In this guide, we will discover the evolution and history of airshows and how they were perhaps one of the biggest driving forces in setting up a global light aircraft culture.
Light aircraft culture is rich and full of exciting and entertaining events that will leave your jaw dropped. In today’s world, air shows usually highlight aerobatics performed by both light and military jet aircraft, but if you truly want to experience airshows at their best, then we highly recommend that you visit a light aircraft airshow that features stunts and awesome aerobatics performed by highly trained and experienced light aircraft pilots.
In this guide, we will discover the evolution and history of airshows and how they were perhaps one of the biggest driving forces in setting up a global light aircraft culture.
Light Aircraft – Flight History
When people think about the history of airshows, they usually go back a few decades, but in reality, you would have to go back at least a century to figure out the origin of airshows. Many people erroneously believe that there were no flight-capable machines before the advent of light aircraft – this is far from the truth! The fact is that there were several aircraft designs before the Wright brothers cracked the code of flight, but they weren’t as you would imagine them.
To understand the evolution of light aircraft airshows, we will have to go back to the first flight which was actually conducted in the 18th century.
The honour of the first “aerostatic” flight in history goes to the Montgolfier brothers at Versailles in 1783. The duo was able to design a hot air balloon that would take off vertically and virtually change the world forever, or at least the perspective of it. The Montgolfier brothers were true pioneers who inspired millions of people around the world to expand their horizons of what was possible.
Their hot air balloon, while not a traditional aircraft, was a proof of concept that flight was indeed capable. In fact, it can be argued that the Montgolfier brothers inspired the right group of people who would eventually develop the technology required for a manned and controlled flight.
This includes people from various fields like mathematics, physics, metallurgy, and more. It would take about half a century for science to catch up with the fundamentals of flight and to crack the code of flight, which would eventually lead to the revolutionary showcasing by the Wright brothers.
During the end of the 20th century, we had already amassed the necessary knowledge and even technology, which included the combustible engine, and the famous 3-axis control design which allowed aircraft to not just soar across the skies, but also move freely and precisely.
In 1903, the Wright brothers successfully conducted their test flight and flew a barebones aircraft powered by a single compact engine. The brothers not only proved that their aircraft could fly but they could also be controlled and landed back on the ground which was a feat on its own!
This short and initial success was enough to send shockwaves around the globe. Suddenly, people had the blueprints for a successful flight – and it didn’t take long for aviators to begin assembling the foundations for what would later become a culture.
Introducing Aerobatics
During just the first decade of the Wright brother’s success, developed countries had begun building the foundation for aviation. The first order of business was to standardise and bring down the cost of manufacturing aircraft. This was seen as a crucial step because building aircraft required not just expertise but a lot of money. Therefore, bringing down the cost would accelerate the adoption of aircraft technology and help make it more accessible to people who could take it forward.
However, just making aircraft cheaper wasn’t enough. Aviators needed to sell the idea of aircraft and what they could do to ordinary people – and this was the birth of the idea behind airshows.
In the beginning, simply showcasing aircraft, straightforwardly gliding across the skies was more than enough to peak the excitement of people. After all, the only thing that they had ever seen fly was either birds or balloons! Over time, though, as aircraft technology evolved and the presence of aircraft started to become commonplace, there was a clear need for more excitement.
This is when pilots began exploring the concept of aerobatics. Just like in the case of acrobats who perform gymnastic moves, “aerobats” perform various stunts in aircraft!
Aerobatics were performed by daredevil pilots who were in the habit of pushing the boundaries of what aircraft could do. Thanks to their contributions, they were able to inspire the next generation of pilots to further improve upon aerobatics stunts.
Interestingly, the development of aerobatics can also be traced to both world wars. During World War 1, aircraft technology was still in its infancy, but they were widely used by developed countries which is why pilots also had to learn various evasion manoeuvres which were based on aerobatics. Furthermore, the military also devoted a lot of resources in not just aircraft development but also pilot training, this is partially why you see so many military-focused airshows too.
Building the Light Aircraft Culture
By the 1950s, we already had a strong and flourishing aviation community across the world. Countries like the UK and the USA were at the forefront of pushing the envelope in aviation which helped establish a light aircraft culture that would inspire millions if not billions – and at the centre of this culture were airshows and flight schools.
Flight schools are a huge proponent for showcasing the light aircraft culture to the public. Light aircraft are the go-to choice for training pilots and you are likely to see a wide variety of light aircraft at flight schools.
