Wide Bay skies came alive yesterday with the start of the three-day Wide Bay Australia International Air Show 2009.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the Queensland Government granted the Wide Bay Australia International Air Show 2009 $10,000 in Q150 Community Funding to stage the largest general aviation air show in Australia.

Mr Lucas said the trade show, which kicked off the show yesterday, attracted international delegates from as far afield as China.

"This bi-ennial air show was started eight years ago by a group of Wide Bay aviation enthusiasts," Mr Lucas said.

"Now it's one of the biggest aviation shows in the southern hemisphere which speaks volumes for the energy and enthusiasm for aviation in the region.

"This is only the fourth time the show has been held and it's organised by a board of local business people who have a passion for aviation that stems as far back as Bert Hinkler, the person who put Bundaberg on the map.

"Hinkler built gliders and flew them off Mon Repos Beach. His aviation exploits include a solo flight from England to Australia in 1928 and the first solo flight across the South Atlantic in 1931.

"Today that same spirit of determination, guts and enthusiasm can be seen amongst Wide Bay's innovative aviation entrepreneurs including those behind Jabiru Aircraft and Jabiru Engines Australia, Seabird Aviation Australia and Dean-Wilson Aviation.

With this year being Queensland's 150^th birthday, it's a great time to celebrate how far we have come in aviation. This year Queenslanders get to celebrate our people, our places and our stories and that includes the rich aviation heritage and future of Wide Bay.

Richard King-Siem, Chief Executive Officer of the air show said this year's show celebrates the local aviation energy through an air and photography competition for under 18s, vintage aircraft displays as well as a display covering the region's aviation spectrum from Hinkler to the present day.

"The show is the largest general aviation air show in Australia, and that's something as Queenslanders we can be proud of," Mr King-Siem said.

"Yesterday's trade show has attracted delegations from China, Pakistan, Singapore and Malaysia to showings of local and international aviation equipment from North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

"Today and tomorrow there's an action-packed program of ground and air displays including precision aerobatics.

"Those magnificent men and women in their flying machines from the Russian Roulettes to the Caboolture owner builder pilots in a World War I re-enactment and a P40 World War II fighter air display from Mareeba will thrill the crowds.

"We're expecting as many as 30,000 people to come to the show over the three days.

"More than 200 privately owned aircraft are due to fly into Bundaberg for the show with more than half from interstate."

The Queensland Government's $4 million Q150 Community Funding program offered grants between $2000 and $10,000 to communities to help them mark Queensland's anniversary in ways that were meaningful to them.

There are more than 500 Q150 Community Funding activities and events around the State for Queenslanders to enjoy in 2009.