History

The AIR SHOW was held for the first time in 1991 at the Ławica Airport in Poznań.

• The AIR SHOW was held for the first time in 1991 at the Ławica Airport in Poznań.
• The idea of an event with an international line-up came about in 1991. In that year, on 28 August, aviation enthusiasts could admire aircraft from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the USSR and, obviously, Poland in air displays and exhibitions at the Ławica Airport. The following were featured in aerial aerobatics: the F-16 and F-15 from the US Air Force, the Mirage 2000 from France, the Tornado from the UK, the Su-27 from the USSR, and numerous Polish military and civil aircraft and helicopters. The Ławica Airport attracted over 200,000 air show enthusiasts.
• At that time, Polish military aircraft and aerobatic teams also started attending Western air shows. It was in 1991, at the beginning of September, that the Rombik team changed its name to Biało-Czerwone Iskry [White and Red Sparks], and flew to Belgium, where it gave its first air display west of Poland.

Dęblin, 26-27 August 1995

• Another world aviation gala was held on the airfield of the “Eaglet School” in 1995.  It brought together the largest number of Polish and foreign aerobatic teams ever seen by Polish audiences.  With more than sixty aeroplanes and helicopters taking part in the ground and air display, military aviators demonstrated their piloting skills and new techniques.  The show began with a simulated air combat between the Polish MiG-29 and MiG-23 aircraft, creating the atmosphere of a great spectacle.
• This was the first opportunity for the Polish Iskry aerobatic team to perform in a group of six aeroplanes.  That performance was enthusiastically received by the audience.  The attractiveness of the air show was further increased by the white and red painting of the aircraft, designed by Lt. Ireneusz Fibinger.  Also for the first time, an aerobatic team on MiG-29 from Mińsk Mazowiecki presented themselves in a six-minute-long programme.

Bydgoszcz 650th Anniversary Air Show

• In the following year, 1996, the air show took place in Bydgoszcz as part of the city’s 650th anniversary.
• The viewers could see an interesting air show featuring, among others, the ten-aircraft Biało-Czerwone Iskry team, the four-aircraft MiG-29 team, and the four-helicopter Mi-24 team, along with the Harrier, the Tornado from Germany, the Mirage 2000 from France, and the F-16 and F-18 from the USA.

80th anniversary of the Polish military aviation

• Returning to Dęblin, the 1998 air show was held on the 80th anniversary of the Polish military aviation.  During the show, aviators from nine countries presented their skills:  the Czech Republic, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
• For the first time in Poland, viewers could see the Su-25 fighter-bomber aircraft  painted in the colours of the Czech Republic, the Spanish CASA CN 235, the German F-4F Phantom and C-160 Transall, and the Italian Alenia – G-222. The show provided another opportunity to display the combat qualities of the multi-task aircraft that Poland had been considering to purchase in the near future.  The outstanding aerobatic displays featured  the Mirage 2000-5, the F-16 and the Gripen.  Performances by aerobatic teams sparked the most excitement.

The first show at Radom’s airport

• The year 2000 was an important year in the history of the Radom International AIR SHOW in Poland.  It saw the first show held at the Radom airport, which then became a recurring event.
• The show was closely linked to the 8th International Defence Industry Exhibition based in Kielce. It attracted the biggest helicopter and aircraft manufacturers. Viewers could see almost all types of flying equipment available in Poland, including  Mi-2, Mi-14PŁ, Su-22M4, MiG-21bis, MiG-29, W3W Sokół, M-20 Mewa, PZL-130 Orlik, TS-11 Iskra, W-3RM Anakonda, M-28 RM Bryza 1M, and the Bell 206B.  PZL Świdnik’s latest product, the SW-4 helicopter, was also presented at the show for the first time.
• Numerous guests accepted the invitation to attend the event, including  the F-16 A/B MLU from the Dutch Air Forces, the F-16 C/D from the USAF, the Mirage 2000C from France, the L-159 ALCA, the MI-24D, the Sokół from the Czech Republic, the Bo-105 from Germany, the CASA C-295 from Spain, the Jaguar GR Mk 1A and the Hawk LIF from the UK, and the JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden. The unique British Canberra Mk. The T4 bomber was an additional highlight of the show. As for the aerobatic teams, the following ones were presented: Orliki, Biało-Czerwona Iskra, the Mi-24D from the 49th Combat Helicopters Regiment, and the Patrouille de France.

