As every year, the last weekend of April belonged to the biggest air show event in the West Bohemia region of the Czech Republic – Den ve vzduchu (English: Day in the air). Traditionally held at the Aeroklub Plasy airfield, the event marked more than twenty years of history with several interesting premiere displays, at bothlocal and national level.
Over time, Den ve vzduchu has gained recognition as the traditional opener of the season, each year being the first event in the European air show calendar. This year, however, the show was one of two opening events of the season, as a new, local aviation meeting was held at the same time in Poland.
Nevertheless, the 2025 edition of Den ve vzduchu significantly exceeded the scope of a regional aviation event and was marked by the presence of world-class participants, including several domestic and international premiere displays.
As usual, the programme of Den ve vzduchu 2025 was split into two parts: a morning set of side events and an afternoon flying displays.
The morning hours featured static and dynamic exhibitions by the Czech Armed Forces, a demonstration of an unmanned aerial vehicle in service with the Integrated Rescue System, as well as interviews with some of the participating pilots. Visitors to the airfield could also take part in an interactive quiz to win an introductory flight, and visit one of the many promotional stands hosted by the air show sponsors.
In addition, there was the opportunity to view the picturesque town of Plasy and its countryside from the air, by taking advantage of the wide offer of sightseeing flights.
The flying display programme commenced at 13:00 and, with minor differences, remained the same for both days of the show.
On Saturday, the show was opened by a joint display of the Aero L-39C Albatros and Let C-11 training aircraft, both operated by Centrum Leteckého Výcviku (Flight Training Centre – CLV) in Pardubice, a subsidiary of the state-owned company LOM Praha. Although both aircraft have participated in a few aviation events in the Czech Republic in recent years, their performance in Plasy was notable as one of the final public displays of the CLV-operated Albatros.
This year, the Czech Flight Training Centre is bidding farewell to the L-39, switching to the next-generation jet trainer, the L-39 Skyfox. Initially, the final show of the Albatros was scheduled for Aviatická pouť (Aviation Fair), held at the beginning of June 2025 in Pardubice. However, the L-39C display was cancelled there, and instead, the C-11 performed a joint display with the Skyfox. Therefore, the performance flown during Den ve vzduchu may have been the last public appearance of the Albatros in operational service with CLV.
It should also be mentioned that on Sunday, the event in Plasy was opened by a flypast of two Saab JAS-39 Gripen jets from the Czech Air Force. Regrettably, participation of the Czech fighters was officially limited by military authorities to only one day of the show.
Following the short but impressive solo display by the L-39 Albatros, Saturday’s programme continued with a group performance of four Alto 912NGs. The Czech-manufactured, single-engine ultralight aircraft was showcased to spectators in a formation take-off and landing, as well as during several gentle flypasts.
The ultralight display was followed by the first highlight of the show – and the first international premiere at Den ve vzduchu – the solo performance by leading French aerobatic pilot, Mélanie Astles, in her Extra 330SC aircraft.
Astles is known worldwide as the only female pilot to have competed in the Red Bull Air Race series. In addition, she is a multiple French aerobatic champion and regularly ranks among the top ten in European championships.
During her debut performance in the Czech Republic, the French aviatrix delivered an outstanding aerobatic display, enthusiastically received by the crowd. Astles was also among the guests interviewed on the main stage in the morning, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about herself as the world-class female aerobatic pilot.
The next participant at Den ve vzduchu 2025 was the Trenér Box team. Formed in 2022 during the annual Rally of the Czechoslovak Aeroplanes and the 75th anniversary of the Zlín Trenér aircraft family, the Trenér Box team consists of four different variants of the Z-526 aircraft – namely the Z-526, Z-526M, Z-526F, and Z-526 AFS-V – flown by Michal Masař, David Vilímovský, Kryštof Minich and Radim Vojta.
The Trenér Box team made its local debut at the Plasy air show. They performed an engaging and dynamic formation flying routine, followed by a solo display by Radim Vojta in his Z-526M Trenér Master.
