The extended airshow program includes fly-bys of vintage aircraft, RAAF planes and helicopters, with up to 60 pilots involved on the day, taking off and landing at Jandakot Airport.
Aerobatic displays, a seaplane landing and a biplane dogfight will also feature in the sky above the river.
Pilot Werner Buhlmann said the airshow was a unique event with pilots rarely able to do aerobatics over the river and city.
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READ NOW‘Most places in the world, you can’t come to the city and get a close look at airplanes as they do aerobatics,’ he said. ‘It is also a privilege for pilots.’
Mr Buhlmann, who has been involved in the airshow for 23 years, will be flying three different planes and a helicopter on the day.
‘Flying the float plane on Australia Day is very special because it is the only time we can actually land on the water and take off,’ he said.
The show is a part of the 30th Australia Day celebration hosted by the City of Perth on the Swan River foreshore, which is expected to attract 300,000 people.
Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the celebrations had evolved to become the biggest Australia Day celebrations in the country.
This year’s event runs on both sides of the river with activities for children, families and young people starting from 2pm and celebrations finishing with fireworks at 8pm.