2024 European air show season to kickoff at Plasy

The Den ve vzduchu Plasy (Plasy Air Day) is the first European Airshow of the 2024 season and is scheduled for 27-28 April. This aviation event is the biggest in West Bohemia and is renowned for opening the air show season not only in Czechia but also in Europe. It is a two-day event that offers a unique experience for aviation enthusiasts and families alike.

The Plasy Air Day is not just your typical aviation show. It offers a wide range of side events and displays that cater to the whole family. You can expect to enjoy various exciting activities throughout the day. The event features a static display of various aircraft, including aerobatic aircraft, historic planes, and helicopters.

Martin Sonka on the Extra 300SR

In addition to the static display, Plasy Air Day also features a thrilling aviation show that includes various stunts, aerobatics, and displays from some of the world's top aviation performers. The show will also feature some aircraft making their debut in Czechia and Plasy, making it an even more unique experience.

The Plasy Air Day is a perfect opportunity for families to spend quality time together and learn more about aviation. The event also offers various exciting activities for kids, including face painting, bouncy castles, and interactive displays. There will also be plenty of food and drink stalls, live music, and other entertainment options.

Tickets for the event are available online or at the gate. Adults can purchase tickets for CZK 300, while children between the ages of 7 and 12 can purchase tickets for CZK 100. Children under 7 and holders of a ZTP or ZTP/P card can enter for free without a ticket.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to witness the best aviation show in West Bohemia and kick off the air show season with a bang. Get your tickets now and experience the thrill of aviation at the Plasy Air Day.

Czech Air Force Gripens

Jets

The highly anticipated flying displays will kick off at 1:30 pm with a spectacular flypast by two Czech Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripens. These multirole fighter aircraft have been a crucial part of the Czech Air Force's operations, with 12 JAS 39C Gripens currently in their fleet. The Czech Air Force had to replace its aging fleet of MiG-21s, which had reached the end of their service in 2005. The Czech Government then reached an agreement to lease a number of aircraft from the Swedish Government, which led to the acquisition of these remarkable aircraft.

The Czech Government approved the extension of the Gripen lease until 2027 in 2014, ensuring that the Czech Air Force will have access to these critical multirole fighter capabilities for at least another decade. The Saab JAS 39C Gripens appearing at the show are from the 211th Tactical Squadron based at Caslav, and they are sure to leave a lasting impression on attendees.

Another aircraft that is set to make its debut at the Czech Airshow is the Fouga CM.170 Magister, flown by Frenchman Laurent Golay. This light two-seat twin-jet trainer with a V-tail was designed by the French Air Force and first flew in 1952. Since then, over 900 aircraft have been produced, making it a popular choice among pilots worldwide. The aircraft is powered by two Turbomeca Marboré IIA turbojets, each generating 3.92 kN (880 lbf) of thrust, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds of up to 715 km/h (386 knots, 444 mph) at 9,000 m (30,000 ft). The Fouga CM.170 Magister is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and attendees will be thrilled to see it in action at the Czech Airshow.

Czech Air Force W-3A Sokol

Helicopters

Rotorcraft enthusiasts will have an exciting time at the upcoming airshow, as two impressive helicopter displays will be featured. The first display will showcase the Czech Air Force PZL W-3A Sokol Search and Rescue demonstration. This Polish-designed and built utility helicopter earned its name 'Sokol,' meaning 'Falcon' in Polish, and has been in operation since 1979. The W-3 Sokol is operated worldwide by several civilian and military organizations, primarily in the utility role. The Polish military also uses it for medical evacuation, search and rescue, as a flying command centre, and as a light attack helicopter. The Czech Air Force's fleet is divided between military transport and emergency medical use, and they operate a small fleet of these helicopters.

The second display will feature the Bo 105 aerobatic helicopter from the Flying Bulls in Austria. The Flying Bulls own two former police helicopters from 1974, which have undergone significant modifications to enhance their performance and capabilities. The Bo 105 is the only fully aerobatic helicopter worldwide and was the first helicopter to use a rigid rotor head without a flapping hinge and a swivel joint. Its rotor blades are made of fibreglass-reinforced titanium with inner elastomer elements, making them incredibly light and aerodynamic. These features allow the Bo 105 to perform some breathtaking aerobatics, which you won't want to miss at the airshow.

Martin Sonka on the Extra 300SR

Aerobatic planes

The 2024 Play Air Day promises to be an exciting event with five different aerobatic displays by five different and unique aircraft. Kicking off with one of the most popular Czech aerobatic pilots, Martin Sonka, who will perform aerobatics on the Extra 300SR. Martin Sonka is a world-renowned pilot and former Red Bull Air Race World Champion. His performance is sure to be thrilling and awe-inspiring.

