As the summer flying season literally takes off we have compiled a cracking list of fly-ins to put in the diary
30 May 2024
From May’s Spring Bank Holiday to the first week of September: that’s the height of the summer flying season. Airfields are busy, grass strips have dried, days are longer and, hopefully, the weather is blue skies. Time to go flying.
Here we’ve taken a look at fly-ins where active participation is welcome. This list was correct at the time of going to press but please check before departing. The UK weather and other stuff can get in the way at the last minute.
Our sources for these listings are varied, and include events sent to us, from club and airfield websites, Facebook pages and elsewhere. Each event has been checked – if we could not confirm, then it isn’t included. That’s important – there are events listings online which we have found not to be 100% accurate.
Remember also to check for Notam. The lower airspace is a busy place throughout the summer with lots of airshows and other events, all with their own temporary airspace restrictions.
Do you know of an event that isn’t included? Tell us all about it using our special event organiser form. It’s essential to add a contact or website where we can check the details are accurate. Oh, and it helps if you can include a photo or event poster.
For more events, such as airshows and trade shows, go to FLYER events.
Glenforsa Fly-in
52nd Mull Annual Fly-in, Glenforsa
A superb event at a wonderful location, amid some seriously spectacular flying scenery. Watch this video: https://vimeo.com/565302760 (we can’t embed it here for copyright reasons).
The existing gyro record was set in 2022. Can it be beaten?
Gyro Record Breaker 2024, Leicester
The annual event by the British Rotorcraft Association to gather as many gyrocopters together as possible in one place. The current Guinness World Record of 71 gyrocopters was set in 2022 at Old Warden. Can they go large this time at a new venue?
Fly-in Carlisle Lake District Airport
Grumman Owners Club event open to all aircraft.
LAA Open Day, Turweston
Open to members and non-members, fly or drive in. There’s plenty on offer. You can browse through the Flea Market table, meet LAA staff and Board Members – and there is a talk by Lucy Wootton, LAA Chief Inspector, on ‘How I got into flying’. Instructors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Classic Vehicles Meeting and Aircraft Fly-in, France
Old tractors, cars, motorbikes and aeroplanes… at Sadournin Aerodrome, not far from Tarbes, south-west France. Formidable!
Jodel Fly-in, Popham
Fans and operators of the popular French classic avoir un rassemblement.
50th Guernsey International Air Rally
The Air Rally is extra special this year, with celebrations to match! Lunch will be provided on arrival, evening welcome drink and canapes – and the Hangar Ball! Plus, landing fees / parking for two nights. And, there is an optional NAVEX competition. All of the above is included in the £110 entry fee.
Stow Maries
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Summer Fly-in
Only single-engine aeroplanes are allowed to fly into Stow Maries, for noise reasons. Check the instructions here.
Vintage Piper Aircraft Club Fly-in, Sywell
40th anniversary of the VPAC’s founding … where it all began!
LAA Bristol Strut Fly-in, Oaksey Park
Camping, food in village. Classic Aeroplane hangar open.
Barton Fly-in, Manchester
Organised by the Friends of Barton Aerodrome: free landing fees, all welcome, refreshments available, tours of the historic aerodrome
Carlisle Lake District Airport Fly-in
Carlisle Lake District Airport is excited to announce its first fly-in since the covid pandemic. The event is open to all radio equipped aircraft: microlights, gyros, helicopters and GA are all welcome. There is no landing fee. The only charge is a £5 donation per aircraft, which will be split between the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the Solway Aviation Museum.
Vintage Aircraft Club 60th Birthday Fly-in, Breighton
One of a series of events this year to celebrate 60 years of the Vintage Aircraft Club, and what better venue than the home of the Real Aeroplane Club where classic aircraft are in abundance. Oh, and they know how to throw a party!
Daedalus D-Day 80, Solent Airport
Former HMS Daedalus airfield was the single busiest airfield on D-Day.
BullPupFlyers Fly-in, Goodwood
Fly-in at Goodwood with pilots’ supper in the evening. Formation flight on Sunday.
