FLY! The London Air Show - 16th-18th April 2004

The famous Earl's Court Exhibition Centre held a totally new aviation event aimed at promoting aviation to the masses, as well as providing a forum for current pilots to view the latest aircraft, technology,  safety demostrations as well as attend seminars on a number of different issues. Flightline UK headed to the smoke for a closer look.

"FLY!" has some big competition that is held within the traditional "airshow season" in the form of Aerofair at North Weald and the PFA Rally now at Kemble. Being held in a big exhibtion centre like Earl's Court does however means the event is not affected by the weather so attendance is fairly stable. Also exhibitors don't also have to fight with marquees and their paperwork blowing away. However, being in the heart of London does mean it's quite of task to exhibt many of the bigger aircraft types at the show.

For the potential pilots wanting to take their PPL/NPPLs etc, the show succeeded in providing a wealth of oppuntunity to talk with Aero Clubs and Companies that provide the training. Cabair, West London Aero Club, Wycombe Air Centre and Biggin Hill Helicopters being notable exhibitors.

Special note has to be made of Kemble, who had a large slice of exhibtion area devoted to most of the companies on the airfield, the AV8 Bistro and Restaurant, the Ultimate High Academy and of course Delta Jets. They were also heavily promoting Kemble Air Day on the 20th June! Gliders, Microlights and Air Sports also featured well amongst the exhibitions with various clubs, companys and simulators. Talking of airshows, apart from Utlimate High (of Xtreme Team fame) and Delta Jets, two other airshow acts were present at the show. Firstly, Avia Special Ltd. who often display a Antonov An-2 at some shows were promoting themselves as airshow acts, and their An-2 Club allowing people to have a share in the aircraft. Secondly, the Utterly Butterly Barnstomers were at the show with their static Stearman and wingwalkers to talk to the crowd.

Much of the exhibition was devoted to current pilots with a multitude of technology and equipment on show as well as aircraft. Garmin Instruments perhaps made the biggest impact at the show displaying their latest GPS and navigation aids. Transair Pilot shop also had a selection of their wares for sale on their stand. One company even exhibted a Cessa aircraft converted to run on Diesel as the environmental pressures move on to avaition. It was good to see something that is all too rare nowadays too, a all new totally British Aircraft in the form of the Magnum light aircraft.

The two big Aviation associations, the Popular Flying Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association  also had a strong presence at the show anwering questions from would be and current aviators.

A special Seminar Theatre hosted a number of talks from industry members on a number of topics including PPL training, Advanced training and safety and of course the future!

One of the highlights of the show was a "Survival At Sea" demonstration utilising a deep water pool and one of those famous "Dunkers" where so called "winners" of a Pilot Magazine got an experience of a crash over water and how to escape form the wreckage.

Another highlight for the armchair aviators was the "Sim City" sponsored by Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight. As well as several computor terminals demonstrating MS Flight Sim, British Airways brought a 737 simulator and Just Flight exhibited their exciting range pf add-ons for the Microsoft package.

The Royal Air Force sponsored a section devoted to careers in aviation, although this seemd entirely devoted to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy! It was a real shame that no Airlines, nor the main organisations had any real noticable recruitment stands. However, special mention should go to the Royal Navy for providing the only real military aircraft at the show, a Westland Lynx HMA8. The Royal Air Force could only manage the plastic Red Arrows Hawk and Harrier from their exhibition unit.

So what was the verdict on "FLY!"? Well, it was an enjoyable event and it was the first year. The show should be back in 2005, though that may depend on the proftablity of the event this year. The organisers got it right with what they had, though perhaps the more general enthusiast may have felt a little left out and found the event a bit too expensive for it's comparitive small size. Earlier publcity had promised historic aircraft, of which there were none and something that hopefully could be explored in 2005 - it would almost definatly bring more punters. Also, with the publicity this event has generated this year, more companies will also contribute.

 copyright Flightline UK 2004