The Axalp Air Show in Switzerland features performances by the Swiss Air Force at an altitude of 7614 feet. Held annually on a firing range, it allows spectators to see live firing demonstrations by F/A-18 Hornets close up, including attacks on targets just 250 meters below. The show provides stunning photography opportunities of the jets performing maneuvers like inverted flying, low passes, and firing their 20mm cannons through a gap between locations on the range.

1. Axalp AIR SHOW IN THE SWISS ALPS

3. The Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets

4. The Swiss Air Force’s Axalp Air Power Demonstration held annually, is not just an air show; it is an experience at 7614 feet (2321m) .

5. The Ebenfluh firing range is found at the top of Axalphorn Mountain in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region.

6. The Ebenfluh Firing Range is at 7614 feet (2321m) and requires quite a climb to get there.

7. Axalp offers some extraordinary opportunities for truly stunning photography

13. Some aircraft in the Swiss Air Force have the inside of the engine exhaust ports painted yellow making it appear that the after-burners are on.

15. A so-called “dirty pass” flying low and slow with landing gear down

16. The extra heavy landing gear of the F/A-18 Hornet allows for ‘aircraft carrier’ landings

19. Inverted !

23. Flying down the range corridor with guns armed !

24. Guns Blazing! If the audio timing is right you’ll hear the gun sound

25. The beauty of watching the Axalp airshow is that it takes place at the Ebenfluh firing range which allows you to see and hear live firing. Mounted in the nose of each F/A-18, is General Electric's 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan six-barrel rotary cannon.

26. Two of the four targets (#1 and 4) are situated only about 250 meters below the spectators. Seeing and hearing those attack flights of each individual fighter hitting their targets close-up is an awesome experience.

27. Aircraft fly through the gap between the control tower and the Tshingle, firing 20mm rounds at a pair of targets.During this time the path between the two locations is closed for safety reasons.

28. In the nose of the F/A-18 Hornet is an M61 Vulcan 20 mm cannon,a six-barreled, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style gun with an extremely high rate of fire.

29. M61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon is capable of shooting 6000rds/min

32. For those who make the assent, they are rewarded with some of the best aviation photography available, second only to the back seat of another jet.

37. Yes ,there are trees down there…….. and a lake !

40. Conditions were perfect to see many subsonic condensation clouds forming around the aircraft

43. Subsonic condensation cloud formation demonstrating the “ Prandtl-Glauert Singularity”

44. Swiss Air Force F/A-18C Hornet provided the “Shot Of The Day”! END Click to eject