The 33rd Aviatická Airshow

The 33rd Aviatická airshow

The 33rd annual Aviation Fair took place at the Pardubice airport over the weekend of June 7th and 8th. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, more than 22,000 spectators attended the event over the two days.

„Last year, the weather wasn’t kind to us and disrupted the arrival of many aircraft. Fortunately, this year it wasn’t as severe. With the exception of the Bückers from Germany and aircraft from the Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum, all the announced aircraft arrived. Still, the rain and especially strong winds caused significant complications on both days, forcing us to rearrange the program,“ said Jan Rudzinskyj from the Aviation Fair organizing team. He added: „The program included performances by the Czech Air Force with CASA and Gripen aircraft and the Sokol helicopter. A crowd favorite was the paratrooper drop by soldiers from Chrudim. Military aircraft from abroad were represented by the powerful twin-engine Tornado from Germany, featured in a static display, as well as the L-410UVP-E of the Slovenian Air Force, which accompanied the Slovenian Pilatus PC-9M. We saw its performance last year when its full aerobatics display captivated the audience, and the Slovenians were also impressed by the Pardubice atmosphere—so they returned this year and didn’t disappoint.“

The local Centre for Aviation Training in Pardubice also took part, showcasing various demonstrations, including the premiere of the L-39NG Skyfox aircraft, which was introduced into service at CLV this year.

This year’s Aviation Fair was a showcase of several premieres. Alongside the Skyfox, it included the debut of the only airworthy World War II Avro Anson Mk.I twin-engine bomber, flown into the Czech Republic in early June. It is part of the RAF Station Czechoslovakia collection in Podhořany and marked its first presentation in the Northern Hemisphere. Another highlight was the legendary Hawker Hurricane Mk.II fighter from the Točná Aviation Museum collection, making its debut at an airshow.

Also making their debut at a Czech airshow was the Swiss group Classic Formation, known for their tight formation flying with the legendary C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft and a trio of twin-engine Beechcraft 18s. Their performance was truly a spectacle, earning the Swiss team the award for best flying display.

The AP Squadron also had its full debut, demonstrating aerial dogfights from World War I with three aircraft. A notable moment was the replica of the Aviatik Berg aircraft flown by world-renowned pilot Dan Griffith. The squadron also includes a replica of the aircraft designed by Ing. Jan Kašpar, which made its first flight under extremely adverse conditions on Sunday.

There were many more participants, with the flying program lasting nearly five hours. It’s worth mentioning the large group of historic aircraft from Austria flying in Red Bull livery, as well as Czech aerobatic pilot Petr Kopfstein with his Edge 540 aircraft. All pilots delivered outstanding performances and deserve admiration for handling the challenging weather, especially the strong winds,” added Jan Rudzinskyj.

„As in previous years, we prepared a variety of contests for children, which attracted many young visitors to the Aviation Fair. Those interested could enter a raffle with 24 lucky winners receiving valuable prizes, including an air travel package,“ explained Marie Schillerová from the organizing team. “This year, we also held several talks and autograph sessions. As always, the flight simulators drew interest, along with the model aircraft exhibits and a car show ranging from vintage vehicles to the latest models. The RAF-themed camp and demonstrations by both professional and volunteer firefighters also proved to be crowd favorites.”

Traditional partners of the ground program included the Czech Army, Air Force, and LOM Praha, s.p., CLV Pardubice, who showcased a wide range of military and aviation technology. The Czech Police and Pardubice City Police were also present. The Czech Prison Service once again attracted attention with its dynamic demonstration. The Aviation Fair offered a rich all-day program not only for aviation enthusiasts but also for families with children.

„As I often say, the best way to experience the Aviation Fair is to come and see it for yourself,“ added Marie Schillerová.

The 33rd Aviation Fair was successfully held thanks to the support of numerous partners, the skills of the performing pilots, and the enthusiasm of the spectators. The organizers thank everyone and look forward to welcoming you again in 2026 for the next Aviation Fair.