This Saturday, 12 September 2026, Šumperk airfield will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a special air show. Organised by the Šumperk Aeroclub, the event promises a full day of entertainment for aviation enthusiasts and visitors of all ages, with a varied programme combining static displays with an attractive line-up of flying performances.
Šumperk, a district town located in the northern part of the Olomouc Region, is often nicknamed “the Gate to Jeseník”, due to its location at the foothills of the Hrubý Jeseník mountain range. The early days of sports flying in the area date back to 1923, when local aviation enthusiasts acquired their first gliders. These amateur aviation activities continued until 1938, when they were brought to an end by the war.
Amateur flying in Šumperk was revived in January 1946, when the local aeroclub was officially founded. Soon afterwards, construction of the airfield began. Initially, aeroclub activities were limited to winch-launched glider operations. At the end of the 1950s, these had expanded to include powered aircraft flight training and parachuting.
The 80th anniversary celebrations will feature a broad range of aircraft types, from gliders and classic aeroclub training aeroplanes to modern helicopters and prototypes. Among the highlights will be flying displays by legendary historical aeroplanes and warbirds, as well as performances by well-known aerobatic pilots.
It is particularly worth noting that the Šumperk Air Show will bring together a rare combination of Zlín aeroplanes. The event will provide a fascinating insight into Czechoslovak and later Czech-manufactured aircraft, ranging from the early designs to the most recent training aeroplanes.
Of particular note is the Zlín Z-126 Tréner OK-IFO, manufactured in 1957 and the only remaining example of the type still approved for aerobatic manoeuvres. Visitors to Šumperk airfield will also have the opportunity to see a flying display by another iconic Zlín aerobatic aeroplane, the Z-50LX. In addition, the well-known domestic Follow Me team will perform a group display with four Zlín aircraft – three Z-526s and one Z-326.
An overview of the Zlín aeroplanes would not be complete without mentioning the aeroclub aircraft, such as the Z-43, Z-42 and Z-226. Centrum Leteckého Výcviku (the Flight Training Centre – CLV) in Pardubice will come to Šumperk with a Zlín Z-381, a Czechoslovak derivative of the Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann training aircraft, and one of its newest acquisitions, the Z-242L Zeus. The latter will be presented by world-class aerobatic pilot and CLV flight instructor Martin Šonka. The newest acquisition of the Šumperk Aeroclub, the Zlín Z-143L, and flying display of the well-known domestic crop duster, the Zlín Z-37T Čmelák, completes the list of the Zlín-branded aircraft to be seen during the 80th anniversary show.
The aerobatic programme will also include an MDM-1 Fox glider display, an Extra 330LT performance by Martin Zeman and the Yakovlev Yak-52 show. Next, history will meet modernity in the form of a flying display by a Junkers A50 Junior.
The warbird section will include the legendary Boeing Stearman training biplane – and, what’s more, the organisers promise that three aircraft of this type will be present at the Šumperk show. Other highlights will include the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor and the AT-6C Harvard, as well as airworthy ultralight replicas of famous Second World War fighters, including the Messerschmitt Bf 109, P-51D Mustang and Yakovlev Yak-3.
The 80th anniversary celebrations will also feature aircraft that became symbols of domestic aviation during the Cold War era. Visitors will have the chance to see the L-60 Brigadýr, PZL-104 Wilga, and Antonov An-2, which will perform a parachute drop.
The aforementioned CLV in Pardubice will present its primary training helicopter, the Enstrom 480B-G. This display will allow visitors to compare the military trainer with the popular civil helicopters, Robinson R-44 and the McDonnel Douglas MD-500.
Last but not least, the prototype of the Evektor EV-55 Outback should be mentioned. This modern twin-engine aircraft was developed in the Czech Republic in the late 2000s and was intended to enter the market as a successor to ageing fleets of utility aircraft such as the L-410 Turbolet and Britten-Norman Islander. However, after a series of twists and turns, development of the EV-55 was suspended before the aircraft reached the certification phase. In total, only three prototypes of this interesting aircraft were built, and the last of them will be presented this week in Šumperk.
The programme of the 80th anniversary show at Šumperk airfield will conclude with a hot-air balloon launch. Spectators will also have the opportunity to enjoy this part of the programme from the air, as tickets for a balloon flight are still available here.
Regular and discounted tickets for the event can be purchased online via the following link: tickets. The airfield gates will open to visitors at 9 a.m., the flying programme is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. and is expected to last for about five hours. Free parking will be available in the vicinity of the airfield.
Cover photo: Follow Me team, 2022
