For European aviation enthusiasts, Aviatická pouť (the Aviation Fair) is an air show that needs no introduction. Having been organised for more than thirty years, it has become the largest civilian aviation event in the Czech Republic and one of the most renowned air shows in Central Europe.
More than six years ago, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the event, an idea was born to give the Aviation Fair its own wings. Consequently, on 22 October 2019, Letka Aviatické pouti (the Aviation Fair Squadron) officially commenced operations. On that day, the Squadron’s first aeroplane – an ultralight replica of the First World War biplane fighter Nieuport 11 – was officially christened in Pardubice (Aviation Fair got its wings).
However, the roots of that idea go back much further, to the early years of the Aviation Fair. Initially, the squadron was to be established in the mid-1990s, and a replica of the Blériot XI – the aeroplane in which Jan Kašpar flew from Pardubice to Prague in January 1910 – had already been ordered as its first aircraft. Regrettably, the company that built the replica did not meet all the requirements and, ultimately, the aircraft never flew. As a result, the creation of the Aviation Fair Squadron was suspended for many years.
With the approaching 30th anniversary of the show, the idea was revived by Jan Rudzinskyj, a well-known Czech aerobatic pilot and member of the Aviation Fair board. Initially, the efforts focused on building a replica of the Rapid aeroplane used by the second aviation pioneer from Pardubice, Eugen Čihák.
However, it soon became clear that the replica would not be ready in time for the 2020 jubilee edition of the show. At the same time, there was an opportunity to acquire an ultralight replica of the Nieuport 11, that had already been built and flown. Soon afterwards, the French fighter became the first aeroplane of the Aviation Fair Squadron.
The prototype for the ultralight replica was the famous Nieuport XI C.1 (as referred to in contemporary sources), nicknamed the Bébé, originating from the First World War era. Introduced in 1916, this aeroplane was developed in response to the “Fokker Scourge” – a period when the Fokker Eindecker dominated the skies over the Western Front. The new Nieuport offered an improved climb rate, better cockpit visibility and enhanced manoeuvrability.
The Nieuport 11 replica was built in Brno by Petr Svoboda. It was reduced to 80% of the original aircraft’s size due to weight limits for ultralight aeroplanes. The most notable difference was the absence of the original rotary engine, as the Nieuport 11 UL was powered by a 64 hp Verner Scarlett 5 radial engine.
As already mentioned, the Nieuport 11 and the Aviation Fair Squadron were expected to have their public premiere in May 2020, during the 30th edition of Aviatická pouť. Regrettably, all these plans were soon disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak.
The 2020 edition of the show was cancelled. The following year, the event returned in a reduced format called Televizní Aviatická pouť. The displays were performed over Pardubice airfield without spectators, and the entire show was broadcasted on Czech television and online.
The Aviation Fair returned in full scale only in 2022, once restrictions related to the pandemic had finally been lifted. It was also the first time that the Nieuport 11 had participated in the show, as part of a First World War display flown by aircraft from Letecké muzeum Metoděje Vlacha (Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum) in Mladá Boleslav. However, the Aviation Fair Squadron had to wait had to wait a while longer for its official public premiere.
Although the coronavirus pandemic significantly slowed down the development of the Squadron, it did not stop the initiative. On 22 September 2023, Letka Aviatické pouti acquired its second aircraft: an ultralight replica of the Aviatik Berg D.I fighter biplane in the livery of the Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops (K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen).
The full-scale replica of the Aviatik biplane was built by the well-known Czech aircraft constructor Václav Vondrášek. Its final adjustments for the Aviation Fair were carried out by Pavel Majzner from Jehnědí. The aircraft is powered by a 104 hp Walter Minor inline engine (Aviation Fair Squadron acquired its second aircraft).
In November of that year, the Squadron expanded to include its third aeroplane – a replica of the Morane-Saulnier MS.139, a two-seat French military trainer from the late 1920s.
The replica was built in 1998 by Petr Mára and was initially powered by a Subaru engine. It was later refitted with a 135 hp Verner Scarlett 9S radial engine. The aircraft was also equipped with a blank-firing device to simulate machine-gun fire during displays.
The beginning of 2024 was marked by the acquisition of two further aeroplanes, both related to the Czech aviation pioneer Jan Kašpar.
The first was a replica of the Blériot XI, built by Václav Vondrášek in the late 2000s in accordance with period technical documentation. The aeroplane represented the original Blériot design and was the same type of aircraft that Kašpar purchased in France in the autumn of 1909. The following year, it was used for flights in Pardubice, making him the first Czech to fly over Czech territory (Blériot XI for the Aviation Fair Squadron).
The second aeroplane, acquired in February 2024, was an ultralight replica of a JK-type aircraft (Blériot system). The original aircraft was built by Kašpar based on his experience with the aforementioned Blériot XI, and was later used to make Czech aviation history: the first long-distance flight from Pardubice to Velká Chuchle and the first flight with a passenger on board, both performed in 1911. As with the previous replica, this aircraft was also built by Václav Vondrášek.
Although the replica had already made its first flight, further work on it was still required. In addition, the Blériot XI replica was not airworthy and lacked an engine. Nevertheless, both aeroplanes were acquired with the intention of making them airworthy in the near future. Until then, they were assembled and became part of Expozice pardubického letectví (Pardubice Aviation Exhibition) established at Kunětice airfield.