The 2001 air show was held on 7 and 8 September

• The 2001 air show was held on 7 and 8 September. It was attended by teams from nine countries:  Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland.
• More than a hundred aircraft and helicopters were on display in both the exhibition and the air display. Seven aerobatic teams performed in the show,  each of them demonstrating extraordinary precision in doing complicated aerobatic manoeuvres.  Viewers could see almost all types of flying equipment available in Poland, including the Mi-2, Mi-14PŁ, Su-22M4, MiG-21bis, MiG-29, W3W Sokół, M-20 Mewa, PZL-130 Orlik, TS-11 Iskra, W-3RM Anakonda, and the M-28 RM Bryza 1M. The new highlight of the show was the presentation of a dummy of the new Polish training aircraft Bielik. That year, pilots from many countries accepted the invitation and the following aircraft attended the show: the F-16 A/B MLU of the Dutch Air Forces, the F-16 C, C-130 Hercules, and AH-64A Apache from the USAF, the Mirage F1 and 2000C from France, the CASA C-295 from Spain, the Harrier GR Mk 7, the Hawk 100 from the UK, and the JAS 39 Gripen from Sweden.  The aerobatic teams gave a spectacular show, with our teams performing on the Zlin 50 LS (ZA Żelazny), Orlik, and the TS-11 Iskra aircraft, and Mi-24D helicopters from the 49th Combat Helicopters Regiment, along with foreign guests including Patrulla Aguila from Spain and Frecce Tricolori from Italy.

The 2002 show was held in the unique atmosphere preceding the conclusion of the tender procedure for a multi-task aircraft for the Polish military aviation

• The 2002 show was held in the unique atmosphere preceding the conclusion of the tender procedure for a multi-task aircraft for the Polish military aviation.
• The leading contenders appeared on the starting line:  the F-16, the Gripen, and the Mirage 2000-5. There was much to admire, and the performance of each of them could be the highlight of even the most attractive shows.
• The British Tornado and Sea Harrier, as well as the Polish Su-22M4, MiG-29 and MiG-21, also captivated the audience with their aerial evolutions. The American A-10 aircraft, which stood proudly on the static display, and our MiG-21, which made its last flight, were additional highlights of the show. The star of the show was the Dutch F-16.  The Biało-Czerwone Iskry team,  the Orliki team, the Mi-24 four-aircraft team and the ZA Żelazny featured on the lineup. Sport aviation shows were also numerous.

Held on the 85th anniversary of Polish military aviation and the 100th anniversary of global military aviation.

• The 2003 air show was held on the 85th anniversary of the Polish military aviation and on the 100th anniversary of global military aviation.  Once again, we hosted veterans attending the World Reunion of Polish Airmen.
• During the show, aviators from the following 15 countries showcased their skills:  Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Israel, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, the USA, the UK, Italy, and Poland.
• The representative British aerobatic team, Red Arrows, performed for the Polish audience for the first time ever. The team’s emblem features nine aircraft in a “diamond” formation, which has become  its trademark. An interesting performance was given by the Israeli Air Force, consisting of the C130H Hercules, and the F-15D.  Among the aerobatic teams, the viewers could also admire the French Patrouille de France and Polish pilots from the ZA Żelazny, Orlik and Biało-Czerwone Iskry teams.
• Making their show débuts were Alpha Jet pilots from the Portuguese Air Force, and Russian MIG-AT and MIG-29M2 pilots. Air performances also involved the following helicopters:  the PZL SW-4, W-3MR Anaconda, Bell 214, MIL-MI-14Pł, Kaman SH-2G, and the MIL-MI-24D, while the ground display included also the MIL-MI-2, W-3W Sokół, and the MIL-MI-8. Other showcased aircraft  included the Mirage-2000C, Mirage F-1CR, F-16A MLU, Tornado GR-4, MiG-29UB, MB339, Ts-11 Iskra, and the SU-22M4. There was an unusually large number of curiously camouflaged aircraft, including the Tornado GR4 from the Luftwaffe (tiger paint scheme), the Polish MIG-21UM (white tiger paint scheme), the Dutch F-16As (stripes colour scheme), the naval M-28 Bryza (occasional historical paint scheme – British markings from the Second World War), and the navy blue MIL MI-14PŁ. The Dutch F-16s also appeared in Radom and, as always, it gave a unique performance.

