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Jumpseat: Paris Air Show vs. Oshkosh

** Getting up close and personal with the
airplanes was a challenge — quite different
from AirVenture — with perimeter fences and
disorganized crowd flow.**
Les Abend
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author, an airline pilot, experienced significant disappointment at the Paris Air Show due to an unwelcoming atmosphere, stringent access restrictions for both media and the general public, and unhelpful staff.
  • Specific issues included difficulty securing entry for his co-pilots, inability to closely view or tour display aircraft, and poor crowd management.
  • The article consistently contrasts the Paris Air Show's prohibitive, "trade show" nature with the public-friendly, interactive environment of EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, expressing a strong preference for the latter.
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I intended for this month’s column to be a summary of my experience at the world’s most highly acclaimed airshow, but circumstances dictated another perspective. Much to my disappointment, the circumstances weren’t what I anticipated.

After all my Paris layovers, I would finally be in town for the Paris Air Show. Instead of wearing my check airman hat, the month of June had me wearing the hat of a regular line pilot. It was a pleasant change. No instructing. No scrutinizing. No IOE (Initial Operating Experience) trips. Unfortunately, on the leg from Miami I had to pay for the privilege.

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

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