NATO Days in Ostrava 2025 - Aviation photography

For many of my friends in the aviation photography world, the NATO Days show in Ostrava is a must-see event on the calendar and the season’s finale. Although I became actively involved in aviation photography by the end of 2018, strangely enough, the September airshow in Ostrava never really caught my eye. Mainly because September usually sees a flurry of events, and there was always something more important. This year was supposed to be no different, with the Radom Air Show scheduled for the end of August and the Malta show starting in late September. However, life brought unexpected and devastating news: the crash of our F-16 Tiger Demo Team during training over Radom airport. This, of course, led to the only correct decision to cancel the show. However, this situation made me want to somehow satisfy my craving for aircraft photography. Thanks to the understanding of my family and the kindness of a friend who regularly attends the NATO Days show in Ostrava, my trip became a reality.

Ostrava – the plan

My hometown of Łódź is about 300km from Ostrava. So the plan was to leave early Friday morning. We wanted to make it to training and stay until Saturday evening or Sunday morning, depending on our level of fatigue. Friday turned out to be one of the best days of the season, and probably not just that. It was what determines whether the photos are good or even amazing – the so-called “conditions.” For those unfamiliar with photography jargon, I’ll explain. It’s about the right atmospheric conditions, essential for all kinds of condensation to appear on the airframes. With the right humidity and lighting, you can expect some amazing phenomena. And they did. Saturday, on the other hand, was all about the standard photography of airplanes and helicopters against a blue sky. The end of the day brought a subtle change in the form of a few clouds and the beautiful light of the setting sun.

What could you see?

The static display at the airport was certainly extensive, and there were also displays of armored vehicles, for example. However, I’m always interested in what’s in the air during the displays. During NATO Days in Ostrava 2025, the lineup of dynamic displays was, in my opinion, very interesting. It was loud and fast. The French Air and Space Force put on an incredible display with the Dassault Rafale. Not only did it fly brilliantly, but it was also beautifully and impressively painted. The Italians had the largest representation, with an EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon, an M-346 Master, a C-27 Spartan, and, as a special and highly anticipated guest, the AV-8B Harrier. We also saw a German Eurofighter and an NH-90 Demo Team helicopter in the sky with their spectacular flare launch. The hosts presented a Gripen, an L39, and numerous helicopters in flight. The surprise was a spectacular display of the new F-16 in service with the Slovak Air Force, which was supposed to be just a flyover. The special guest was a massive American B-52 bomber. The group presentation was also extensive, with four participating teams: the RAF Red Arrows, the RAF Falcons (paratroopers), the Turkish Stars, and the Wings of Storm from Croatia.

Will I come back to Ostrava?

Once you see the photos, it will become clear to you that I’ll be back, and I’ll be happy to do so. Why? First of all, you can take some truly satisfying photos there. Watching the show from the road next to a beet field is incredible. The jets fly around you, almost within arm’s reach. This has the added benefit of not having to push your way through the enormous crowds at the airport. From the audience, in my opinion, many shows will look worse and less exciting.