Organised after a two-year break, the 2005 AIR SHOW attracted more than 170,000 viewers.

• Organised after a two-year break, the 2005 air show attracted more than 170,000 viewers.
• National teams from the following countries took part in static and air displays:  Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, the United States, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
• The aerobatic teams were the biggest attraction. Three Europe’s leading aerobatic teams – the British Red Arrows, the French Patrouille de France, and the Spanish Patrulla Aguila – were invited to one air show.
• Obviously, the Polish Biało-Czerwone Iskry, ZA Żelazny and Orliki teams performed as well, showing off the simultaneous landing of the whole formation of nine aerial vehicles.
• On top of all this, there were also solo shows. Sheik on the Dutch F-16 and the French Mirage 2000 made a great impression. The AIR SHOW was also attended by the French on the C-160R Transal and the SA342M Gazelle and SA 330 Puma helicopters, Czechs on the L-159A ALCA and L-159B, Hungarians on the L-159 Albatros and AN-26, Slovaks on the L-39ZA, and Germans on the Tornado IDS. In addition, there were a lot of the F-16s from several countries, representing different versions, including the Danish F-16BM presented in the air, the Belgian F-16AM and the aforementioned Dutch F-16A in an interesting striped camouflage and the USAF F-16C.
• The Polish Air Forces presented almost all aircraft used on a daily basis, including the  MIG-29A, SU-22UM-3K (in an interesting tiger paint scheme), the CASA C295M, M28B1M Bryza, the MIL-MI-14PŁ, SH-2G Kaman of the Navy, MIL MI-24W, MIL MI-8, PZL W-3W Sokół, SW-4, MI-2 and the PZL Kania painted in the colours of the Border Guard, and the Police Bell 214.
• The Polish Aero Club displayed numerous tourist and sport aeroplanes, such as the PZL-104 Wilga and EM-11C Orka, along with some oldtimers like PiperCuba, RWD-5, Polikarpov PO-2, Jungmann’s Bucker, and TS-8 Bies.  The static display featured the immortal Spitfire Mk IX.

Radom 2007

• The 2007 International AIR SHOW was held on 1 and 2 September. Jumpers from the High Altitude Rescue Service Training Centre in Bydgoszcz were the first to demonstrate their skills. They jumped with the flags of the countries participating in the event.
• During the show, viewers could admire a simulated air combat of four MiG-29 aircraft from Mińsk Mazowiecki and the Czech Gripen.
• Tragically, on 1 September 2007, a collision occurred between two of the four aerobatic aircraft from the Żelazny aerobatic team of Lubuskie Land Aero Club based in Zielona Góra. The two aeroplanes bumped into each other’s wings during a manoeuvre while on a collision course. As a result of the collision, one aircraft fell down and crashed in the forest near the airport. Two pilots ‒ Lech Marchelewski, President of the Lubuskie Land Aero Club and founder of the Żelazny team, and Piotr Banachowicz ‒ died in that accident.

Radom 2009

The 2009 International AIR SHOW was expected to be a great attraction for the audience. The show featured the British Red Arrows aerobatic team, whose members proved to be top-tier aviators. Tragically, an accident happened as the Su-27 aeroplane of the Belarusian Air Forces crashed, killing two crew members. Due to this tragedy, the rest of the show was cancelled.