Wings & Wheels Fly-in, St Michaels, Lancs
St Michael’s Airfield is situated between Preston and Lancaster on the Fylde Coast, and operates on a 40-acre flat field. It is one of the longest established microlight airfields in the country, with flying from the field established in 1985. You can fly along the coastline, as well as above the spectacular scenery of the Lake District.
At this year’s summer microlight fly-in there are no landing fees, and pilots must PPR. There are charity flights, overnight camping (fly-out Sunday), a live rock band on Saturday night, plus plenty of food and drink on offer!
Round Britain Fly-UK
The Fly-UK provides an opportunity for pilots of all skill levels and experience to fly with others around the UK during the course of a full week. Following the usual pattern, entrants meet on Friday at an airfield in the Midlands and on Saturday morning the flying begins. Three legs are flown each day around England, Wales and Scotland. Expect to reach both Land’s End and John O’Groats if the weather allows.
Blackbushe Open Day and Fly-in
Annual event celebrating all things aviation.
Grasshopper Gathering: L-Birds meet Military Wings & Wheels, Bodmin
Britain’s most eco-friendly airfield hosts its own tribute to D-Day.
Kilkeel BBQ & Fly-in
Hopefully the weather is better for this re-arranged event.
The Stampe Club International Fly-in, Headcorn
The official 2024 Stampe Club Fly held at Headcorn Aerodrome.
Priory Farm Fly-in, Norfolk
Organised by the PFA – Priory Farm Aviators – dedicated to making flying as accessible as possible by keeping costs to a minimum.
Summer Solstice Fly-in, Northrepps
From 4pm til late.
Draycot Aerodrome Fly-in, Wilts
Located in the heart of the picturesque Wiltshire Downs, surrounded by historical sites.
RRRA Time Trial Air Race, Goodwood
Not strictly a fly-in but you can fly in and spectate – just check the NOTAM, Mauve 062/2024.
LAA Devon Strut Fly-in, Farway Common
A fun fly-in at a superb location!
Summer Fly-in, Easter Airfield
A chance to fly to Scotland’s spectacular east coast and a lovely grass airfield.
Shuttleworth Festival of Flight, Old Warden
Check with the venue and the NOTAM Yellow 002/2024 if you’re thinking of flying to this spectacular three-day festival.
Deeside Gliding Club Fly-in, Aboyne
Powered aircraft welcome.
Sackville Fly-in
All aircraft types. welcome. BBQ.
Suffolk Coastal Strut Fly-in, Monewden
Suffolk Coastal Strut ‘Spirit of Boxted’ Fly-in. 10am to 5pm. Landing fee £10 includes drinks & biscuits / additional charge for BBQ.
East Kirkby Summer Fly-in
The fly-in is not just a chance to fly into the former WWII airfield, but also to see the UK’s ‘other Lancaster’ bomber, Just Jane, fire up its engines and perform taxi runs.
Sherlowe Fly-in, Shropshire
Fly-in and Summer Fair, 8nm SW of Sleap
fly2help Summer Ball 2024
Not a fly-in but pilots welcome. Ticket only.
Vintage Piper Aircraft Club Fly-in, Northrepps
One of several fly-ins by VPAC over the summer. All types welcome.
Caernarfon Airport Fly-in, Gwynedd
Historic airport, vintage aircraft, stunning location.
SleapKosh Fly-in and Airshow, Sleap
It’s mid July, so it is SleapKosh Time! Check out the music stage, food and the UK’s best ‘fly-in’ evening airshow on Friday & Saturday night.
You can camp for three days of fun, sun and warbirds. Plus there will be airshow acts and live bands. SleapKosh welcomes visitors from the UK and Europe – with 300+ visiting aircraft! Don’t miss #SleapKosh24 NB: this event will be fly-in only and there is no public road access.
Fly-in and BBQ, Westonzoyland Airfield
Home of the ZoyBoyz! Former RAF airfield dating back to 1920, now used by GA and microlights.
Land Rovers & Aircraft, Compton Abbas
A whole weekend of Land Rovers and aircraft, displayed against the best of Dorset’s backdrops. Serving hearty local fare and refreshing Gritchie brews.
