European Excellence Heads to the Aviation Festival in Piešťany
The only team in the world that combines formation flying with aerobatics and nighttime pyrotechnic displays. The dazzling maneuvers and high-quality flying performances of this year cannot be missed at Piešťany Airport, both during the captivating night show on May 20th and the exhilarating daytime show on May 21st. Still wondering who they are?
They belong to one of the most renowned duos, captivating audiences with their stunning pyrotechnics and remarkable demonstrations. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time at the 2023 Aviation Festival in Piešťany, we proudly welcome AeroSPARX, a group that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Based in the United Kingdom, AeroSPARX is led by pilots Guy Westgate and Rob Barsby. This Grob 109b aircraft group, founded in 2015, showcases formation flying with aerial acrobatics and vibrant smoke during the day, while igniting the skies with a unique pyrotechnic show at night. As they claim, there are hundreds of aviation events and approximately 200 formation teams worldwide, but only half of them perform acrobatics in a group, and only six teams incorporate pyrotechnics into their flights. And among them, AeroSPARX is the only team performing it all at night. That’s why they are a true Slovakian gem.
“After declining our invitation last year, I am thrilled that we will have the opportunity to welcome them in full glory during both festival days. We consider them pioneers in the field of night aerial shows, with performances ranging from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom. They are at the forefront in Europe, and we are proud to have them participate in this year’s Aviation Festival in Piešťany. I am convinced that visitors have much to look forward to,” says Hubert Štoksa, Director of FLP 2023.
Piešťany Airport will open its gates to visitors at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 21st. The program will commence at 4:00 PM. On Sunday, the gates will open at 9:30 AM, and the flying program, along with the Children’s Aviation Festival, featuring enriching music and educational attractions, will start at 11:00 AM. The Bubble Show presented by Bublinky will delight young spectators, while Magician Peťo will showcase a magical exhibition full of special effects and entertainment. Clown Šašo will provide laughter-inducing clown tricks. There will also be an entertaining and educational performance filled with magic and secret tricks, as well as the Etudy Theater’s production of “Bee Elka.” Come and sing along with Miro Jaroš, Paci Pac, and the band Maliny JAM.
“We would like to remind all Aviation Festival visitors to arrive at the Piešťany Airport on time. This way, they can avoid congested roads and long queues at the entrance. Considering that we expect participants from the Czech Republic with supersonic aircraft on Sunday, we recommend parents to bring ear protectors for the youngest visitors. The weather is looking favorable, so I believe that all age groups will thoroughly enjoy both festival days,” adds Štoksa.
A few days before the Aviation Festival in Piešťany, the airport undergoes safety inspections to ensure that everything is prepared accordingly. Tickets can be purchased on-site, but organizers recommend buying them in advance to avoid traffic congestion and long queues at the entrance.
Edited and translated by: Katerina Urbanova EIC@ACE