An 180-aircraft show

• The 2011 edition of AIR SHOW brought together 180 aircraft to the Radom airport.
• For the first time during AIR SHOW, as many as six aerobatic teams could be admired:
•  Biało-Czerwone Iskry (7 x TS-11 Iskra), Orliki /(9 x PZL 130 Orlik II), Krila Oluje from Croatia (7 x PC-9M), Patrouille Suisse from Switzerland (6 x F-5E Tiger II), Patrouille de France from France (9 x Alpha Jet), and Frecce Tricolori from Italy (9 x MB339).
• Pilots from several countries, including Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic, presented their skills as part of the military block. The whole event was opened by a grand parade of the Polish Air Forces ‒ a flight of over thirty aircraft and helicopters used by the Polish military aviation.
• In addition to the aircraft used by the Polish Air Forces, the following aircraft could be seen: the Greek and Dutch F-16C Block52+, the American A-10 C-130 Hercules, the German EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon C-160, the Turkish C-160 Transall, the Ukrainian  SU-25UB, AN-26, the Italian Aermacchi MB-346, AMX, the Austrian Pilatus PC-7, and the Hungarian JAS-39 Gripen.
• The static display was also interesting, featuring assault aircraft that is rarely seen on air shows in Radom, namely the Ukrainian SU-25UB and the American A-10, in addition to the EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon, Pilatus PC-7, JAS-39 Gripen, C-160 Transall, MIG-29A, SU22UM3K, C-130 Hercules, CASA C-295M, W-3PL Głuszec, SW-4 Puszczyk, MI-17, MI-14PŁ, MI-24/35W, AN-2, and the PZL M-28RM Bryza.

THE RECORD-BREAKING 13TH EDITION

• The 2013 Radom AIR SHOW attracted around 180,000 viewers.  To compare, the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, the UK, held in the same year, were watched by 130,000 people.
• The aviation exhibition that was open to the public featured 46 aircraft and helicopters,  while the air show provided a chance to see as many as 56 aircraft on Saturday and 54 aircraft on Sunday (not including the parade participants).
• Altogether, we hosted 216 aircraft and helicopters from 20 different countries. The figure came close to RIAT’s 230 aircraft and helicopters from 19 countries.
• Seven aerobatic teams performed at the show, i.e., the Swiss Patrouille Suisse on F-5 Tiger aircraft, the Latvian Baltic Bees on L-39 Albatros, the Croatian Wings of Storm on PC-9M turboprops, the Finnish Midnight Hawks on Hawk aircraft, and three teams from Poland: Biała-Czerwone Iskry, Orliki and Żelazny.
• That year’s Radom event provided an opportunity for pilots from Romania, Turkey and Ukraine to make their début. The Turkish team particularly appealed to the viewers with their solo display on an F-16. The Belgians, Dutch and Greeks also performed aerobatics on the same aircraft, demonstrating a show that was almost as good as the Turkish one.
• The air show also featured some multi-task aircraft, including the Rafale from France, the Eurofighter Typhoon from Italy, and the JAS 39 Gripen from the Czech Republic and Hungary. Air performances were also given by the Polish MiG-29 fighter and the Italian C-27J Spartan transport aircraft. Polish Su-22s and F-16s gave a demonstration of close support missions to troops on the ground, which was accompanied by pyrotechnic effects on the ground, simulating bomb explosions.
• Viewers could hear radio correspondence from the pilots and the guidance navigator from loudspeakers.
• The static display included, for example, the Il-76 airlifter from Ukraine, to which long queues lined up on Saturday and Sunday, the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from Germany, and the BAE Hawk training aircraft from the UK. This was also the first time that the AIR SHOW comprised an exhibition of equipment of the Polish air defence and radio-technical forces, such as the NUR-15M radar and the S-125 Newa SC missile system.