Back in 2019, when Letka Aviatické pouti was officially founded, Jan Rudzinskyj stated that the goal of the Aviation Fair was “to create a collection of aircraft that would appropriately commemorate the fact that Pardubice was the birthplace of Czech aviation and that aviation has been connected with the city for more than one hundred and ten years”.
This idea came to fruition in March 2024, with the opening of Pardubice Aviation Exhibition in a hangar at Kunětice, a small private airfield near Pardubice. As the size and capacity of the site did not allow for regular daily access, the exhibition was open to aviation enthusiasts and the general public during pre-announced open days.
The 32nd edition of the Aviation Fair held at the Pardubice airfield also provided an opportunity to showcase some of the Squadron’s aeroplanes. The MS.139 took part in the flying programme and in a First World War dogfight display performed jointly with Letecké muzeum Metoděje Vlacha. The Nieuport 11 and the JK-type aircraft were presented in the static display.
The year 2025 marked two significant milestones for the Aviation Fair Squadron. On 25 April 2025, the replica of Jan Kašpar’s Blériot-type aircraft was officially unveiled during a ceremony at Kunětice airfield, attended by representatives of the Pardubice Region, the Statutory City of Pardubice and the general public (Blériot replica is officially launched).
The event took place almost exactly on the 115th anniversary of Kašpar’s first take-off. On 16 April 1910, before noon, he performed his first controlled flight, covering a distance of approximately two kilometres, taking off from a military training ground in what is now the Dukla district of Pardubice.
It took more than a year to make the JK-type aeroplane airworthy. “Preparation of the aircraft for certification was carried out by the skilful hands of Pavel Majzner from Jehnědí, where, in the autumn of 2024, we also conducted the first take-offs and flight tests with the replica,” explained Rudzinskyj. “In spring 2025, we continued testing in Kunětice and then prepared the aeroplane for its ceremonial unveiling.”
Finally, Sdružení Aviatické pouti (the Aviation Fair Association) and its Squadron became the owners of as many as three replicas of Blériot aircraft. These included two airworthy aircraft – a Blériot XI and a JK Blériot type – as well as a non-airworthy replica of the Blériot XI dating from 1996. In this way, at the airfield in Kunětice, the largest collection of Blériot replicas in the Czech Republic was established, which is certainly also a rarity on a European, and perhaps even a global, scale.
Then, at the beginning of June 2025, during the 33rd Aviation Fair, Letka Aviatické pouti had its long-awaited public premiere (The spirit of flight returns to Pardubice – Aviatická pouť 2025). All three military replicas – the Nieuport 11, the Aviatik Berg D.I and the Morane-Saulnier MS.139 – took part in the flying programme. These were supported by the JK-type aeroplane, which was displayed statically and later performed a short flying display on the second day of the show.
In 2026, both the Aviation Fair Squadron and the Pardubice Aviation Exhibition will continue their activities.
As in previous years, the exhibition will be open to the public during its two regular events – open days at the Kunětice hangar and Letadla nad hradem (Aeroplanes over the Castle) show.
During the open days, visitors can explore the history of aviation in the Pardubice region. Although these events usually do not include scheduled flying displays, there is still plenty to see.
Visitors can examine the aircraft up close and learn about their history. A timeline of aviation events related to Pardubice and its surroundings is presented on wall panels inside the hangar.
The exhibition also includes an impressive collection of scale model aircraft, showcasing the pioneering years of aviation and aircraft that were operated from Pardubice airfield. There is also a display of model kits from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as engines used in scale modelling and once manufactured in the region. Additional exhibits include radio equipment and other engines used for RC modelling during that era.
Of particular note is also a collection of metal model aircraft dating from the 1930s to the 1950s, along with various aviation artefacts, including a propeller from an Ilyushin Il-14.
Visitors attending the open days can also enjoy guided tours accompanied by a lecture delivered by the exhibition’s curator, Petr Kolmann.
From time to time, additional aircraft based at Kunětice airfield can also be seen, including a Piper PA-18A belonging to the Squadron, a replica of the Demoiselle 20 and a Carbon Cub UL.
The second type of event held at Kunětice airfield, Letadla nad hradem, focuses on displaying the Squadron’s aircraft in flight. The event takes advantage of the proximity of Kunětická hora and its medieval castle.
Instead of performing displays over the runway, the aircraft fly around the castle, allowing spectators to observe them from the castle walls. This unique concept offers an unusual viewing perspective combined with panoramic views from the hill.
It should be noted that admission to both types of the events is free of charge. However, visitors should be aware of limited parking capacity at the airfield. Alternatives include paid parking near the castle or travelling to Kunětice by public transport or bicycle.
The Aviation Fair Squadron will also participate in the 2026 edition of Aviatická pouť. This year, the event will take place in Hradec Králové on 30–31 May. The change of location was necessitated by the Czech Armed Forces, which own the Pardubice airfield. Due to reconstruction work at the Čáslav air base, 211.taktická letka (the 211th Tactical Squadron) and its Saab JAS-39 Gripen aircraft are currently based in Pardubice, which prevents the organisation of the air show there (Aviation Fair goes to Hradec Králové!).
The Pardubice Aviation Exhibition will begin its 2026 season slightly earlier. The gates of the Kunětice hangar will open for the first open day of the year on Saturday, 18 April.
Those who visit Expozice pardubického letectví on that day can look forward to a new lecture by Petr Kolmann, entitled Odkud se v Pardubicích létalo / Where aircraft flew from in Pardubice (in Czech language). As usual, the exhibition will be open for public between 14:00 and 18:00 hrs.
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