Immediately following the Zlín display came another premiere: an aerobatic show by the Niebergall team, flying two SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 aircraft. Although Ralf and Nico Niebergall had previously performed in the Czech Republic, it was their first appearance at Plasy.
The father-and-son duo captured the audience’s attention with an energetic and powerful performance. A large part of their show was flown in close formation, with white smoke trails enhancing the visual appeal of their aerobatic figures.
Next in the programme was a legendary Soviet biplane, the Polikarpov Po-2 (also known as the U-2), performing over the Plasy airfield. The Po-2 is not only one of the iconic aircraft of the Second World War but also one of the most produced aeroplanes in history, with over 40,000 built.
The aircraft displayed at Den ve vzduchu 2025 was manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1937. It saw combat during the Second World War and, after the war, was transferred to the Yugoslav Air Force. There, the biplane was operated until 1975, during which its original Shvetsov engine was replaced by a more powerful, Czech-manufactured Walter 6-III inline engine.
Between 2004 and 2005, the Po-2 was restored to airworthy condition by the Koroški Aeroklub, including reassembly of the original engine and restoration of the Yugoslav military paint scheme. In 2014, the biplane was acquired by Letecké Muzeum Metoděje Vlacha (the Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum) in Mladá Boleslav, where it was repainted in its original Soviet wartime markings.
The Po-2 display was followed by an aerobatic show by world-renowned Czech pilot and Red Bull Air Race champion, Martin Šonka. It was the first of his two flying displays at Plasy, flown with a Zlín Z-142CAF training aircraft from the CLV fleet.
In 2020, the most famous Czech pilot joined the CLV flight instructors’ team. Shortly afterwards, Šonka began flying Z-142 displays on behalf of the Flight Training Centre. Since then, it became common for him to perform two different routines at the same air show – first with the Z-142 trainer, followed by a display with one of his aerobatic specials, the Extra 330SR or Extra NG.
The next participant in the Den ve vzduchu show also belonged to the CLV fleet. The Enstrom 480B-G rotorcraft is widely used by the Flight Training Centre to train new helicopter pilots and is one of the most frequently showcased aircraft in the fleet. In Plasy, the rotorcraft was flown by CLV display pilot Jaroslav ‘Jerry’ Špaček, who demonstrated to the spectators the advantages of this light utility helicopter.
The final representative of the CLV fleet was the previously mentioned Let C-11 aeroplane. It should be explained here that, in addition to its training aircraft, CLV Pardubice also operates a few rare historical aeroplanes, which belong to the Military Historical Institute in Prague. Among them is the C-11, an iconic training aircraft from the 1950s, based on the Yakovlev Yak-11 and licence-built in the then-Czechoslovakia.
As mentioned earlier, this year’s edition of Den ve vzduchu was filled with both national and local premiere displays – and the next two performances were no exception.
Firstly, spectators at Plasy could enjoy the elegant lines of the Spartan 7W Executive – an all-metal, silver-shining luxury aircraft manufactured in the USA during the late 1930s and early 1940s. With its premiere performance in the sky over Plasy, the Spartan 7W draw interest from the crowd gathered at the airfield.
The Spartan display was followed by another Czech premiere: a glider aerobatic show performed by Italian pilot Luca Bertossio. A multiple world champion in glider aerobatics and winner of several FAI medals, Bertossio flew his routine in a Polish-made Swift S-1 single-seat aerobatic glider.
Although completely different from the powered aircraft displays, Bertossio’s performance was warmly received, and upon landing, the Italian pilot was greeted with cheers and applause from the spectators. This was hardly surprising, as his exceptional show proved to be one of the highlights of the Plasy event.
The Taylorcraft Auster Mk V was another newcomer to Den ve vzduchu 2025, making its debut display in Plasy.
The aircraft that performed at the show was manufactured in 1945 and subsequently used by several British AOP squadrons until 1953, when it was retired from active service. It was then sold to private owners and operated as G-ANHZ by Channel Airways Ltd. In the mid-1990s, the aircraft was sold to Switzerland, registered as HB-EZJ, and underwent a full restoration.