THE SUCCESSFUL 14TH EDITION ‒ AIR SHOW 2015

• The International AIR SHOW 2015 turned out to be a huge organisational success. The event was attended by aviators from 20 countries, who appeared in the Radom sky with more than 250 aircraft ‒ military and civil, and on the ground also by representatives of the Land Forces, Special Forces, Navy and Air Force units.
• A total of 3,000 people worked on the show on Saturday and Sunday. 21 fire brigades (105 fire-fighters), 80 doctors and paramedics, and around 700 police officers were involved to ensure the safety of all guests. Logisticians dispensed around half a million litres of aviation fuel to the crews attending the show in Radom.
• The static exhibition enjoyed much interest, and featured the Israeli C-130J Hercules, which had not been at a show in Poland ever before. Representing airlifters were the C-27 Spartan variant of the Romanian, Italian and Lithuanian air forces, the Polish C-130 Hercules and the C-295M Casa. Military jets were equally noteworthy, including the Belgian Embraer ERJ135, the Norwegian Learjet 35 and numerous fighters – the MiG-29, F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado or MiG-21, as well as the Polish W-3 and Mi-8 helicopters. The Royal Jordanian Falcons, the Danish Baby Blue team, Patrulla Aguila and Patrulla Aspa, the Baltic Bees Jet Team, Patrouille Suisse and Frecce Tricolori, as well as the Biało-Czerwone Iskry and ZA Orlik teams also appeared in the Radom sky,  along with soloists ‒ the Polish and Slovakian MiG-29 Solo Display Team, the Romanian MiG-21, as well as foreign F-16, Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.
• Also worth mentioning is the very spectacular CAS (Close Air Support) display, with a raid by the Polish F-16s  coupled with simulated bombing. The air show also featured an aero club block, including the AT-3, Tiger Moth, Extra 300, and paragliders.

Poland’s biggest aviation event

• The 15th International AIR SHOW 2017 was, first and foremost, an aviation celebration.  The main aviation event of 2017 in Poland took place on 26 and 27 August.
• The 85th anniversary of the impressive victory of two Poles ‒ captain pilot Franciszek Żwirko and engineer Stanisław Wigura ‒ in the Challenge 1932 International Tourist Aircraft Competition was the leading theme.
• The show was attended by pilots from 11 countries:  Lithuania, Latvia, the UK, the USA, Romania, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Ukraine and Poland. They appeared in the Radom sky with more than 177 aircraft  ‒ military and civil.
• AIR SHOW 2017 offered another real treat for military enthusiasts ‒ the largest exhibition of equipment ever held during the Radom air show, including equipment of all kinds of armed forces, as well as showcasing the capabilities of military institutions and the defence industry.
• The Polish soldiers were accompanied by allies from the United States, Romania and the United Kingdom, forming part of the NATO Battalion Battle Group stationed in Orzysz. More than 170,000 viewers were attracted to the Radom airfield by the sky acrobatics of the following teams:  Biało-Czerwone Iskry and Orlik of the 4th Training Air Wing. Aviation enthusiasts attending the show had the opportunity to admire Latvian pilots from the Baltic Bees team.
• The air parade featured all aircraft available to the Polish Armed Forces, and the flights of the American long-range strategic bombers B52 and B1 were a special highlight of the event.

