during the first stage of the Fair and family audience during the weekend. Among the personnel that provides services in these tasks is the Airman First Class Barbara Alarcón, recently graduated from the Escuela de Especialidades “Sargento 1° Adolfo Menadier Rojas” as a Systems Mechanic. Since the beginning of March, she has been at the FIDAE premises.  “It has been a very nice experience, I have been able to meet many comrades, and I have learnt more about FIDAE itself and also more about my occupational specialty,” says Airman First Class Alarcón.

During the preparation of the event, she supported in the movement, assembly and installation of the aircraft and once the exhibition was inaugurated, she has been working in the Access Gate N° 1. She is responsible for receiving the national authorities, special guests, international delegations, the press and the general public. “It has been a very pleasant experience, people have not had problems and have felt comfortable, and we also bring the Air Force closer to the people and make them interested in it,” she says.

One of the most expected exhibitions by the public, the air shows are the ones that generate the most expectation. But in order for the aircraft and their pilots to get applause, on the ground there is a whole human team taking care of the safety standards and maintenance of the air material. Master Sergeant Fernando Castillo is a mechanic on ground fuel installation of the II° Air Brigade. His attention was focused on fuel quality control and delivery it to the aircraft, from reception, certification, and load of the product with the refueler trucks. “For us, during the phase prior to FIDAE, we do the planning of operations, but during the Fair itself, there is an increase in the load, and we must increase performance,” says Sergeant Castillo. They provide 24-hour service and during the show they receive support from the personnel of the I° and V° Air Brigade, he added.

This is his ninth time in FIDAE, instances in which he has had the opportunity to get up close to aircraft that are unusual on the apron, such as the F-22 Raptor and the Airbus 350, along with the logistical preparation required to meet the requirements of these aircraft. “It is not the same to load an aircraft with 2,000 liters of fuel, than one like the KC-10, which on Sunday loaded 70,000 liters, so more personnel are needed to support the maneuvers. This group of people we work with has a very strong link with the occupational specialty and we generate a pleasant cohesion, forming a great human team, the times are well managed according to the planification and we can successfully execute the mission”.

Given the large arrival of personnel at Pudahuel Air Base, the Base’s own work must be strengthened, as is the preparation of food. In that sense, Airman Jenifer Cisternas, cooking as  occupational specialty, has a responsibility to all his comrades. Used to working at the Garrison Casino, this is her first exhibition and since February, she has been providing services. “We have formed a very united team, supporting us constantly. Here the demand has been high, there are thousands of rations that must be prepared, so we must come ready to deliver everything so that all goes well, and people can receive a meal of excellence,” she says. She also recognized that the workdays are very exhausting. “We are cooking from 7:30 in the morning to eight at night sometimes, all day here, we arrive at the house, sleep and come back, because food is super important. Comrades require strength and that depends fundamentally on us”, she said.

Nevertheless, they managed to organize themselves to be able to tour the Fair, “The air shows are what I like the most, especially the Halcones and the foreign aircraft. I would be very happy to work again in another FIDAE, getting to know and supporting other areas where work needs to be done”, says Airman Cisternas.

Like them, there are thousands of Military Aviators who are part of this great organization, who work every day to give the best of themselves, guaranteeing the public that they will witness an event of the highest level, being able to learn more about aviation and the Chilean Air Force.

On Saturday, April 13, the public visited the Technology Fair in FIDAE 2024, an exhibition in which you can appreciate some of the technology and innovation that are part of the Air Force.

In the fourth edition of the event, the public interacted with different platforms related to four areas: space, maintenance, defense, and education.

Regarding the aspects related to space technology, the Space Operations Group (GOE by its acronym in Spanish) presented some software which are used to know the position of satellites and the National Satellite System mission was revealed.

GOE also presented the labor developed by the SAF (Aero Photogrammetry Service) and the SAR (Search and Rescue (SAR).

One of the attractions were the virtual reality simulators of the División de Educación and the F-16 which was one the most demanded platforms, both by children and adults.

Sebastian Pizarro, who attended along with his child and wife, said that “it is interesting to see how they are using the technology and how they are presenting what the Air Force is at a space research level or with the flight simulators they have in the Fair, especially the F-16 simulator. In this way, people can be more aware and can learn about what it feels like to be inside of an airplane and also this can connect military aviators with the civilians in a better way”.

The Technology Fair counted with the participation of the of the Aviation School “Capitán Manuel Ávalos Prado”, which presented a flight simulator, use by the Sub-Alféreces to prepare in their area of flight in the T-35 Pillán aircraft. Meanwhile the School of Specialties “Sargento 1° Adolfo Menadier Rojas” surprised the public with a virtual firing simulator. On the other hand, the Academia Politécnica Aeronática revealed its work in the scientific and technological areas.

In the aeronautical matter, the attendees interacted with the technology used by different FACH’S Units oriented to aircraft maintenance, such as the 52^nd Group of Maintenance, which exhibited a Bell 206 helicopter engine. The 51^st Group of Maintenance and the 5th Air Brigade Training Center. Meanwhile they presented a flight simulator with an aircraft F-16 Block 50 fighter aircraft engine, used for instruction of both the students and engine mechanics.

