Pardubice - public international airport

Every year, the Pardubice Aviation Fair presents an overview of different aspects of the aviation history. The same will be true of this year's Aviation Fair at the weekend of 28th–29th May. "Among the aircraft to be seen, there will also be beautiful Czechoslovak sport aircraft made in mid-1930s.

At that time, it was in the government's interest to properly train new pilots. To a significant extent, this was to be helped by aviation clubs and organizations of the Masaryk's Aviation League. What was supported was the manufacture of training sport aircraft, and there were several new aircraft manufacturers. These included the ČKD aircraft department, which produced a few types under the Praga brand. The most successful type was the Praga E 114 Air Baby, nicknamed "Bejbina".

The reconstruction of this aircraft, very unique these days, was completed last year by Marcel Sezemský. The other aircraft mentioned above was originally created close to Pardubice. In Choceň, the Beneš-Mráz aircraft factory was opened in 1935, having managed to produce different types of aircraft before Czechoslovakia was occupied in 1939. One of them was the Be 50 Beta Minor. Since last May, an aircraft of this type is again in operation, built by the well-known renovator Jan Klaban and his friends. Deservedly, the aircraft has become the highlight of the collection owned by the Military History Institute Prague," said Jan Rudzinskyj, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

Among other things, this year's Aviation Fair commemorates the 80th anniversary of the takeoff of a prototype of the Supermarine Spitfire, the legendary British fighter aircraft. Naturally, this aircraft will be part of an aerial demonstration at this year's Aviation Fair taking place at the Pardubice Airport on 28th and 29th May.

"In the Pardubice sky, the famous pilot Dan Griffith will present the unique, graceful shapes of the legendary Spitfire, accompanied by the sound of the powerful Merlin engine. As we know from past years, Griffith's performances are very dynamic and applauded by both the spectators and pilots.

This year however, it will be the Spitfire's première performance in new colours, which are being finished these days. What is nice for us and for our national pride is the fact that it represents the aircraft of the legendary Czech pilot Tomáš Vybíral who fought during World War II first in France, and since 1940 in the British RAF, where he served until the end of the War. In September, it will have been one hundred and five years since he was born," said Jan Rudzinskyj, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

Besides several aircraft, the Aviation Fair at the last weekend of May will again include a varied programme on the ground with several demonstrations and different activities for kids.

The Aviation Fair is a paradise for all aviation fans. However, at this year's Aviation Fair taking place at the Pardubice Airport at the weekend of 28th–29th May, not only aerobats will perform their somersaults in the air. "What is a novelty in the programme on the ground is the unique performance of summer extreme sports by VSA Xtreme Team.

The riders will fly in the air on freestyle scooters and BMX bikes on Funbox Line obstacles featuring a starting bank, central funbox and a large radius arc at the end. Among VSA Xtreme Team riders, there will also be the Pardubice-born Tomáš Lorenc, a European Freestyle Scootering Champion.

Besides this great show before and after the aviation performances, everyone will be able to try out BMX bikes and scooters for free. They will be supervised by VSA Xtreme Team riders. There will also be competitions everyone will be able to take part in," said Josef Hadinec, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

Every year, the Aviation Fair commemorates a significant aviation anniversary. This year's programme, to be seen at the Pardubice Airport at the weekend of 28th–29th May, will feature a few of them.

Probably the most important event commemorated this year is the 80th anniversary of the takeoff of the first prototype of perhaps the most famous British fighter aircraft: Supermarine Spitfire. "We first commemorated this event at the Aviation Fair in 1996; back then it was 60 years since its first takeoff. During the 20 years that have elapsed, aircraft of this type in different versions kept appearing at the Pardubice Airport. This year won't be an exception as the 80th Spitfire anniversary cannot pass unnoticed in Pardubice. There is a clear historical connection between this airport and the above mentioned type of aircraft; it was operated here between 1947 and 1948 marked S-89 and used for training purposes of the 2nd fighter training squadron of the Military Aviation Academy," said Zdeněk Hurt, an aviation historian and one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

The Spitfire's graceful lines will be presented in an unforgettable aerial demonstration by the well-known Dan Griffith who was awarded a glass sculpture two years ago for the best aerial demonstration at the Aviation Fair. Popular and renowned among pilots, this prize will be awarded by the organizers this year as well. It is currently being finished by the skilful hands of young glassblowers in Světlá nad Sázavou.

Among the Aviation Fair visitors, spectacular scenes illustrating significant historical events are very popular. The story takes place both in the sky and directly in front of the spectators where enthusiasts in period uniforms and with authentic weapons reenact what was happening on the ground as well. One of this year's scenes to be seen by the Aviation Fair visitors at the Pardubice Airport on 28th and 29th May will commemorate the fights in the Pacific.

