Airshows

An airshow is a public display of aviators flying skill and the display of aircraft and historic aircraft.

There are a variety of reason why Airshows are organised. Some are held as a trade events and others as business ventures, many help national and local military charities. Some events on military airfield are held to promote or raise the profile of the air force.

The airshow season in the UK runs from May till October. The winter time can be used for practice and maintenance.

A number of factors limit the size and type of airshow an organiser and pilot can arrange, these include the visibility, local airspace restrictions and the weather. As the weather is unpredictable it is necessary to prepare different routines, so that they can be adapted to the conditions.

Some of the airshows in the UK are huge and attract thousands of visitors. Others are a more local affairs with a few plains and stalls. Although, we would like to list out all the airfields in the UK, it is quite a lot and knowing where they are may not help you too much, as often airshows are not held at airfields. Instead, they can be over the coast or in the ground of a stately home.

The good thing about airshows is that they attract large numbers of people and are therefore great places to have a stand or stall.

Major airshow events in the UK

You may think that because we a little island of the coast of Europe that our events would not be as large as some other countries. However, the largest military airshow in the world is held in Gloucestershire. The Royal International Air Tattoo is held each year (in July just before the Farnborough Airshow) at RAF Fairford. The event has been held at Fairford since 1985, before that it was at Greenham Common, North Weald and, Cottesmore.

The Farnborough International Airshow is another major event in the aviation calendar. This event lasts seven days and is a trade fair with flying display and demonstrations run each day.

Listed Airshows

Airshows during May 2009

Airshows during October 2008

Airshows during September 2008

Airshows during August 2008

Airshows during July 2008