Air Shows

These days, there are air shows taking place around the country in which pilots and stuntmen entertain large groups of people with their skills and daring feats in the air. Air shows are events in which pilots display their flying abilities as well as the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators. Many air shows are held as trade events wherein vintage aircraft, the latest private jets, and other avionics are promoted to potential customers. Many air shows are held to support local, national or military charities. Military air shows are often held to raise the awareness of the military and as a way to say thank you to the local community where there may be an airbase present. There are usually various aircraft on display at a typical airshow which spectators can view up close along with in-air demonstrations.

There is an air show season in the United States is a rather long one as it typically runs from March until November. The type of show held may be restricted due to weather and visibility factors. Nowadays aviation officials follow strict guidelines as to the minimum heights aircraft can fly during air shows. Some air shows are very large events wherein many different types of aircraft are put on display and flown for the audience. Others are rather small in nature, being held at small local airports and which feature just an hour or two of flying. Air shows do not always take place over airfields as they also can be held over large lots of land or over the water along coastal resort communities.

The first international air show was held in Reims, France in the summer of 1909 and attracted nearly a half a million spectators. This air show set the precedent for all future air shows in the world. Spectators have been drawn to air shows for the entertainment value they offers as people tend to enjoy watching pilots perform a variety of stunts. Many people also enjoy the sheer speed of aircraft. Unfortunately, one of the main reasons people are drawn to air shows is the danger factor as there is a chance that a pilot or stuntman will become killed. Patriotism and pride of country is another big draw to these exhibits.

Barnstorming was very popular in the US during the 1920s and it also was the first form of civil aviation in the history of flight. Stunt pilots and aerialists or "barnstormers" performed the most amazing tricks with aircraft that people have ever witnessed. Spectators were thrilled and amazed to get the chance to see aircraft up close and to witness highly skilled pilots rolling planes, making daring spins and performing death-defying dives. People also were enthralled with watching stuntmen making wing walks, soaring through the air wearing winged costumes, doing mid-air plane transfers and stunt parachuting.

Today's air shows are not all that different from those of yesteryear besides the fact that aircraft is much faster these days. Spectators still attend air shows to see stunts, exhibits of speed and to watch pilots challenge death. The United States military has been one of the biggest promoters of modern-day air shows. The Blue Angels from the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds are two of the most popular and famous military air show groups as each puts on shows for large numbers of people across the United States and abroad. The Blue Angels perform before 15 million people each year while the Thunderbirds entertain over 12 million people annually.