Back on 11th December 2024 Viktoria from the Kaunas Municipality reached out to me inviting me to take part in the Kaunas aviation festival. The invitation was accepted however I did have to give other team members 2 shows on the 25th July and 3 on the 26th July. I hold Lithuania dear to my heart after meeting so many lovely people there over the years of doing business since 1992 there.
I’ve seen the standards of living and way of life improve unimagined in that time. Todays youth can only listen to their parents and grandparents to understand the hardships bought about by the USSR.
I choose to depart the UK on Wednesday to arrive early evening so as to enjoy the hospitality of my friend Vytas Maciulis and his wife Ramune. This was fortuitus because 2 weeks prior the organiser asked if I would fly a formation display slot also with Igoris Labanov. We would then use the 2 days prior to the show training Igor to be a formation leader.
This is a completely different style of flying to the competition flying Igoris did in the UK just 2 weeks prior to the show. Igoris flew in the British open championships placing 1st in the Open category at classic aresti. The freestyle was won by myself, I stopped the Aresti contest flying in 2009 after placing 10th in the World.
Igoris learnt a lot in the 2 days training we had and was a good leader.
My route to Lithuania is always via the short water route across the channel then along the coast to Midden Zeeland (EHMZ) for Schengen formalities after which your free to roam Europe. I learn on this trip that flight plans are now not required (by Germany) to cross international boundaries, I’m not sure if this applies to all the EU though.
The next landing is EDAE on the polish boarder. A simple to use airfield like EHMZ with facilities all in one place. Typically, I file the onwards flight plan just prior to departure from the last stop thus giving me a quick turnaround.
The next leg over Poland needs special thought because the Russians are jamming GPS and without paper maps this could be a problem. To mitigate against loosing GPS or having it “spoofed” I use a separate GPS receiving antenna that also locks onto the Russin GPS signals of Glonass. Working on the basis they wont jam there own signals I also place the antenna in a foil try shielding it from the ground jamming signals. This worked perfectly. Flying low also helps 😉
I arrive at Pociunai (EYPR) 18:45 local which is 16:45 UK time. Vytas finds me a hangar space for the Extra and we then go to his home for supper. Traditionally we start with silke (soused herring) and vodka. Rumane makes a good healthy supper which we enjoy on the veranda in the warmth of evening.
First training day dawns with low cloud and Igoris is stuck with low clouds just 40 miles away. By midday the cloud clears and we fly a duel flight to show how gentle and calm a formation leader must fly. We then fly our first formo practice and Igoris needs to be less aggressive with roll rate. However after a debrief we fly again with rapid learning he does well.
Thursday evening Vytas gets the sauna heated up after supper. A really good way to relax, a proper sauna, vodka and music.
Friday Igoris arrives and we train a few more flights building the show part at a time. All is good and we have the final sequence and plan. Arriving at S. Darius and S. Girėnas Airport formally known as Aleksotas (EYKS)
Kaunas Municipality have booked the Moxy hotel just of the main boulevard, this walking street is full of nice Restaurants. Keep walking west and you will reach the old town, this has been restored very well and is packed with bars and a vibrant night life.
Show day Saturday 26th, briefing is at a sensible hour 12:00. The opening ceremony starts at 14:30 with the airforce band playing on the stage. 15:00 – 16:00 is the first part of flight program. Then 40 mins of live music on stage.
16:40 the flying starts again. This time the UK Red Devils invited me to fly circles around them with smoke. They we jumping from 8000ft so together with the Mi8 we climbed up to altitude. They dropped a woody at 2000ft to assess the wind.
The guys piled out of the door and with the last man out I followed him down to meet the canopy stack in diamond. I fly a tight circle higher than the stack so as no possibility of slipstream disturbing the canopies.
Sustaining 4G in the turn is no easy task, unlike aerobatics when the G is for short periods of time here its sustained for several minuets.
Next I’m up for my “award winning” solo flight, this never fails to impress
With 50 mins “rest” to refuel and refill smoke oil its time to fly the formation, all goes to plan with no loose flying or errors.
Then comes 2 hours to eat and prepare for the pyro show. Sunset was 21:43 with ANBO team taking the “golden minuets” of sunset plus 20. I fly at 21:50 to be completed at 21:56. This is critical timing because we are certified to fly sunset plus 30.
The festival was a huge success with big crowds. What I did notice as compared to UK crowds it was a big family event with wives, partners and kids of all ages in attendance.
Also, some of the best “street food” I’ve ever experienced at an airshow.
Well done to Viktoria and Renatas the organisers.
I planned on staying in Lithuania for Sunday to relax however looking at the Monday weather during a later breakfast it was forcast thunderstorms all day. I made the decision to make a dash for home.
Filing the sGAR is hugely important because if you turn up in the UK without this your “illegal” and the fine is up to £10,000. However, if you drive a dingy for arrival your given food, accommodation, a phone, money, dentist, NHS and more. Something wrong with that arrangement.
Off to the airport, fill with fuel and set of for the Suwulki gap and the Russian GPS jamming. Get in either of the terrorist nations airspace and your highly likely to be shot down. With my foil tray I suffered 45 seconds or erroneous GPS data however the un shielded GPS suffered for 20 mins offering no data.