In the weapon system area, the Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Special Forces Regiment “Tactical School” presented Oerlikon anti-aircraft warfare systems and MANPADS stations.

In addition, the company de Desarrollo de Tecnologías y Sistemas (DTS), a subsidiary of the ENAER (National Aeronautical Company of Chile), exhibited models, engines and the Bellum Virtuale aeronautical simulator.

Official Delegations are the State Representatives that attend FIDAE during the Trade week, such as high executives belonging to the Government, Armed Forces, Space Agencies, Embassies, among others. On the other hand, Trade Delegations are made up of companies’ representatives and executives, Government Institutions, and the Armed Forces, trade associations, chambers of commerce, commercial and cultural attaché offices of embassies, universities and institutes for professional formation, institutions for research and development of technology and innovation, among other agencies that have a direct or indirect professional interest in the areas of FIDAE.

At this point, Official and Trade Delegations had the opportunity to learn about new technologies, explore new markets, establish protocol and commercial contacts, as well as to create new chances for what is related to the fields of ivil & Commercial Aviation, Defense, Airport Equipment and Services, Homeland Security, Aircraft Maintenance, Space Technology, UAV (RPAS), and Cybersecurity areas.

It is in this environment that FIDAE 2024 has already confirmed the attendance of representatives of governmental organizations of Defense, Armed Forces, Embassies, Governments, Order and Security of countries such as Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, among others.

The organizers of the International Air and Space Fair, Kallman Worldwide, the United States Pavilion in FIDAE 2024, the U.S. Embassy, Make a Wish Chile and the foundation Fundación Tantauco joined together to organize a visit to the Aerospace Show with a group of children from the Teletón and the Corporación de Amigos del Hospital del Río (COAR).

The visit took place on Friday, April 12, and the objective was that the children along with their parents could live a magical experience and make their dreams come true. They were able to learn about the aircraft and attractions of the Aerospace Exhibition in a day full of emotions. During the tour, they shared with the astronaut and Former Space Shuttle commander, Mike Bloomfield.

Claudia Cornejo, the CEO of COAR, appreciated the experience: “It is gratifying being here because we can give a present to the families of the foster home, along with the children who are looked after at the Hospital Roberto del Río. They are happy!”.

Meanwhile, Bernadette M. Meehan, the U.S. Ambassador to Chile, said that it is always good for her country to collaborate with FIDAE: “For the children of the foundations, it has been an unforgettable experience. They were able to tour and explore in a different way”.

On the other hand, Tom Kallman, President of Kallman Worldwide, emphasized that “The children of these foundations are so brave, they live very challenging situations, and everybody likes airplanes and enjoy parachuting. We hope they had a great time because we had too”.

The International Air and Space Fair together with Turbus, official transportation company of FIDAE 2024, will have itineraries from April 9 to 14, with the aim of facilitating the transfer of those visiting the Fair.

During the week of the Trade Show, from Tuesday April 9 to Friday April 12, buses will depart from the Terminal Turbus Alameda (Universidad de Santiago Metro Station) and from the Terminal Metro Pajaritos, from 08:00 to 15:00 hours, every half hour.

During the weekend of the Air Show, from Saturday April 13 to Sunday April 14, buses will only depart to FIDAE from the Terminal Turbus Alameda (Universidad de Santiago Metro Station), from 08.15 to 15:00 hours, every ten minutes. For the return to Santiago, a point of sale will be set up at the FIDAE boarding area.

Tickets can also be purchased through www.turbus.cl (Santiago-FIDAE) and will cost $2,700 (CLP) each way. Meanwhile round-trip tickets will cost $5,000 (CLP). Children under 1.20 meters tall are free of charge.

In each of these symposia, attendees and invited experts analyzed and discussed the themes addressed in conferences and seminars organized by the Fair with the longest trajectory and recognition in Latin America.

In this twenty-third edition, the III° version of Space Summit was held, which consisted of various symposia with the objective of laying the groundwork for the National Space System in the national culture, as well as focusing on space systems and new SATCOM (satellite communication) technologies. Distinguished authorities participated in the event, such as the director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Aarti Holla-Maini.

Whitin the framework of Space Summit, the Meeting of Space Agencies of the member countries of Italo-Latin American International Organization (IILA) was held. This meeting brought together representatives from the member countries of the intergovernmental organization, and fostered cultural, socioeconomic, techno-scientific, and cooperative relations between Italy and Latin America.

Among the exhibitors who captivated the attendees, Petr Bares, honorary president of the Czech Space Alliance, stands out. The president gave a talk titled: “Space technologies to strengthen the competitiveness and economy of the Czech Republic.”

Another expert who motivated the audience was the Chilean geographer Marcelo Lagos, who gave a presentation about climate change entitled: “Territories at risk in a changing world.”

As part of the cycle of international conferences and within the framework of Space Summit, LARS -Latin American Remote Sensing- was inaugurated. It is a professional meeting where Dr. Patricia Oliva and Dr. Gustavo Medina presented, along with astronaut Mike Bloomfield, who shared details of his latest trip to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, as well as Salvador Primo, Rodrigo Roa, and Shinichi Nakazuka. It is important to note that during the development of LARS, spaces for dialogue and exchange of experiences in the field of remote sensing were created.