In 2022, the Auster was acquired by its current owner in the Czech Republic. Today, the Auster Mk V bears the livery of No. 661 (AOP) Squadron RAF – the unit with which the aircraft completed its military service in the 1950s.
Next, it was time for another aerobatic show – this time from the Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team. This world-famous Czech formation of four XA42 aircraft is well known to visitors of Den ve vzduchu, having performed at several previous editions. Nevertheless, their display remains one of the most anticipated parts of any aviation event, thanks to the team’s outstanding precision and breathtaking aerobatic skills.
The Flying Bulls display was followed by the final premiere of the Den ve vzduchu 2025 show: a joint performance by the Yakovlev Yak-3U and the Commonwealth CA-13 Boomerang.
The Yak-3U, like most aircraft of this type, was originally built in Czechoslovakia as the C-11. The aircraft served with the air forces of both Czechoslovakia and Egypt before being acquired by a private owner and rebuilt to the so-called Yak-3U standard. It is currently based in the Netherlands and wears a livery related to the Normandie-Niemen fighter squadron.
The CA-13 Boomerang, known as ‘Phooey’, was constructed using parts from several different aircraft. This partial replica made its first flight on 20th July 1991 in the United States. In 2014, the unique aeroplane arrived in Europe, landing at Antwerp Airport, where it received its current Australian markings and the aforementioned nickname. The Boomerang now represents a fighter with c/n 962, originally designated ‘A46-139/QE-A’ and operated by No. 4 Squadron RAAF in New Guinea.
The joint display by the Yak and Boomerang was followed by the second aerobatic show of Martin Šonka. A favourite among Czech air show audiences, he delivered a thrilling performance in his Extra NG aerobatic aircraft, once again proving that his flying skills are truly exceptional.
A short demonstration of the Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 business jet provided a brief interlude before the final flying display. The last act of Den ve vzduchu 2025 was performed by the Smolík family, flying the Aero Ae-145 and Let L-200 Morava – two classic aircraft that are icons of the Czechoslovak aviation industry.
As usual, the majority of participating aircraft were also available for viewing at the static display. The exhibition area was located directly in front of the public zone, allowing visitors to observe pre-flight procedures, speak with the crews, and take plenty of selfies. However, some of the aircraft performed their flying displays over Plasy while operating from other airfields. These included the Yak-3U, Boomerang, L-39C, C-11, and EMB-505.
In addition, visitors to Den ve vzduchu 2025 had the opportunity to see several other interesting aircraft that belonged to spectators who arrived at the event in their own aeroplanes and rotorcraft. As in previous years, these were parked along the fence separating the public area, and the list included the Antonov An-2, BRM Aero Bristell, Ellipse Spirit, Jihlavan KP-5 Skyleader 600, Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II, Spacek SD-1 Minisport, Zlín Z-43 and Z-126, as well as a Eurocopter EC120B Colibri.
Moreover, some unique aircraft could also be found among those used for sightseeing flights – for example, the Maule M-5-210C Strata Rocket.
Compared to previous editions of the event, Den ve vzduchu 2025 not only provided a truly engaging aviation experience, but also marked a significant step forward. The show is now well on track to becoming the second most prominent civilian aviation event in the Czech Republic, just behind the Aviation Fair.
The captivating mix of aerobatic performances and displays by classic aircraft was further enriched by the comprehensive presentation of the CLV fleet. It was the first time the Flight Training Centre was represented in Plasy by such a wide range of aircraft – from a vintage 1950s trainer and an iconic Czechoslovak jet to a modern light utility helicopter.
The number of local and national premiere displays at Den ve vzduchu 2025 is also worth highlighting. The participation of world-class aerobatic pilots and the presentation of several classic aircraft from abroad not only added to the show’s appeal but also raised the bar for future editions.
Speaking of the future – the date for the next edition has already been announced. Den ve vzduchu 2026 will take place on 25th and 26th April, so save the date and stay tuned to find out more about the participants in next year’s event.
Additional information about the aircraft participating in the show is available through the links highlighted above.
More images from Den ve vzduchu:
