Malta International 2023

Luqa Airport and St Paul's Bay, Malta 23-24th September 2023 Report by Peter & Kim Davison This biennial gathering on a Mediterranean island was disrupted by Covid so had not been held since 2018; hence the local population was ready and waiting in large numbers, particularly with advanced notice that the RAF Red Arrows would grace their skies. With the commercial airport now busier than ever, particularly with low cost carriers, only the static display was held at the airport with an afternoon flying display to the north at St Paul's Bay providing a free show for coast lovers. Sadly, due to extreme winds and concerns for a maritime rescue should there be an incident, the Sunday display had to be cancelled.

Grass Roots Fly-in 2023

Popham Airfield, Hampshire, UK, 18-20th August 2023 Report by Peter & Kim Davison & Colin Coulthard This eagerly awaited event is the annual gathering for microlight and homebuilt aircraft from around the United Kingdom. Although the early weather forecast looked fine a wind and rain event scuppered arrivals on the Friday but had blown through by Saturday lunchtime. Around 150 visiting aircraft arrived followed by nearly a hundred on Sunday.

Royal International Air Tattoo 2023

RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, 14-16th July 2023 Report by Peter Davison & Colin Coulthard Reputed to be the largest military airshow in the world RIAT certainly lived up to its name this year. Compared to the dry sweltering heat of 2022 the weather this year was disappointing; Friday was almost totally washed out with severe wind and continuous heavy rain, the Saudi display team being the only significant fliers. Saturday and Sunday also had frequent heavy showers but the sun shone occasionally. With numerous surface attractions with some shelter the crowds still came and enjoyed this amazing spectacle.

Paris Air Show 2023

Le Bourget, Paris, France 18-25 June 2023 Report by Peter Davison & Colin Coulthard This spectacular showcase of world aviation, returning after the pandemic, never fails to impress. This year just arriving on time was an issue with almost no car parking due to a new rail station being constructed on site for the upcoming Olympic Games. Once there though there was ample reward for the effort. The environment was centre stage with new initiatives and stories of the potential impact on the industry of electric power, new materials and fuels struggling to 'make a difference'. This had no effect on airline orders with massive contracts announced for over 700 new airliners for delivery well into the 2030s.

Microlight Trade Fair 2023

Popham Airfield, Winchester, Hampshire, UK 29-30 April 2023 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This annual festival of lightweight aviation incorporates a compact trade event with lectures, talks and sales areas with a popular start to Britain's shrinking airshow diary. Blessed with some of the best spring weather of the year, not only did it attract over two hundred microlight aircraft but also hundreds of enthusiasts keen to exercise their cameras and notebooks after a grey, damp winter and early spring.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022

Whittman Field, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA 25-31 July 2022 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This event just keeps getting bigger! Attendance: Approximately 650,000 – A record total (previous mark: 642,000 in 2019) and 7 percent above 2021’s attendance of 608,000. Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 18,684 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 21-31, which is an average of approximately 121 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open. Total showplanes: 3,226 included: 1,375 registered in vintage aircraft parking, plus 1,156 homebuilt aircraft (up 6 percent over 2021), 369 warbirds (up 5 percent from ’21), 137 ultralights, 87 seaplanes, 77 aerobatic aircraft, and 25 rotorcraft.

Royal International Air Tattoo 2022

RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, UK 15-17th July 2022 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard Well, what a scorcher! Record temperatures, record crowd and a mind-blowing selection of exhibits both static and flying. After two years off the calendar a memorable return of the World's greatest military airshow. Given the global security situation the amazing gathering of aircraft from across the planet pays tribute to the atmosphere of cooperation and mutual support created by the team behind this inspirational event.