2020 Tour Programme

Over the last couple of years we have received a number of requests to visit all or some of these countries in Eastern Europe, so we have put them all together to produce a really fascinating tour.

As well as the glitzy national aviation museums funded by the governments, we visit some large collections of aircraft that exist purely because aviation enthusiasts such as us, and the general public, walk through the entrance and donate to the upkeep of the aircraft. And without such support they could not, and will not, survive.  As you can see from the aerial photographs, these private museums and collections contain a wealth of mainly, but not exclusively, classic types going back to the Russian and Soviet era.  A lot are off the beaten track and so those who are prepared to travel will be richly rewarded with some memorable visits.  We also have confirmation of several hours air-side at Budapest International Airport.  After the visits in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, you have the option of extending your travels for 4 more fabulous days in Berlin, to the ILA 2020 Airshow and including some more exciting visits.

Our biennial tour to the German Aerospace Exhibition “ILA”, an event similar to the Paris Air Salon with its large, international participation and airshow, is always popular.  Over 5 full days in Berlin we visit several civil and military sites, and there is one day (or more if you wish) to enjoy some of the world-famous and historic attractions in the German capital.  We stay in the very centre of the city, only a couple of minutes’ walk from the famous Kurfürstendamm, or Ku-damm, with its cafes, restaurants and shops.  Also within walking distance is the Kaiser Wilhelm Cathedral, the Berlin Zoo and Tiergarten.  Berlin is a fantastic destination for a short break, so this tour is ideal for those partners with no interest in aviation who wish to travel with you!

The huge Russian military hardware exhibition known simply as ARMY, is very popular with defence procurement offices around the world – and with aviation enthusiasts and photographers alike!  It’s not every day you get the chance to see Russian army vehicles and air force fixed and rotary wing assets firing off weapons!  You have the choice of spending up to 5 days at the 3 different sites.  We also make a visit to a large collection of Soviet-era military aircraft at Medyn, southwest of Moscow, the Kubinka and Chernoe Aircraft Repair Plants, enjoy a look around the incredible Central Air Force Museum commonly known as Monino.  On our final morning we have a guided tour of the Kremlin and free time in Red Square.

We now fly into and out of Domodedovo (DME).

It has been a while since our last “Airports & Airliners” tour to the land of the rising sun – Japan – so it’s about time we went back!  The airports have got bigger and busier, the airlines have updated and expanded their fleets and, thankfully, they continue to paint a good number of their aircraft in fabulous, colourful schemes.  Like the ANA A380 above in great “Hawaii” colours.  We will have 13 full days touring the country, from Okinawa in the far south to Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo; visiting a total of 8 airports – 9 including Seoul I We fly with Korean Air and ANA.

We travel in-country by Shinkansen (bullet) and express trains and, between hotel and airports, by monorail, airport train or coach.  We stay in comfortable hotels within walking distance of the railway stations on a bed and breakfast (B&B) basis.  We are accompanied at all times by one of our very experienced and travelled tour managers and will be assisted by local guides at certain times.

One of the most popular airshows for enthusiasts around the world is that held on Edwards AFB in California.  With so many specially adapted types flying out of the base, opportunities to see them close up on the ground – and some of them in the air – is restricted to when this show is held; usually every 2 years, but not always.  We will attend both days.  Very conveniently, the weekend before, there is another large airshow: NAS Point Mugu.  In the week between you can spend 1 to 3 days at the end of NAS North Island’s main runway – a large and busy base; go aboard the aircraft carrier and museum “USS Midway”; cruise around San Diego’s North and South Bays; enjoy the collections of aircraft in the Flying Leathernecks Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, Classic Rotors, Blackbird Park, Joe Davis Heritage Airpark, West and North Gates, Century Circle and the USAF Flight Test Museum on Edwards.

It’s been a long time coming, but here it is – a tour to the Ukraine! During a 10-day journey around the western part of the country (not to the eastern part of country where there has been some trouble in the past), we visit various aviation companies, museums, collections, airfields etc., in Kharkiv, Poltava, Kropyvnytskyi (Kirovograd), Vinnitsa and Kiev. There are optional flights in an An-2 from Korotich airfield, a Cessna 182 out of Chaika in Kiev and, hopefully, also in the only An-3T in the country. We are also there for the biennial “AVIASVIT” International Aerospace Exhibition. We fly with LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw, stay in superior hotels - and all meals whilst in the country are included in the tour price. From the questions we have been asked, we know that there are quite a number of enthusiasts interested in visiting the Ukraine so here it is!

Our trip to the last CRUZEX in November 2018 was an absolute ‘belter’, so we keenly await the details of the 2020 event.  Once announced we intend to offer a programme comprising of 6 days starting with the last ‘arrivals day’.  The Força Aérea Brasileira were the perfect hosts: virtually everything was possible, nothing too much trouble.  Access on-base is only for those with media accreditation, however, you do not have to be a professional. Each person applies individually and in 2018 nobody was refused. Here is a truly fabulous opportunity to see – every day for 6 days -  100 or more fighters from various air forces around South America (and further afield), participating in the largest fighter exercise on the continent. Plus supporting transport and aerial refuelling aircraft. Whether you are on-base or stood at the end of the landing runway, you will enjoy a superb time.