PITCH BLACK RAAF DARWIN AIRSHOW 2026
We were contacted by the RAAF to supply an event wide WiFi solution, after successfully completing this for them at a different airshow event in 2025. Our brief was to provide a full wifi solution for all during the RAAF Pitch Black Open Day in Darwin in 2026. Importantly, our brief was categorised into 3 top priorities:
- Vendors and Exhibitors
- Public WIFI
- RAAF Team
OUR SCOPE
Picture shows the Element Live Team testing the WiFi on the apron of the airshow
The RAAF have an exceptional ‘Airshow’ events team, who work tirelessly to structure and then run a very sophisticated event for the general public. Each element of the event is meticulously planned and considered. With this in mind, the team wanted to ensure that the vendors were able to take payments for their services during the day. They also wanted the exhibitors to have full access in order for them to sell their items. Additionally, the general public needed access to messaging apps in order to make calls and contact loved ones during the day. This would be important should they wish to if the cellular became degraded.
Our team are primarily a live production company. We also have a full IT company which was always considered separate until we began to realise the total synergy between live production and IT. Thus, using these skills, we are able to assist in large scale events providing large scale remote internet and WiFi services to all. Of course, we can include a full production on site too if required.
For this Darwin Airshow, we provided a full WiFi service using our Starlink and Ubiquiti systems.
Picture showing the Element Live Production team testing the WiFi on the apron of the airshow…to ensure all is working well.
HOW DID WE ACHIEVE THIS?
Firstly, as part of the planning process we worked with the team to plot and plan the exact points were each of the vendors would be placed. This ensured that our access points would be positioned close for them to connect to and operate seamlessly during the day. We added infrastructure to gain height. Where needed, we used point to point bridging over larger spaces.
A number of Starlinks were grouped together for load balancing of the service. We also created a full mesh service using ubiquiti equipment and reached far locations using both single & multimode fibre with 10Gbps SFPs. For instance, this allowed us to reach the entire stretch of the airspaces apron.
Our control centre was able to provide full live reporting instantly. It monitored all the connections to our services and what each connection was doing, for instance whats app, SQUARE terminals or messaging via FB.
For this to operate as successfully as it did, we used a total of 30+ ubiquiti WAP’s, switches and fibre aggregators combined to form a distributed redundant network.
It was an incredible experience, with an amazing group of people in a very warm environment. We have assisted at a number of events with our WiFi solution, and this was certainly one we shall never forget.
To find out more about our services, please contact our team today. Or for more information about our complete WiFi solution with battery powered (using solar) solutions check out our page Remote WiFi Solutions for large scale events