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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 a challenging start to his trip to the Paris Air Show, including a rare flight computer malfunction that required manual navigation.
  • His visit to the Paris Air Show was largely disappointing, characterized by difficult entry, unhelpful staff, overly strict security around static displays, and poor crowd management.
  • The article concludes that the Paris Air Show functions primarily as an industry "Trade Show" with limited public engagement, in stark contrast to the welcoming and enthusiast-focused atmosphere of EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh.
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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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