Shuttleworth Airshows 2025

[Professor_M]

An evening element included for all shows, except the Season Premiere and Race Day...

SEASON PREMIERE AIR SHOW - Sunday 11 May

Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 18:00
Event Timings: 09:00 – 18:00

MILITARY AIR SHOW - Saturday 31 May

Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 19:30 – 20:30
Event Timings: 09:00 – 21:00

FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT - Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 June

Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 20:00 – 21:00 (Sat-Sun)
Event Timings: 09:00 – 21:00 (Sat-Sun)

SUMMER AIR SHOW - Saturday 26 July

Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 19:30 – 20:30
Event Timings: 09:00 – 21:00

FLYING PROMS - Saturday 16 August

Event Timings: 12:00 – 22:00

BEST OF BRITISH - Saturday 30 August

Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 19:00 – 20:00
Event Timings: 09:00 – 20:00

RACE DAY - Sunday 5 October

Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 18:00
Event Timings: 09:00 – 18:00

https://www.shuttleworth.org/2025-air-show-season/

[VFR750]

Three of the most popular shows now on a Saturday. Anyone know why they’ve decided to do that?
Appreciate they now include an evening display but surely they could do that on a Sunday too.
A little miffed, I work on Saturdays so will have to use up three days of holidays

[ted633]

Three of the most popular shows now on a Saturday. Anyone know why they’ve decided to do that?
Appreciate they now include an evening display but surely they could do that on a Sunday too.
A little miffed, I work on Saturdays so will have to use up three days of holidays

I'd assume it's because they are including an evening element. Late airshows on a Sunday aren't appealing to the majority that have an early start next day

[Ryan.]

The themes are as uninspired as ever but as ever it's the aircraft Shuttleworth attract that make up my mind about going to the event.

Must admit though, I do think this is quite a good idea having an evening show attached! I do wonder if any of the vistoring acts will be a part of the evening section or it will just be Shuttleworth aircraft and whether it will be the same aircraft that have flown on in the main display or whether they will be different. Time will tell I guess!

[IP1960]

Three of the most popular shows now on a Saturday. Anyone know why they’ve decided to do that?
Appreciate they now include an evening display but surely they could do that on a Sunday too.
A little miffed, I work on Saturdays so will have to use up three days of holidays

I'd assume it's because they are including an evening element. Late airshows on a Sunday aren't appealing to the majority that have an early start next day

I think it has more to with age-demographics. Shuttleworth is an "older" crowd (and yes I include myself in that!). If they look towards attracting more children/families, then a Saturday show will be popular with them, rather than potentially getting home late the evening before a school day. Check out any multi-day event, and the Saturday is invariably the day that will sell out first.

[VFR750]

Seems logical enough.

[southyorkshireman]

But on the other hand, many families have their kids signed up for other regular weekly activities on Saturdays, especially in term times. Sundays at least tend to be freer days.

[lynothehammer]

Not sure how i feel about it, on one hand it's great as normally i have to get the kids back for a reasonable time what with school being the next day and it being just under a couple of hours away.

The downside is trying to get the time off work, Saturdays are hard to come by.

[LinkGaz56]

It will be interesting to see how the change to Saturday air displays for the three 'summer' months goes. For me it means three days off work and I expect I am not the only one, could this also effect volunteer numbers ? Will people stay on for the evening element if its similar to what has already flown.

[VFR750]

Thing is for those families with young children, will it not be a very long day?
For me; 2hr drive there, leave at 8 arrive 10, leave at 9/9.30 home after 11pm.
If I take the grandson like Family day this year he’s bored/tired by 4pm

[Aquarious]

It will be interesting to see how the change to Saturday air displays for the three 'summer' months goes. For me it means three days off work and I expect I am not the only one, could this also effect volunteer numbers ? Will people stay on for the evening element if its similar to what has already flown.

I suspect that this change is at least in part to enable these many volunteers,whom give their time selflessly so that we the public and especially enthusiasts,can enjoy ourselves at shows, to get some of their summer weekends back, I'll also take the opportunity to thank the many volunteers for what they do to keep these aircraft flying and for the shows to run smoothly.

[SidewaysPengwin]

It will be interesting to see how the evening element works out i get the feeling people will start to leave when the main air show is done. Sunset is behind you so you can maybe get some good photos with the sun is going down.

MILITARY AIR SHOW - Saturday 31 May - Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 19:30 – 20:30
Sunset ≈ 21:11
FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT - Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 June - Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 20:00 – 21:00 (Sat-Sun)
Sunset ≈ 21:25
SUMMER AIR SHOW - Saturday 26 July - Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 19:30 – 20:30
Sunset ≈ 21:00
BEST OF BRITISH - Saturday 30 August - Air Show Timings: 14:00 – 17:30 & 19:00 – 20:00
Sunset ≈ 20:52

The themes are as uninspired as ever but as ever it's the aircraft Shuttleworth attract that make up my mind about going to the event.

I can't agree more all the show are verry similar I only ever look at the visiting aircraft to decide if i'm going or not as most of the Shuttleworth aircraft are at every show.
I would love for one air show a year they go all out and made it unique lots of themes that would work for Shuttleworth.

[capercaillie]

They're just names given to shows, anything could be there.

But also consider for a small venue, hey, lets book lots of visiting interesting aeroplanes just for the greedy enthusiasts at one show and make a massive loss compared to the number of visitors who come through the gate.

How about suggesting two or three visiting aircraft for Shuttleworth, and see if the organisers can manage to book them for a show in 2025.

I believe that system has worked in the past.

DH9 would fit in well for example.

[Professor_M]

How about suggesting two or three visiting aircraft for Shuttleworth, and see if the organisers can manage to book them for a show in 2025.

Well, since you ask, here's three (rather broad) suggestions from me that follow on from what I think has been a superb year for visiting types at Old Warden (Fury, JP, MV293, Thunderbolt, Gnat, Huey, Corsair & RM927, Hawk 75, RN201, Vampire - and the list could go on)...

• TFC - Whilst they often may not venture all that far from Duxford, this year has seen members of the Fighter Collection's fleet appearing at Sywell and Cosby, as well as the Hawk 75 at Shuttleworth in late June. Any of their fleet would be very welcome in my eyes to make a return or first visit to Old Warden this year.

• Classic Jets - With this year seeing the Newcastle Jet Provost, Gnat G-RORI and Norwegian Vampire all displaying at Shuttleworth, hopefully next year also sees a similarly strong showing from Britain's classic jet scene, be that from Jet Provosts, Strikemasters, L-29, L-39, Vampire, Gnats (or any others that I missed off that list).

• Foreign-marked lighter ex-military types - The ones that might seem slightly lost or out of place just about anywhere else - Burkina Faso SF-260, Sri Lankan Nanchangs, Saab Safir - you get the idea. Maybe the least likely of the three ideas to come to fruition given I don't know how many of the relevant pilots have or would get a display worked up, but they'd be interesting to see somewhat for novelty's sake nonetheless.

Whatever 2025 may bring, hopefully Shuttleworth will once again have plenty of surprises up their sleeves and the airshow line-ups will have something for everyone - but for the time being there's still one more show to look forward to this year at OW: Race Day.

[Professor_M]

The collection aircraft due to fly at this year's shows have been added to the Shuttleworth website. The Southern Martlet, Blackburn B2 and EE Wren are all due to return to display flying after being rested in 2024.

Hopefully the weather might cooperate this year and give a few more opportunities to see the Edwardians fly.

https://www.shuttleworth.org/2025-air-show-season/