Airshow

An airshow is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their flying machines, normally to the public, but occasionally to selected invited guests, or employees and their families only.

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Some airshows are held for commercial motives, gaining income from onlookers or from companies hoping to sell aircraft, but many are held to raise funds for charities. Usually they are arranged at airfields in which case a variety of static aircraft and helicopters might also be on view. Less often shows are held over the sea near coastal cities or resorts. Where space allows, other entertainments and market stalls may add to the attractions on offer at an airshow. The better organised shows and those with longer flying displays will tend to be more expensive and sometimes discounts will be offered to those booking in advance. Airshows held at military installations are usually free for spectators.

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The year's airshow schedule (which airfields/coasts will have airshows when) is usually defined during the end of the preceding year. The lineup of pilots and aircraft to be in attendance at each airshow is tentatively determined around February and March, but can change at any time. With a handful of exceptions (such as the mid-winter airshow at MCAS Yuma, AZ), the airshow "season" starts in early spring and ends around mid-fall. Magazines aimed at aircraft enthusiasts will normally include a list of forthcoming airshows in their February, March or April editions. Shows at military bases are liable to be cancelled or postponed during periods of international tension.

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Before the second world war, airshows 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 airshows today primarily feature a series of aerial demos of relatively short duration (10-40 minutes).

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Germany remains the only nation to ban airshows as a result of a disaster involving an aircraft collision (See Ramstein airshow disaster).

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Aircraft: An aircraft is any machine capable of atmospheric flight....

Airfield: REDIRECT airport...

Helicopter: A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors (propellers). Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The word helicopter is derived from the Greek words helix (spiral) and pteron (wing)...

Airshow related Images and Photos (experimental)

Aviation Air Show

WWII Aeroplane "War Birds" Air Show Oshkosh U.S.A.