Following Sonka's performance, Petr Frantis will perform on the Yak-55, a unique aircraft rarely seen at the airshows. The Yak-55 is known for its excellent manoeuvrability and used to be a popular choice among aerobatic pilots in the 1990s. Frantis is an experienced pilot who has won numerous awards for his aerobatic skills.

Next up is Karel Vaboril, who will perform graceful aerobatics on the Czechoslovakian trainer aircraft, the Zlin 142. The Zlin 142 is an excellent aircraft for aerobatics and is known for its agility and manoeuvrability. Vaboril is a skilled pilot who has been performing aerobatics for over a decade.

Jan Rudzinskyj, a member of the elite Flying Bulls aerobatic team, will also perform solo aerobatics on the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann. The Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann is a German biplane trainer aircraft that made its first flight in 1934. It is a classic aircraft and is a favourite among aerobatic pilots. Rudzinskyj is a highly skilled pilot and is sure to put on a thrilling performance.

The event will be rounded off with a unique performance of aerial art and music with a solo aerobatic display of the Schleicher ASK 21 glider, piloted by experienced pilot Roman Slapacek, accompanied by live music by saxophonist KJ Sax. The Schleicher ASK 21 is a popular glider among aerobatic pilots and is known for its excellent performance. Slapacek is a highly skilled pilot and will showcase the glider's capabilities in a stunning display of aerobatics and aerial art, accompanied by live music from KJ Sax.

P-51D Mustang "Little Rebel" at the Radom Airshow 2023

Warbirds

The Plasy Air Day is set to be an exciting event, with a range of warbirds taking part in the flying display. Among them is the legendary North American P-51D Mustang "Little Rebel", which was manufactured in 1945 and will be making its premiere at the largest air show in western Bohemia. The Mustang numbered 45-11495, was built in Dallas in 1945, but unfortunately, it arrived too late to see action in World War II. The aircraft currently carries the colour scheme of the plane with the number 44-13737, named "Little Rebel", which was flown during the Second World War by Lt. Charles "Buck" Pattillo of the 486th FS/352nd FG. He completed 37 missions and destroyed 5 German aircraft.

The "Little Rebel" appeared in a new livery at the 2009 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world's largest airshow, where it won the "Best P-51" award. In 2022, British pilot Stephen Stead bought the aircraft and will be displaying it at the event. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the graceful aerobatic manoeuvres and flow flypasts of this iconic warbird.

Another historic aircraft that will be taking part in the flying display is the Beech C-45H Expeditor, which was manufactured in 1942 and served throughout World War II. After the war, it was used for various purposes, including transporting VIPs. The American president himself sat on board, and the aircraft also starred in Hollywood films such as "The Best Years of Our Lives" and in the Czech film "Lida Baarova". Visitors to the Plasy Air Day will be able to appreciate the aircraft's unique history and enjoy its graceful display.

In addition, the Pilatus P-2, a trainer aircraft designed by Swiss manufacturer Pilatus in 1942, will participate in the flying display. The aircraft was used by the Swiss Air Force from 1946 until 1981 and is a classic example of a successful training plane. Radim Vojta will demonstrate the aircraft's capabilities to the public, providing visitors with an insight into the aircraft's design and its role in the history of aviation.

Three Zlin 142

Teams

The upcoming event promises to showcase a diverse range of teams, each with its unique performance. One of the highlights of the show will be the aerial battle between three replicas of aircraft from the First World War era. The Aviatik (Berg) D.I, Morane-Saulnier MS.139 & Nieuport 11 will take part in this battle, providing history and aviation enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to witness a simulated air battle from this time period. This will be the first time such a performance will be held in Plasy, making it a unique and exciting experience.

The replica aircraft from the First World War era are housed in a hangar at the airport in Kunetice, which serves as an exhibition of Pardubice aviation. Visitors will be able to see these historic planes up close and learn about their role in the war.

Another team performing at the event is a trio of Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann basic German biplane trainer aircraft. The team will execute a classic formation display that is sure to impress the audience with its precision and skill.

Lastly, the Bemobox team will perform with four Czechoslovakian Zlin trainer aircraft, the Zlin 142 and Zlin 143. Their performance will start with a low flypast in front of the crowd, followed by a climb to a height of about 100 m. They will then execute flypasts in different formations, showcasing their flying skills. As part of their performance, they will also perform balloon popping, which has never been performed by any other team in Czechia before. This is sure to be a unique and exciting performance that will leave the audience in awe.