Since the odd flying creations of yesteryear buzzed a couple of cautious and disbelieving onlookers at some remote field at the beginning of the last century, a fascination for these crazy men and their flying contraptions has grown to where it is today. This fascination today attracts hundreds of thousands of people to witness the bravados of those consumed by the passion to fly. Airshows are now big business and serve a myriad of purposes such as the demonstration and sales of new technology, aviation awareness growth, and so many other facets that one would bore the reader by drawing a long and tiring list.
The origin of show flying.
Over the years, display flying has progressed from a handful of individuals left to their own avail by governments after World War I, which was the decisive kick-start event for aviation progress world-wide to the professionals of today.
During the early years, the war had seen many pilots trained to fly a variety of early tube and fabric beasts in defense of their homeland or for the pursuit of the then public ideals.
Though this new and exciting career received ever-growing interest and attention, a very real lack of jobs was being created for these early aviation pioneers.
The problem would soon manifest itself after the war, as many of those trained would not be able to apply their trade once the war ended. Commercial aviation as such, had not yet sprung into its full drive towards conquering the transport endeavours of the globe and thus the training produce numbers of the war exceeded in large, the availability of flying jobs in the civilian sector. Militaries also always scale down after a seriously big fight and this often leaves many with skills which have to be let go by the institutions themselves. Soon these early aviators would find themselves having to earn their daily bread by entertaining crowds at local airshows. Early airshows were more demonstrations rather than shows and basically were at the time none other than a meeting of some people, who would meet after the word had spread and would observe one nutty individual trying his best to avoid sure death. Since the aircraft of then were not of the most agile and powerful creations, some would soon find a way to impress crowds by carrying out death defying stunts and other concocted ideas to impress the crowds. More than often the machine would pay the price of total destruction and more than often the pilot would earn his after-life wings instead of the sought after pay.
Aviation grew and with its growth it became ever more important to the new industrial, soon to be giants to start promoting an aviation awareness world-wide. There was also need to demonstrate products to both the public as well as the corporate individual and likewise it was soon discovered that many were willing to pay to see these now generally accepted and fascinating machines being put through their paces by a new breed of hero, the pilot.
The aircraft drew crowds based on its new fame as a machine of tremendous complexity, able to defy the laws of nature and mastered only by those who had above average abilities and skills. Young ladies took a romantic view towards these men of might and adventure who could board a ship heavier than air, prance into the sky and laugh at nature and gravity who were not entirely in accordance with the beliefs of those who seeked to be "skybound".
Young men stared with their mouths agape dreaming of the day that they too could set-off into the sunset to who knows what adventures which lay beyond the reach of vehicles requiring roads and the time constraint of the horse or foot to be met.
With the further growth and popularity of aviation, started a very serious commercial drive which saw the passenger sector needing to be familiarised with aviation as well as gaining trust in these newer and more powerful machines.
A new stage was created once again where yet another dimension was offered to the airshow viewer in that some lucky individuals could now be selected to enjoy a small flight whilst attending shows.
The stage expanded to include military types as the air wings of various instances saw the possibility of increasing their recruitment drive and awareness through displaying the mastery of their pilots and machines touching young men and woman all over the world.
The expansion of this airshow concept brought more daring and increasingly intricate manoeuvres into the picture with both the military and civilian sectors seeing a very real place for formation flying exhibits. In the initial stages of formation flying aerobatics many were claimed as there was no one to teach this skill and it all basically came down to raw guts, possibly a measure of stupidity and classical trial and error methods.
The initial teams were none other than a couple of beasties flying as close as possible to teach other with at times some wooden splinters and pieces of cloth being offered to crowds during unplanned little touches. As the team concept, the capabilities and the abilities grew so did the teams both in numbers and sizes. Team flying became a professional venture for many that were now part of the shall we say employed breed of show pilots.
The military especially concentrated on precision flying with ever increasing numbers which saw teams of two progressing to three, four and eventually nine with at times further soloists involved. Today the prestige teams are formed of nine aircraft and are mainly the closely guarded pride of stronger economy air forces such as the Blue Angels of the United States Navy, the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force and Frecce Tricolori of the Italian Air Force.
In the earlier days unless you were one of the original Barn Stormers who based their whole livelihood on such demonstrations, show flying would constitute your full time career and employment if it could be called that. Perhaps that was more of a call for attention and recognition by putting your rags on the line for an often-unappreciative few.
Today's military teams range from full-time tours as a show pilot to part-time flyers who fly as operational pilots and then in their spare-time dedicate themselves to this specialised art, such as the Finish Air Force's Jaska 4 or the South African Air Force's Silver Falcons.
On the civilian side teams often struggle for sponsorship as to them the costs are very real and cost as always limits availability, equipment and size. Most civilian teams are based on machinery easier to obtain and more affordable ranging from the simplest Pitts Special to aircraft such as the latest Extras or CAPs. Teams are generally of two, three and four members and due to the agility of their lighter and specially designed types often-fly hard and tight manoeuvres, which keep crowds in awe at the capability of both man and machine. Members of civilian teams range from those selected to owners to some invited individuals who through their abilities, financing or knowing someone find their way onto this stage in the sky.
In the following editions we will be looking at individual teams from all walks of life and corners of the globe. Military teams, civilian teams and later individual solo artists will be looked at with their story being told bringing you into contact with the new show-people of the sky.
A forum will also be set-up, which will handle this topic, and where you will be able to discuss any maters relevant with people all over the world!
In the first edition, the Finish Air Force's Jaska 4 will feature, to be followed in the next edition by the Red Arrows and more so enjoy this trip through the stories of those who often enthral us with their spectacular manoeuvres and presence in the skies of the world.
Over the years, display flying has progressed from a handful of individuals left to their own avail by governments after World War I, which was the decisive kick-start event for aviation progress world-wide to the professionals of today. 
aviators would find themselves having to earn their daily bread by entertaining crowds at local airshows. Early airshows were more demonstrations rather than shows and basically were at the time none other than a meeting of some people, who would meet after the word had spread and would observe one nutty individual trying his best to avoid sure death. Since the aircraft of then were not of the most agile and powerful creations, some would soon find a way to impress crowds by carrying out death defying stunts and other concocted ideas to impress the crowds. More than often the machine would pay the price of total destruction and more than often the pilot would earn his after-life wings instead of the sought after pay.
be giants to start promoting an aviation awareness world-wide. There was also need to demonstrate products to both the public as well as the corporate individual and likewise it was soon discovered that many were willing to pay to see these now generally accepted and fascinating machines being put through their paces by a new breed of hero, the pilot. 
