This success had several dimensions. In terms of organisation, everything went off smoothly for the participating performers as well as for the support and organisational staff, even despite the unfavourable weather conditions, the changed date that coincided with the par-liamentary elections, and the fact that some foreign performers were unable to turn up for the airshow. The main programme and the side events confirmed the venue’s excellent quality, setting the audience’s expectations to their highest level so far. This was thanks largely to the approach of the Slovak Defence Ministry and the Slovak Armed Forces as the key programme partners of the event, which won them recognition of all the participants and the general public. National Aviation Days left a positive impression even in society – as a very people friendly and easy-going weekend venue for families with children and a pleas-ant meeting point for aviation and army fans.

Interestingly, over 100 aircraft and helicopters had descended upon Piešťany to participate at National Aviation Days, including, notably: Eurofighter Typhoon and C-27J Spartan from Italy, JAS-39C Gripen from the Czech Republic and Hungary, F-16AM from the Netherlands, Mirage 2000Dfrom France, C-130J Super Hercules from the United States, MEDEVAC An-26 from Ukraine, or Zoltána Veresa Extra 300Sfrom Hungary. The Czech Republic was also represented by the L-159A/T1 Alca, W3ASokol, historical Tatra T-101.2, the Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team with Z-50LX aircraft, as well as the An-2 and the SMG-92 from the Heritage of Flying Legends. The 4th National Aviation Days paid homage to the legendary Slovak pilot, the commander of No. 127 Fighter Squadron RAF, Otto Smik.

Moreover, the Second World War was commemorated by a number of historical airplanes, such as the Jak-3U, Lisunov Li-2, Polikarpov Po-2, Košice-based Retro Sky Team, as well as by the renovated armoured train ‘Štefánik’ from the era of the Slovak National Uprising. The Slovak Air Force introduced a whole spectrum of its armaments and equipment, both on static display and in dynamic demonstrations in the air, flying with MiG-29AS/ UBS, L-39CM/ZAM, L-410T/UVP-E, and An-26 aircraft, as well as Mi-24D/V attack and Mi- 17M/LZPStransport and SAR helicopters, and Mi-2 helicopter trainer. Moreover, the Aviation Branch of the Interior Ministry introduced the largest aircraft in Slovakia, the government-owned Tu-154M… And we could go on and on elaborating on the list.

The 4th National Aviation Days attracted a large turnout of 35,000 spectators during the two-day venue, the highest turnout levels in the history of the airshow. The participating performers came from nine different countries of the world, and a total of 114 journalists, from home and abroad, were accredited to report on the event. Despite the unexpected weather element, the changed date of venue due to objective reasons, National Aviation Days resonated well with the public, for which the entire organisation team should be given the credit and a big thank you.

Published in Letectví + kosmonautik (Aviation and Cosmonautics) was an article reporting on this event. It ended by a quote of one foreign visitor: ‘An excellent venue, I’ll be here next year again!’ However, this wish cannot be fulfilled, but the organizers will do their best to keep aviation traditions alive and make the wish come true in 2012.

(bej, MJS)
Foto bej, Martin Stolár

Besides displaying the equipment fielded with the Slovak Armed Forces and demonstrations of Slovak military personnel, the programme will also feature demonstrations by police and rescue services operating under the Interior Ministry, as well as those by civil aviation agencies, with foreign participation. Among the invited performers are Su-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, E-3 Sentry (AWACS), F-16, Mirage 2000, Jak-3U, Polikarpov Po-2, Lisunov Li-2, Tatra T-101.2, Orlik aerobatic team, Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team and others. The world-renown aerobatic pilot Zoltána Veres is expected to participate, too. Moreover, there will be a simulated attack on a recently renovated armoured train from the WWII era of the Slovak National Uprising.

The 4th National Aviation Days will be dedicated to the most successful Slovak fighter pilot in the service of RAF, Otto Smik, and will mark the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII and the 130th anniversary of Gen. M.R. Štefánik’s birthday. The organizers are looking forward to meeting the visitors at Piešťany airport.

See you on 29 and 30 May 2010 in Piešťany.

(Updated 18/05/2010)

Accreditation of journalists: All media representatives as well as photographers will be able to pick up their accreditation for the 3rd National Slovak Air Days on Saturday 13th June and Sunday 14th June directly in the check-in center at Piestany Airport. In order to obtain the accreditation all media representatives are kindly asked to present their valid press card or written confirmation of cooperation with media with the official stamp and signed by the editor in chief.

- press@nld.sk

Piešťany Air Show Programme
Participating countries: Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia, Great Britain, and the United States.

Dozens of aircraft and helicopters, two aerobatic teams, ground equipment, two large screens.

- MiG-29, L-39, Mi-24, Mi-17, An-26, Mi-171, Jak-40, Tu-154M
- JAS-39 Gripen, L-159 ALCA, Mi-35, Mi-171Š, A-319 Airbus
- Eurofighter Typhoon – makes its debut in Slovakia!
- Mirage 2000, F-16, C-130 Hercules, C-295M, E-3 Sentry
- Extra 300 (Zoltán Veres)
- PBY Catalina – coming to Slovakia for the first time!
- aerobatic groups Krila Oluje, Orlik
- demonstration of the STRAŽAN, ATE integrated rescue system
- demonstration of the C-11 aircraft conducting an attack on an armed train
- and others