"This December, it will have been 75 years since the Japanese strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941. The following day, the United States and the United Kingdom declared war on Japan, making the war a world war. Besides the navy, the air force also played a major role in the Pacific theatre. Some of the aircraft types involved in the battles will be introduced at this year's Aviation Fair as well. Above all, it will be the two-engine Catalina flying boat, a true highlight of this year. The scene will also involve the impressively massive American Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber with a folding wing for easier hangaring on aircraft carriers. The enemy will be played by a replica of the famous Japanese Zero fighter aircraft," said Jan Rudzinskyj, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

The ground scene will be lively thanks to enthusiasts from military history clubs. It will again be a unique show as these historical reenactments of Pacific battles are unparalleled in Europe. The experience will be topped off by pyrotechnics and expert commentaries. The military clubs equipment will also be seen on the ground as both on 28th and 29th May 2016, Pardubice Airport will feature a varied programme on the ground from the morning.

Among the Aviation Fair visitors, spectacular scenes illustrating significant historical events are very popular. The story takes place both in the sky and directly in front of the spectators where enthusiasts in period uniforms and with authentic weapons reenact what was happening on the ground as well. One of this year's scenes to be seen by the Aviation Fair visitors at the Pardubice Airport on 28th and 29th May will commemorate the fights in the Pacific.

"This December, it will have been 75 years since the Japanese strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941. The following day, the United States and the United Kingdom declared war on Japan, making the war a world war. Besides the navy, the air force also played a major role in the Pacific theatre. Some of the aircraft types involved in the battles will be introduced at this year's Aviation Fair as well. Above all, it will be the two-engine Catalina flying boat, a true highlight of this year. The scene will also involve the impressively massive American Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber with a folding wing for easier hangaring on aircraft carriers. The enemy will be played by a replica of the famous Japanese Zero fighter aircraft," said Jan Rudzinskyj, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

The ground scene will be lively thanks to enthusiasts from military history clubs. It will again be a unique show as these historical reenactments of Pacific battles are unparalleled in Europe. The experience will be topped off by pyrotechnics and expert commentaries. The military clubs equipment will also be seen on the ground as both on 28th and 29th May 2016, Pardubice Airport will feature a varied programme on the ground from the morning.

What is an integral part of the Aviation Fair are the shows of jet powered aircraft. This year's Aviation Fair at the weekend of 28th–29th May 2016 will feature the modern Gripens of the Army of the Czech Republic, as well as the unique Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe aircraft with a construction made during World War II.

"The German Schwalbe (Swallow) aircraft, often nicknamed "Schwalbina" or "Turbine" in Czech, was the first operational jet-powered aircraft in the history of aviation, and it was deployed in World War II since mid-1944. A total of almost 1,500 aircraft were produced. At the end of the war, they could be seen over Bohemia, and this aircraft type also played a detrimental role in suppressing the Prague uprising in May 1945. After the end of the war, quite a significant number of these aircraft remained on our territory with different degrees of damage. In the Prague Avia, ten aircraft were restored to become the first jet-powered aircraft included in our air force. We are very happy that we managed to arrange for a performance of this unique aircraft type. It is operated by the German Messerschmitt Stiftung and at the Pardubice Airport, it will star in an impressive late World War II performance and also in a large group of historical aircraft called Balbo. It was the group's première at last year's Aviation Fair and in the Czech sky, and it was largely applauded by both pilots and visitors. That's why it is a must-be in this year's programme," said Jan Rudzinskyj, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

The jet-powered Messerschmitt is one of the several aircraft to be seen during the five-and-a-half-hour-long programme. Both on 28th and 29th May 2016, Pardubice Airport will feature a varied programme on the ground from the morning.

This year's Aviation Fair is called Stars in the Sky. And stars also mark one of the aircraft to be seen at the Pardubice Airport at the weekend of 28th–29th May 2016. It is the legendary Douglas DC-3. It is both a true star among classic aircraft and at the same time, it is propelled by two high-performance "stars" – the 14-cylinder radial engines.

"Nowadays, air transport is an integral part of our lives and every day, thousands of aircraft transport passengers on short and long distances in the air space all over the world. Until the mid-1930s, air transport had been more of an adventure than a regular comfortable way of transportation. It was the American all-metal twin engine aircraft type Douglas DC-3 that was a true breakthrough. This type, which first flew in December 1935, became famous not only in civil air transport, but also in military service, where it was usually marked as C-47. In RAF Service it was designated the Dakota, and this name of the type has become established. DC-3 aircraft were significant for Czechoslovak air transport as well, having been the principal Czechoslovak State Airlines type in the post-war period. A very well-maintained airliner made in 1940 will arrive at this year's Aviation Fair from Switzerland," said Jan Rudzinskyj, one of the Aviation Fair organizers.

The legendary Dakota will arrive with BREITLING chronographs from Switzerland accompanied by other classic aircraft, such as Yakovlev Yak-11, Grumman Avenger and Pilatus P-2. Together, they will become part of the nearly six-hour-long aviation programme.