Airshows

[Cod Father]

I'm a huge fan of airshows.

I your opinion, what is the best annual or semi-annual air show in Canada? The USA? North America?

Do any of them compare to Farnborough? Paris/Le Bourget? Moscow?

[fleet16b]

I have attended Airshows all over N America and parts of Europe.
IMHO there are many great shows out there but nothing beats Airventure(Oshkosh)
It is well organized and has something for everyone interested in aviation.
Every aviation enthusiast should attend it at least once .

[Nark]

I second Oshkosh. Of course I'm a little biased.
<----

Sun n Fun is also a great.

However I've been to quote a few small fly-ins, and for what they're worth they're great.

[amraam]

I've been to many airshows across Canada and the US, including a few on US military bases. Third vote for Oshkosh being the best. It is extremely well organized with a huge variety of aircraft to see and plenty of great ground displays, concerts, etc. A definite 'must see' for any avgeek!

amraam

[Pop n Fresh]

I have been to Abbostford back when it was huge, the Ukrainians would bring migs.

Then I was fortunate enough to be at Namao when they brought the AN-225 and a Mig just after the USSR came undone, they were selling souvenir t-shirts, after they ran out they were selling souvenir anything not structurally required to get home. Extra seats, tie down straps, fire extinguishers... Rumor was they needed the money to afford to buy fuel to get home. Same year the USAF had a stealth fighter there, guarded by guys with fully automatic rifles.

AirVenture was still better. There is no other place I know of where after you are there for a few days you hear planes, look up to see a formation of P-51s then, shrug and keep walking. I have in the past gone to an air-show excited because there was going to be a single P-51 on static display.

My wife dreads me stopping the car at an airport because she knows I will probably be talking to someone about airplanes while she is bored. She wants to return to AirVenture.

[fleet16b]

The answer to the question is quite predictable really.
Paris , Farborough , Duxford , Harlingen , Thunder , Abbotsford etc are great shows but have a specific content.
Aiventure Oshklosh really is the only Airshow world wide that offers something for every aviation type,
There really is no comparable show out there. Thats why at times airlines from around the world set up "Oshkosh" flights. Peopla all over the world know this is the "Aviation Mecca" and it is form of pilgrimage for some
EAA at this point has more Airshow experience than most groups out there and it apparent if you attend Airventure.
There are basically very little or no line ups for anything , food ,washrooms , shows etc
They have studied their lessons learned and applied the appropriate improvements or changes
I think every pilot should have what is known as the "Oshkosh Experience" at least once. That is to fly an airplane to Airventure , park it , set up camp and sleep under the wing. Totally awesome to do !!!!!

But on another note as has been mentioned in this thread, there are tons of little grass roots type fly ins that I have attended and had just as much fun at.

[DonutHole]

Ive been to Abbotsford and Spokane a bunch. Abbotsford can be awesome. I would like to see them skip a year and hold it every second year, economy and all. Nelson had the best "airshow" I've sseen in years. The venue is spectacular with the aerobatics being performed in a beautiful valley over the lake.
Sure it was light on equipment, but it seemed no matter where you went in the city the airshow was visible, and the sounds were incredible!

Definitely going next time.