Editing Air show

{{Short description|Public event where aircraft are exhibited}}
{{redirect|Airshow|the documentary series|Airshow (TV series)}}
{{For|the moving map system for passengers|In-flight entertainment#Moving-map systems}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2017}}
[[File:air.show.utterly.arp.500pix.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[AeroSuperBatics]] display team flying [[Boeing-Stearman Model 75|Boeing-Stearman PT-17]] [[biplane]]s at a British air show]]

An '''air show''' (or '''airshow''', '''air fair''', '''air tattoo''') is a public event where [[aircraft]] are [[trade fair|exhibit]]ed. They often include [[aerobatics]] demonstrations, without which they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground.

The largest air show measured by number of exhibitors and size of exhibit space is [[Paris Air Show|Le Bourget]], followed by [[Farnborough Airshow|Farnborough]], with the [[Dubai Airshow]] and [[Singapore Airshow]] both claiming third place. The largest air show or fly-in by number of participating aircraft is [[EAA AirVenture Oshkosh]], with approximately 10,000 aircraft participating annually. The biggest military airshow in the world is the [[Royal International Air Tattoo]], at [[RAF Fairford]] in [[England]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2017-11-08/2017-dubai-airshow-expected-be-largest-yet |title= 2017 Dubai Airshow Expected To Be Largest Yet |author= Peter Shaw-Smith |date= November 8, 2017 |work= AIN}}</ref> On the other hand, [[FIDAE]] in II Air Brigade of the [[Chilean Air Force|FACH]], next to the [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport]] in [[Santiago de Chile|Santiago]], [[Chile]], is the largest aerospace fair in [[Latin America]] and the [[Southern Hemisphere]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.delphosmagazine.com/airbus-sera-el-mayor-expositor-de-la-feria-aeronautica-mas-grande-de-america-latina/ |title= Airbus será el mayor expositor de la feria aeronáutica mas grande de america latina|author= Delphos Magazine |date= March 26, 2022}}</ref>

==Outline==
[[File:Aviatiker-Woche Reims 1909.jpg|thumb|The [[Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne]] airshow in [[Reims]], [[France]] in August 1909]]

Some airshows are held as a business venture or as a trade event where aircraft, avionics and other services are promoted to potential customers. Many air shows are held in support of local, national or military charities. [[Military]] air firms often organise air shows at military airfields as a public relations exercise to thank the local community, promote military careers and raise the profile of the military.

[[File:Airshow Nellis AFB.JPG|thumb|Aviation Nation 2006 at [[Nellis Air Force Base]], United States]]

Air "seasons" vary around the world. The [[United States]] enjoys a long season that generally runs from March to November, covering the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Other countries often have much shorter seasons. In [[Japan]] air shows are generally events held at [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] bases regularly throughout the year. The [[Europe]]an season usually starts in late April or Early May and is usually over by mid October. The [[Middle East]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]] hold their events between January and March. However, for many acts, the "off-season" does not mean a period of inactivity; pilots and performers use this time for maintenance and practice.

The type of displays seen at shows are constrained by a number of factors, including the weather and visibility. Most aviation authorities now publish rules and guidance on minimum display heights and criteria for differing conditions. In addition to the weather, pilots and organizers must also consider local airspace restrictions. Most exhibitors will plan "full", "rolling" and "flat" display for varying weather and airspace conditions.

The types of shows vary greatly. Some are large scale military events with large flying displays and ground exhibitions while others held at small local airstrips can often feature just one or two hours of flying with just a few [[:wikt:stall|stall]]s on the ground. Air displays can be held during day or night with the latter becoming increasingly popular. Air shows often, but do not always, take place over airfields; some have been held over the grounds of stately homes or castles and over the sea at coastal resorts.

The first public international airshow, at which many types of aircraft were displayed and flown, was the [[Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne]], held Aug. 22–29, 1909 in [[Reims]]. This had been preceded by what may have been the first ever gathering of enthusiasts, June 28 – July 19 of the same year at the airfield at [[La Brayelle Airfield|La Brayelle]], near [[Douai]].

==Attractions==
[[File:red.bull.air.race.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|The [[Red Bull Air Race World Championship|Red Bull Air Race]] held at [[Cotswold Airport|Kemble Airfield]], [[Gloucestershire]]. The aircraft fly singly, and pass between pairs of pylons.]]

Before [[World War II]], air shows were associated with long-distance air races, often lasting many days and covering thousands of miles. While the [[Reno Air Races]] keep this tradition alive, most air shows today primarily feature a series of aerial demos of short duration.

Most air shows feature [[warbird]]s, aerobatics, and demonstrations of modern military aircraft, and many air shows offer a variety of other aeronautical attractions as well, such as wing-walking, radio-controlled aircraft, water/slurry drops from firefighting aircraft, simulated helicopter rescues and [[Parachuting|sky diving]].

Specialist aerobatic aircraft have powerful piston engines, light weight and big control surfaces, making them capable of very high roll rates and accelerations. A skilled pilot will be able to climb vertically, perform very tight turns, tumble his aircraft end-over-end and perform manoeuvres during loops.

Larger airshows can be headlined by military jet demonstration teams, such as the United States Navy [[Blue Angels]], [[United States Air Force Thunderbirds]], Royal Canadian Air Force [[Snowbirds (aerobatic team)|Snowbirds]], Royal Air Force [[Red Arrows]], and Swiss Air Force [[Patrouille Suisse]], among many others.

