I’ve already attended my first air show this year. Of course, it wasn’t my first time photographing aircraft this year, as I had my first in Greece back in March. However, this time it was a typical air show, meaning an organized mass event. I chose Aviatická pouť 2026, which until now had been held in Pardubice. I was at this event last year and really enjoyed it. This year, the organizers were forced to move the event to nearby Hradec Králové. The reason, I learned, was the relocation of Czech Gripens to the Pardubice airport. This forced the organizers to look for a new location. And so it was.
Hradec Kralove, the new place
As usual, besides the photos, I’d like to write a few words about the event itself. What immediately struck me was the new spotter zone with numbered seats. I hadn’t seen this before. I thought it was a great option, as I didn’t have to rush to the airport gates to get a convenient spot at the barrier. You could arrive later, as your seat has a number. Tickets weren’t cheap, costing 1,000 kroner (approximately 170 PLN), but I decided to take advantage of this option. The lineup looked to be quite similar to last year’s, with a few exceptions. I was eager to go, as I wouldn’t see the legendary Bleriot JK in the air in 2025, and the weather was rather poor. This time, it promised to be warm and sunny, but with some clouds – perfect conditions for the show. Getting there wasn’t a problem, and the traffic jam to the airport gate wasn’t long. In any case, I managed to park my car with enough time to spare before the acrobatics began.
The next step didn’t really surprise me – the walk from the parking lot to the event grounds. Just like in Pardubice, it was quite a walk, even though the show grounds were right next door. The organizers seemed to have only planned one entrance gate, so we had to walk quite a distance, circumnavigating a long earthen embankment. At the entrance gate, I saw a line for the show ticket kiosk, but I didn’t have to wait in it, having purchased my tickets online. Figuring out where to go to get to the spotter zone took a while, as it required finding someone from the organizers’ services.
At the venue, there was a three-level, fairly long platform for photographers, without any numbers. Ultimately, it turned out that some people preferred to take photos from the ground level at the barrier anyway. Even though all the spots were sold out, if the zone had been twice as crowded, no one would have bothered each other. It was relaxed and comfortable. We also had toilets and a tent with free snacks and drinks available. All for the price of a 1,000-krona ticket. So far, everything looked promising.
What didn’t work out
To be fair, a few things need to be said about what didn’t quite work. Firstly, there were some issues with the sound system, as the commentary wasn’t always audible, and sometimes the sound would suddenly cut out. While the spotter area was quite comfortable, the crowd outside was quite bothersome. Another negative was the stands, most of which had nothing to do with aviation, but were rather relocated straight from some fair or fair. The organizers probably didn’t anticipate such a huge turnout, as the lines in the small food court were enormous. Comments on the air show-related profiles also confirm this.
The first part of the event seemed very chaotic. This was certainly due to an incident involving skydivers who were blown off the airfield by the wind, and some of them required medical attention. Fortunately, as it later turned out, the problem wasn’t that serious. However, during the rescue operation, it was difficult to tell whether the show was still going on. Two planes arrived to perform the show, but they only landed. Czech aerobatic champion Martin Šonka took off, but his display was so high it was difficult to see. Fortunately, he did it again later.
Due to these disruptions, several displays unfortunately didn’t take place at all. I was very much hoping for a repeat of last year’s World War I air battle reenactment. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. I learned during the show that the display by three biplanes from Bucker Formation was canceled. Earlier, there was also news of the Bearcat’s withdrawal. It’s a shame, as these types of aircraft are becoming increasingly rare. As if that weren’t enough, an F-4U Corsair had to return to the airfield immediately after takeoff following a bird strike. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a happy edition.
Of course, all this isn’t a dig at the organizers, who had to urgently relocate a mass event for thousands of people to a completely new location. And organizing such an event requires a lot of complicated planning, coordination, and negotiation. On top of that, I was obviously unlucky, which made things even more complicated. Next time will definitely be better, I know it.
What I saw
Despite everything, I’m glad I managed to make it to the 2026 Aviatic Airshow in Hradec Králové. I saw a Bleriot in flight, which reminds us of the enormous distance we’ve come in aviation development over the past 100 years and how courageous its pioneers must have been. It was great to see the roaring Typhoon in his impressive livery (and without it, too). The Scandinavian Airshow Catwalk, with its smoke and “cats” on the wings, continues to impress me. Martin Šonka demonstrated that he’s a complete madman when it comes to flying and acrobatics. No show can be complete without its flaws and unpleasant surprises. However, it’s worth attending, as it provides an adrenaline rush and allows you to spend time in pleasant company doing what you love.