From the Civil & Commercial Aviation field, the investigation of air accidents was addressed in the seminar: “Challenges in Accident Investigation Processes (AIG)”, organized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), which sought to promote various factors of aviation security and implement operational safety management.

Additionally, the V° International Congress on Aeronautics and Space Law was held, organized by the Instituto Chileno de Derecho Aeronáutico y Espacial (IDAE) a forum where international law applied to Air and Space was addressed, including Criminal Sanctions and Jurisprudence of Aeronautical Crimes.

Also, the “XX° Meeting of Logistics Commanders of the South American Air Forces” took place. There, specialists presented and exchanged experiences to seek opportunities for improvement in logistic processes.

Similarly, the attendees of Space Summit actively participated in the conferences given by the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Claudio Araya; Guillermo Cifuentes and Dr. Paulina Assmann; Diana McKissock; Joseph Gerber; Colonel Raj Agrawal; General and Astronaut Roberto Vittori; Captain Rich Niven; and Rodrigo Mendoza.

In addition, FIDAE 2024 included commercial conferences organized by the main companies representing of the areas of Civil & Commercial Aviation, Defense, Airport Equipment and Services, Aircraft Maintenance, Homeland Security, Space Technology, Cybersecurity, and UAV (RPAS).

On April 10, Hall B, the Spanish pavilion was inaugurated. Organized by the Spanish Association of Technology Companies in Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space (TEDAE by its acronym in Spanish) within the framework of the twenty-third edition of the International Air and Space Fair.

This event was headed by the Spanish Ambassador to Chile, Rafael Garranzo, accompanied by the Chief of the Air Force Logistics Support, José Luis Pardo.

According to what the Ambassador said during the activity, “it is very important to be present during FIDAE, since it is the main Fair in Latin America and one of the five most important in the world. Therefore, Spain, through TEDAE, could not be absent”.

Once again, the International Air and Space Fair ratifies its importance as a business platform and a gateway to the region’s market.

On Wednesday, April 10, astronaut and former NASA Space Shuttle commander Mike Bloomfield was the first to speak. The outstanding professional participated in three space missions, accumulating more than 753 hours in Space.

The first of his space flights was in 1997, when, as pilot of the space shuttle Atlantis, he flew the STS-86 mission. The second flight was in 2000, when he flew the Endeavour spacecraft, in charge of the STS-97 mission. His third and last mission was STS-110, which took place in 2002, as commander of Atlantis. About his last expedition, he recalled that “to be able to flight safely into space, I studied the shuttle cockpit manual for over a year”.

Before becoming a renowned astronaut, Bloomfield graduated from the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy in 1981. There, he became an F-15 fighter pilot and instructor, and in December 1994, he was selected by NASA.

On Thursday, April 11, it was Major General Roberto Vittori’s turn. He is one of the most experienced European astronauts, who attended the Italian Air Force Academy between 1985 and 1989, where he graduated as a military pilot. Vittori has over 2500 flight hours, in more than 40 aircraft models, among which stand out the F-104 Starfighter, Tornado Gr.1, and Mirage 2000.

In July 1998, he was selected as an astronaut by the Italian Space Agency, participating in three space missions in 2002 (Soyuz TM-34), 2005 (Soyuz TMA-6) and 2011 (STS-134).

About his Soyuz trip, he recalled that “it was a wonderful liftoff, and it took us about eight minutes and thirty seconds to arrive into space at a speed of 30,000 kms per second. Seeing the blue planet gives you a positive energy. It’s incredible”.

With world-renowned exhibitors, FIDAE confirms its position as an integral exhibition, becoming a center of knowledge and debate.

The purpose of the forum is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and promote opportunities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation among the member agencies.

With the purpose of “Making progress in the strengthening of Space Governance in the Latin American region”, the Third Meeting of the Space Agencies of the member countries of IILA, Italo-Latin American International Organization, was inaugurated on Tuesday, April 9, within the framework of the International Air and Space Fair.

The ceremony that inaugurated this meeting, organized jointly with the Chilean Air Force, was chaired by the Secretary General of IILA, Antonella Cavallari, along with the FACH Space Director, Major General (A) Luis Sáez Collantes, and the Head of Staff of the Division of Technological Development and Industry of the Undersecretariat of Defense, Yerko Benavides.

“We have to work together so that Latin America is more present in the field of space cooperation, and the IILA favors that cooperation and integration of mutual knowledge,” said Secretary General Cavallari as its main attribute.

The meeting will last until Friday, April 12, and will be attended by delegations from 13 space agencies and counterparts from IILA member countries that will participate which are Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Chile. For its part, the seminar program will address, among other topics, innovation and development in the region; strategies for strengthening space agencies; challenges and opportunities related to strengthening the space sector and boosting science and technology, among others.

This event will conclude with a tour of FIDAE by a delegation and a visit to the stand of the Chilean National Aeronautics Company (ENAER), on Friday, April 12.