Air show opens in Bali

BULELENG, Bali (JP): State Minister of Tourism and Culture I Gde Ardhika opened a three-day international air show, the Buleleng Fly-In 2001, on Friday morning at Lt. Col. Wisnu airfield in Sumberkima, Gerogak district, about 65 kilometers west of Singaraja, the Buleleng regency capital.

Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar and Air Force Chief of Staff Commander Marshall Hanafie Asnan failed to attend the show. They were represented by subordinates.

Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha also failed to show up. Only Buleleng Regent Wiratha Sindhu accompanied Ardhika at the opening ceremony.

"I hope that the airfield can be transformed into a more representative one," Ardhika, who hails from Singaraja, said during his opening speech. Ardhika, however, demanded that the local government together with the Indonesian Aerosports Association (FASI) carry out a comprehensive study before the airfield is developed into a center for aerosport in Bali.

Meanwhile, Buleleng Regent Wiratha Sindu said the air show would be an annual event. "We plan to lengthen the runaway to accommodate more types of light aircraft," said the regent about one of his ambitious plans.

Some unexpected technical problems occurred prior to the opening ceremony. A number of light aircraft failed to land on the runway, while numerous participants could not obtain flight approval from related agencies. (52)