The flying car demonstration at the Osaka Expo resumed on July 12 after it halted operations due to a part of the flying car breaking off during a demonstration on April 26, less than two weeks after the expo opening.
Investigations showed that a material that was made for a different purpose was used. The demonstration resumed after the part was swapped and test flights were conducted.
S/ Visitor/ It was fun watching the car flying in the sky.
S/ Reporter/ Did it make you want to try?
S/ Visitor/ Yeah!
The aircraft used in this demonstration is managed by trading house Marubeni, and the aircraft managed by SkyDrive will follow on July 31. ANA and other organizations are planned to participate in the flying car demo around September.
Later in the day on July 12, Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s aerobatic demonstration team Blue Impulse made an appearance in the sky above the expo grounds.
The jet team left Kansai airport around 2:40PM and flew over Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka Castle, and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park.
Around 3PM, Blue Impulse arrived at the Osaka Expo site and performed an aerobatic routine.
The routine included an image of a sakura flower, heart shape, and circle larger than the Grand Ring of the expo, which is the largest wooden architectural structure in the world.
S/ Visitor/ It was amazing!
S/ Visitor/ It was impressive to see them fly as a squad.
The performance initially scheduled for April was cancelled due to poor weather conditions but successfully rescheduled for July 12 and 13.
July 13 marked three months since the opening of the Osaka Expo, making it the halfway point of the expo period.
Over 10 million people have visited the expo as of July 12.
This year, the region where the expo is located recorded its earliest end to rainy season and approached hot summer days.
The high in Osaka on July 13 was over 35 Celsius, making heatstroke prevention measures much needed ahead of the summer vacation season.
People have been seen transported off expo grounds from what appeared to be heat-related illness.
The expo association is lending sun umbrellas and installed misting stations as cooling tactics.
The expo plans to light fireworks every day of the summer vacation period and expects crowds of people for special events, where hydration will be essential.
AloJapan.com