When you go to a flight school like Sherburn Aero Club, you will notice a mixture of “members” who are basically private pilots and students who are training to become pilots. Private pilots usually take up aviation as a hobby and are one of the driving forces behind the aviation culture because they end up being ambassadors of aviation and help inspire people to take up aviation as well.
Some prominent flight schools, like Sherburn, also host their own airshows which attract people from not just the country, but from around the world. From a marketing point of view, these airshows are an excellent opportunity to not just showcase what light aircraft can do, but also the facilities of the school.
If you are on the fence about joining a flight programme, then you are in luck! Thanks to advances in pilot training and safety protocols, it is now much easier to learn how to fly and obtain a pilot licence. If you want to get into aviation, then all you need is to visit the nearest flight school and inquire about either a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) or a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to get started!
Importance of Airshows for Light Aircraft Culture
Here are some of the reasons why airshows are so important in developing light aircraft culture:
Airshows are a Part of UK History
The UK has been a prominent player in aviation from the beginning. After 1903, UK-based aviators began working on their own aircraft designs, and within just half a decade, they were able to establish not just a culture but flight schools that would allow regular people to be a part of aviation.
The first airshow in the UK dates back to 1909. The airshow was held at Blackpool in October 1909 and was organised by the Aeroclub of Great Britain. This marked the first of many airshows that would be held in the country – and today, the UK hosts several aviation-related events throughout the year!
Airshows Promote Aviation
As mentioned above, airshows are a great marketing tool that gets a lot of coverage. People enjoy watching planes fly in tandem and perform stunts, which is why they show up in spades during various events.
If you ask pilots about how they got into aviation, then there is a chance that they would mention the time when they visited an airshow and discovered the beauty of flight! Airshows are a fantastic medium to connect aviators with the public and answer their questions. In many cases, airshows also feature several other mini-events like seminars, presentations, and informative stalls by various flight schools.
Needless to say, if you want to get inspired and learn more about aviation, then we highly recommend that you visit an airshow to get an idea about the culture of light aircraft and its appeal.
Airshows Showcase Future Aircraft Technology
The future of aviation is widely showcased and celebrated at airshows too! When you visit an airshow, you will notice several presentations and “reveals” where aircraft manufacturers will showcase the latest and greatest in aviation.
For example, in recent years electric planes have taken centre stage and have proven to be the next big thing in aviation. Since electric planes are “cleaner”, efficient, relatively cheaper, and practically noise-less, they are attracting people from all walks of life, especially people who love technology. Airshows provide the perfect setting for such reveals and if you are an enthusiast who loves to witness future tech, then we urge you to visit any of the big airshows in the UK, such as the Aero Expo UK.
Airshows Focus on a Wide Variety of Light Aircraft
If you are into vintage aircraft, restoration projects, or mainstream light aircraft, then you will likely get your fix in any large airshow. Since these airshows are conducted by aviators and are for aviators, you will get to see their enthusiasm in full swing. So much so that there are dedicated hangars that are devoted to showcasing vintage aircraft from the early years of aviation. Aviators also showcase their own custom-built aircraft as well!
Want more than just light aircraft? Then we recommend that you visit a military-based airshow. These airshows showcase more than just light aircraft and are an excellent platform for people to connect with military pilots. You may also get to see some cool military-designed aircraft technology too.
Airshows Fuel Skill-Based Competition
Airshows also commonly host competitions where aviators can showcase their skills and compete with other pilots. These competitions are usually conducted in light aircraft where pilots take part in air races, competitive aerobatics, and much more.
Watching an air race from the ground is truly a sight to see and if you like adrenaline sports, then we highly recommend that you get a front-row seat for these competitions.
Airshows Build Community
Apart from the public, airshows are also a crucial platform for fellow aviators to meet other pilots. In fact, many pilots from all over the world visit certain airshows to meet with their friends or to connect with other people.
There are also a lot of implications for business too. For example, personnel from aircraft companies frequently visit expos and other aviation-related events to connect with other companies and promote Business-to-Business (B2B) activities too.
Airshows also host several seminars which feature prominent figures in aviation. So, if you ever want to meet your aviation heroes then you will have much better luck bumping into them at an aviation event than anywhere else.
Finally, airshows also give back to the community by hosting several fundraisers and charity events. In some cases, even air races can be set up for charity purposes where the prize money would go to the winner’s charity of choice. If charity and fundraising are important to you then we implore you to look out for airshows that support charitable causes. This way, you will get to help the community and witness awesome air-events too!
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran in various types of light aircraft.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on light aircraft, training requirements, fee structure, licencing procedures, as well as experience flights and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Joe deSousa on Unsplash