The centenary of Poland's independence

• The 16th International AIR SHOW 2018. The year 2018 was extraordinary for the Polish military aviation. The 100th anniversary of Poland’s independence coincided with celebrations of another important centenary, namely ‒ the establishment of military aviation. It was on that occasion that the 16th edition of the international air show ‒ AIR SHOW 2018 ‒  was organised. It was attended by both civil and military pilots, as well as by motor-paragliders, parachute jumpers, and balloonists.
• They came from 22 countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the USA, NATO, and Poland, to present extraordinary acrobatics in the Radom sky.
• During the two-day show, more than 110 aircraft were admired by 180,000 viewers gathered at the Radom airport. The opening flight was performed by the Boeing 737 MAX assisted by the TS-11 Iskra of the Biało-Czerwone Iskry team based in Dęblin.
• Top-class pilots displayed their individual piloting skills,  while the Biało-Czerwone Iskry and Orlik Aerobatic teams impressed the audience with group aerobatics, including a show held jointly with Harvard, Cellfast Flying Team, Frecce Tricolori (Italy), Patrulla Aguila (Spain), Patrouille de Suisse (Switzerland), Midnight Hawks (Finland), Baltic Bees (Latvia), Wings of Storm (Croatia), the Royal Jordanian Falcons (Jordan), as well as Pakistani pilots on the JF-17 aircraft, for whom this was the very first appearance in the Polish sky.
• The Flying Bulls from Hangar 7 in Austria presented their machines: an F4U-4 Corsair fighter, a vintage B-25J Mitchell bomber, two Alpha Jets, and an American T-28B Trojan.  Impressive aerobatic manoeuvres were presented by soloists: the Polish Tiger Demo Team, the Belgian Solo Display, the Greek Demo Team Zeus, and the Turkish Solo Türk.  Aviation enthusiasts were delighted by the performances given by the British-German Eurofighter, the Czech Jas-39 C Gripen, the Mi-171 and Mi-24, and the Austrian SAAB 105, as well as the Ukrainian Su-27. Artur Kielak performed in the XA-41 aircraft.  On both days of the show, the AWACS early warning and control aircraft made a low flyover.
• The largest ever static exhibition including equipment and armament of all types, used by the Polish Armed Forces, was also prepared to attract military enthusiasts. Over 60 units of military equipment were on display, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers, cannons, anti-aircraft sets, radars, soldiers’ personal weapons and shooting training simulators. Viewers could also see state-of-the-art military technology and personal equipment of soldiers, which are rarely made available to the public.

Central Europe’s biggest air show

• The 17th International AIR SHOW 2023 took place after a five-year hiatus, on 26-27 August 2023, at the Warszawa – Radom Airport. It was Central Europe’s biggest air show.
• The International AIR SHOW 2023 was guided by the “Invincible in the sky” theme, a reference to Captain Stanisław Skarżyński’s 1933 legendary achievement of becoming the first Pole to have flown over the Atlantic Ocean along a record-breaking route from Senegal to Brazil on a plane weighing almost 450 kg.
• The programme was particularly rich and varied, offering spectacular aerobatics, as well as some unforgettable performances by military, civil and heritage aircraft.
• Appearing on Radom’s sky were both modern military aircraft and aviation classics, as well as aerobatic teams, which captivated the audience with their precise and dynamic manoeuvres.
• The programme featured shows with modern fighters, boasting their speed and manoeuvrability, as well as airlifters and helicopters, demonstrating their versatile capabilities in various missions. Another major highlight involved heritage-aircraft performances, taking the audience on a journey to the past, demonstrating how aviation evolved over the years.
• The attractions were presented not only in the air. There were static displays on the ground, providing a glimpse into various aircraft and aviation equipment, as well as attractions for children and teenagers to spark aviation interest in them.
• The AIR SHOW created loads of excitement, bringing together aviation enthusiasts from all around the world to explore both modern technology and aviation heritage.

More than 175,000 people attended the event – Europe’s third biggest air-show attendance.

• The programme included
  • 89 air displays performed by pilots from 17 countries, clocking in at a total of almost 20 hours;
  • an air parade comprising 19 formations and 67 aircraft;
  • over 200 aircraft in the sky and on the ground (the dynamic show featured 157 aircraft, and the static display comprised 40 aircraft);
  • six heritage aircraft (replicas), including, for the first time, the P-51 Mustang.
  • The static display comprised 72 equipment units used by all types of the Polish Armed Forces and NATO allied forces.
• The organisers also provided a number of fringe attractions, such as the sportscar runway race and the runway race pitting the EDGE 540 against the BMW SAUBER F-1.
• The rating for the quality of organisation given to our AIR SHOW by UCL’s inspectors was the highest among other similar events.