Summer BBQ, Breighton
Home of the Real Aeroplane Club with lots of vintage aircraft.
Evening BBQ, Popham
Another in Popham’s monthly evening BBQs during the summer.
Ladies Day Fly-in, Bodmin Airfield
A celebration of all ladies in aviation. Visiting aircraft – all are welcome. Plus vintage and classic vehicles.
LAA Devon Strut Fly-in, Branscombe
Camping and grass airfield by the coast.
Auster, Beagle Pup and Bulldog Meeting, Leicester
British light aircraft manufacturers unite!
Wings & Wheels, North Coates
Classic & modern aircraft, plus classic cars and motorcycles.
Jersey Aero Club Fly-In
Free bacon rolls on arrival and cheap avgas (£1.19/litre)! What more can a pilot want? You get a beautiful island as well! Discounted hotel room rates available through the organisers, and there’s seven days free grass parking should you want to make a stay of it.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, USA
World’s biggest aviation event and yes, you can fly in. You must go at least once during your life!
Lancs Aero Club Summer Fly-in
Held at Kenyon Hall Airfield – a grass strip located to the north of the Manchester Low Level Route.
Bristell & Sport Cruiser Open Weekend, Popham
Find out more about this popular two-seat kit aircraft.
World Microlight Championships, Deenethorpe
Deenethorpe Airfield is delighted to be hosting the 18th World Microlight Championships. As a former WWII USAF airfield, it is ideal for hosting a World Championship event. There are large open spaces and multiple runways, which should enable efficient traffic management.
The aims include to fly safely, enjoy the flying and have fun together as a flying community, plus reward and recognise piloting skills.
LAA Devon Strut Fly-in at Dunkeswell
One of the most active LAA Struts at one of Devon’s key airfields.
Lundy Sunday
Fly-in on the Isle of Lundy, off the north Devon coast, where the Atlantic ocean meets the Bristol Channel with nothing between it and America. Lundy is a granite outcrop, three miles long and half a mile wide. In the hubbub of the modern world, it is a place apart, peaceful and unspoiled. PPR a must!
Newtownards Airfield Open Day & Fly-in
The big event at this Northern Ireland airfield. All welcome.
Gathering of Moths, Turweston
The top de Havilland event of the year with all types of dh Moths fluttering in.
East of Scotland LAA Strut Fly-in & Festival of Flight
At East Fortune Airfield.
Golden Age of Aviation Air Show, Compton Abbas
A new event produced by Aero Legends, a leading name in vintage aviation, and Guy Ritchie’s Competon Abbas Airfield. “Breathtaking air displays, aerobatics, and precision formation flying,” are promised along with local food and Gritchie Beer, all at wonderful location in north Dorset.
Vintage Piper Aircraft Club Fly-in
At Oaksey Park, near Swindon.
Evening BBQ, Popham
Last of the summer series.
Vintage Aircraft Club 60th Anniversary, Old Warden
Southern celebration of the VAC’s 60th. Note: this is a VAC event, not a Shuttleworth event.
Van’s RV Fly-in, Popham
Sure to be a big event with lost of Vans aircraft flying in.
Propwash – Festival of the Air, Stow Maries
Only single-engine aeroplanes are allowed to fly into Stow Maries, for noise reasons. Check the instructions here.
G-George Day, Breighton
1940s themed celebration of British Armed Forces with many vintage aircraft including warbirds, military vehicles, Army field hospital, and evening dance party.
Little Gransden Air & Car Show
Yes, you can fly in!
Fenland Wings & Wheels
Ditto!
LAA Rally is back at Leicester
LAA Rally, Leicester
The Light Aircraft Association’s much-missed annual Rally is back! It will be staged at Leicester Airport, centrally located for LAA members. LAA CEO Simon Tilling said, “I am really happy that we are going back to Leicester Airport and glad that the team at Leicester is just as keen as we are to make this a fantastic event – whether you are a pilot, owner or enthusiast.”
If you’ve never been to an LAA Rally before, go. It’s the place to see the wide variety of aircraft available to LAA members, with the aim of making flying affordable. Plus there are trade stands with the latest aircraft of all types, accessories and useful items.
