Category Archives: Exhibitions

Aerospace and Defence 2018, Waterkloof Air Force Base, Pretoria (now Tshwane) 19-23 September 2018 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This biennial show celebrated 20 years in 2018 with a much enhanced air display. Seven hangars of trade exhibitions highlighted both suppliers and buyers of military hardware over three trade days that remained open but mainly unmanned on the two public days when around 90,000 visitors flocked to this hot and dusty airbase; home to transport and communications squadrons of the modernising South African Defence Forces.

Light Aircraft Association Rally 2018 Sywell, Northamptonshire 31 March - 2nd April 2018 Report by Peter Davison This popular annual event is unique in the British aviation calendar and is long established at Sywell. Though dependant on the weather, this year near perfect, it attracts homebuilders in particular to network and purchase components and learn from both experts and peers the skills required to build, fly and operate in the general aviation environment. It naturally attracts enthusiasts and photographers keen to record all that is new and of special interest in one location. This generates considerable income for the LAA and its contributors and encourages the next generation of private pilots, engineers and fabricators.

Farnborough Airport, Hampshire, England 16th-22nd July 2018 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard This world famous and renowned airshow has, for years, exhibited all that is new and innovative in aviation with the famous halls reconstructed for each show. This year was the first to utilise permanent purpose-built structures although the dry summer weather prevented them being rain-tested as in past years. All the major players were present and industry support appeared healthy with large commercial orders announced. However, the trade day aerial demonstrations were limited, to some extent by new safety regulations in a built up area. Those that really suffered were the public; charged prestigious rates on the final weekend for an apology of a flying display and many closed exhibitions; something needs to change for 2020.

Finnish Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow. Jyvaskyla Air Base, Central Finland, 16-17 June 2018 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard Finland rarely holds military airshows other than the ‘Midnight Hawks’ display team event at the Kauhava Air Force Academy. Hence, this event was eagerly awaited and attracted a considerable number of aviation enthusiasts; many making their first visit to the country whose welcoming attitude was a pleasure to experience. Finland has many significant aeronautical museums and these enjoyed, or suffered, a great increase in visitors keen to see the blend of east and west evident across the collections.

MAB 2017, Chambley, France, 21-30 July 2017 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This is now billed as the biggest hot-air balloon gathering in the world. Only Albuquerque, New Mexico comes close. Held every two years, this, the fifteenth such show in the Region of Grand Est, centred near Metz, birthplace of Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier, the world's first aeronaut. This French region has four international borders and over sixteen nations were represented in mass ascents at 0630 and 1830 each day subject to suitable weather conditions.