[[File:F-111-Fuel-Dump,-Avalon,-VIC-23.03.2007.jpg|thumb|[[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] [[General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark|F-111 Aardvark]] performing a [[Fuel dumping#Dump-and-burn|dump-and-burn]] fuel dump at the [[Australian International Airshow]]|left]]

Solo military demos, also known as tactical demos, feature one aircraft. The demonstration focuses on the capabilities of modern [[military aircraft]]. The display will usually demonstrate the aircraft's very short (and often very loud)  rolls, fast speeds, slow approach speeds, as well as their ability to quickly make tight turns, to climb quickly, and their ability to be precisely controlled at a large range of speeds. Manoeuvres include aileron rolls, barrel rolls, hesitation rolls, Cuban-8s, tight turns, high-alpha flight, a high-speed pass, double Immelmans, and touch-and-gos. Tactical demos may include simulated bomb drops, sometimes with pyrotechnics on the ground for effect. Aircraft with special characteristics that give them unique capabilities will often display those in their demos; For example, Russian fighters with [[thrust vectoring]] may be used to perform the [[cobra maneuver]] or the [[Kulbit]], while [[VTOL]] aircraft such as the [[Harrier jump jet|Harrier]] may display such vertical capabilities or perform complex maneuvers with them. Some military air shows also feature demonstrations of [[aircraft ordnance]] in [[airstrike]]s and [[close air support]], using either [[Blank (cartridge)|blanks]] or [[Live fire exercise|live munitions]].

==Safety==
[[File:crash.arp.600pix.jpg|thumb|upright|[[United States Air Force Thunderbirds|U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds]] Captain Christopher Stricklin [[Ejection seat|ejecting]] from his [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] after realizing he could not pull up after a [[Split S]] maneuver, [[Mountain Home Air Force Base]], [[Idaho]], September 14, 2003. The aircraft crashed seconds later with no loss of life.]]

Air shows may present some risk to spectators and aviators. Accidents have occurred, sometimes with a large loss of life, such as the 1988 [[Ramstein air show disaster]] (70 deaths) in [[Germany]] and the 2002 [[Sknyliv air show disaster]] (77 deaths) in [[Ukraine]].

Because of these accidents, the various aviation authorities around the world have set rules and guidance for those running and participating in air displays. For example, after the [[1952 Farnborough Airshow crash|breakup of an aircraft at 1952 Farnborough air show]] (31 deaths), the separation between display and spectators was increased.<ref>{{Cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/6/newsid_2981000/2981786.stm | title = On This Day – 1952: Dozens die in air show tragedy | work=BBC News
| date=2008 | access-date=10 February 2018}}</ref> Air displays are often monitored by aviation authorities to ensure safe procedures.

{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}

In the United Kingdom, local authorities will first need to approve any application for an event to which the public is admitted. The first priority must be to arrange insurance cover and details can be obtained from local authorities. An added complication is a whole raft of legislation concerning health & safety, in particular [[corporate manslaughter]], which can involve the event organiser being charged with a criminal offence if any of the insurances and risk assessments are not fully completed well in advance of the event.

Rules govern the distance from the crowds that aircraft must fly. These vary according to the rating of the pilot/crew, the type of aircraft and the way the aircraft is being flown. For instance, slower, lighter aircraft are usually allowed closer and lower to the crowd than larger, faster types. Also, a fighter jet flying straight and level will be able to do so closer to the crowd and lower than if it were performing a roll or a loop.

Pilots can get authorizations for differing types of displays (e.g., limbo flying, basic aerobatics to unlimited aerobatics) and to differing minimum base heights above the ground. To gain such authorisations, the pilots will have to demonstrate to an examiner that they can perform to those limits without endangering themselves, ground crew or spectators.

Despite display rules and guidances, accidents have continued to happen. However, air show accidents are rare and where there is proper supervision air shows have impressive safety records. Each year, organizations such as International Council of Air Shows and [[European Airshow Council]] meet and discuss various subjects including air show safety where accidents are discussed and lessons learned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/cleveland/article/Cleveland-National-Air-Show-Awarded-Prestigious-Pinnacle-Award-20161216|title=Cleveland National Air Show Awarded Prestigious Pinnacle Award|author=BWW News Desk|website=broadwayworld.com|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Fly-in]]
* [[Flypast]]
* [[Barnstorming]]
* [[List of airshow accidents]]
* [[List of air shows]]
* [[Teardrop turn]]
* [[Whifferdill turn]]
* [[Bessie Coleman]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Brett Holman, [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13619462.2018.1519430 "The militarisation of aerial theatre: air displays and airmindedness in Britain and Australia between the world wars"], ''[[Contemporary British History]]'', vol. 33, no. 4 (2019), pp.&nbsp;483–506.
* Air Show Accidents: "[https://activepilot.com/a-contributing-factor-to-air-show-accidents-is-insufficient-preparation-in-reviewing-the-notams-before-the-show/ Reviewing the Notams Before the Show to Avoid Accidents]"

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://airshowdisplay.fr/airshow Airshow Display]
*[http://www.airshows.aero International Council of Air Shows]
*[http://www.eaa.org/calendar/ Experimental Aircraft Association Calendar]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20161125171459/http://www.royalaeroclub.org/events.htm Royal Aero Club Events]
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/air-shows/ Flightglobal's Upcoming air shows]
* [http://afthunderbirds.com/ USAF Thunderbirds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020032655/http://afthunderbirds.com/site/ |date=2019-10-20 }}
* [http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/snowbirds/index.page Canadian Forces Snowbirds]

{{International Airshows}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Air Show}}
[[Category:Air shows| ]]
[[Category:History of transport events]]