Back to EDAE in 2:30, then fuel and head to EHMZ however this time I have to find my way through thunderstorms and heavy rain. Zig zagging I manage arriving after 2:50 flight. Refuel, and then a short 1:15 along the Belgium coast and across the channel I’m home at 18:30 a total of 6:35 flying and 990 nm.
Darius and S. Girėnas Airfield
July 26
2:30 PM| Opening Ceremony
Performance by the Lithuanian Air Force Band
3:00 PM| Air Show:
Jurgis Kairys (Lithuania) | SU-31 and Douglas Aircraft Corporation DC-3 (Finland)
Air Baltic Academy demonstration flight (Latvia)| Daimond DA40NG
Vytautas Mačiulis (Lithuania) | LAK-17 mini FES
Division General Stasys Raštikis Lithuanian Armed Forces Military School skydiving show
4:00 PM| Live Concert by Paulina Paukštaitytė
4:40 PM| Air Show:
Historical aircraft Bellanca and ANBO aerobatic team| Rolandas Paksas, Robertas Noreika, Algimantas Žentelis (Lithuania) | Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker and JAK-50
The Red Devils skydivers show (United Kingdom)
Royal Air Force Fighter Eurofighter Typhoon (United Kingdom)
Rescue Simulation – Lithuanian Air Force helicopter Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin
Igoris Lobanovas (Lithuania) | Xtremeair XA42
Laurynas Griauzdė (Lithuania) | Helicopter MTO Sport
Mark Jefferies (United Kingdom) | Extra 330SC
The Flying Bulls BO-105 helicopter (Austria)
The Woikoski Safirs (Finland) | Saab Safir SB91D
The Red Devils skydivers show (United Kingdom)
Sky Hackers (Lithuania) | Andrius Šiožinys | Aeroprakt 32 and acrobatic motorbike show
Fighters of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission – F-16 Fighting Falcon
The Flying Bulls B -25 Mitchell (Austria)
Antanas Marčiukaitis (Lithuania)
The Arctic Eagles | Miikka Tautakoura and Tapio Pitkänen (Finland) | Christen Eagle II and Ultimate 10-300
The Flying Bulls Lockheed P-38 Lightning (Austria)
Mark Jefferies (United Kingdom) | Extra 330SC and Igoris Lobanovas (Lithuania) | Xtremeair XA42
Jurgis Kairys (Lithuania) | SU-31
9:00 PM | Live Concert by Evgenya Redko
10:00 PM | ANBO Aerobatic Team Night Show – Yak-50| Rolandas Paksas, Robertas Noreika, Algimantas Žentelis (Lithuania) | JAK-50
Military Equipment Exhibition – arms, field technology and equipment from Lithuanian Armed Forces and NATO allies, including:
Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicle, JLTV armoured all-terrain vehicles, combat engineering EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) robots, specialized equipment used by the Military Police, the Leopard main battle tank (MTB), Puma and CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, the NASAMS medium-range air defence system, the RBS70 short-range air defines system, the GROM short-range mobile air defence missile system, the Giraffe MKIV radar system, and more. Meet real servicemen and women and learn about military career paths in Lithuania.
Presenting Units: Infantry Brigade “Iron Wolf”, Col. Juozas Vitkus Engineer Battalion, Major Juozas Lukša Training Centre, Lithuanian Volunteer Forces, Lithuanian Air Force Surveillance & Control Command, Air Defence Battalion, Armament and Maintenance Depot, Air Base, Military Police, Military Commandant Board, NATO Multinational Battle Group in Lithuania, and more.
Aircraft on Static Display
Get up close to legendary and modern aircraft: Lithuanian Air Force Helicopters: MI-8T; Douglas Aircraft Corporation DC-3; SU-31; Daimond DA40NG; LAK-17 MINI FES; Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker; Xtremeair XA42; Extra 330SC; The Flying Bulls BO-105 helicopter; Saab Safir SB91D; Aeroprakt 32; The Flying Bulls B-25 Mitchell; Christen Eagle II; Ultimate 10-300; The Flying Bulls Lockheed P-38 Lightning; Burt Rutan Longez DR107; JAK-50, and more!
Family Activities and Education
Kaunas Municipal Vincas Kudirka Public Library educational activities
Kaunas Cultural Centre Creative Workshops
Technical Creativity Lab for Youth
“Little Traveler” activities for kids
Trampolines, face painting and other activities.
Aviation schools
Antanas Gustaitis’ Aviation Institute (VILNIUS TECH). Have you always dreamed of taking to the skies? At the Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute your aviation ambitions can become a reality. During the event, institute representatives will be happy to tell you more about study programs, hands-on training opportunities, and your future in aviation.
Airbaltic Pilot Academy. Founded by Latvia’s national airline, AirBaltic Pilot Academy is one of the most modern aviation training institutions in the Baltic region. Based in Riga, the academy is dedicated to shaping the next generation of professional pilots.
And That’s Not All!
During the festival, visitors will have an exclusive opportunity to take a flight aboard the legendary Douglas Aircraft Corporation DC-3 — a true icon of aviation history (Seats are limited, so early registration is essential to secure your spot for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!)
*The programme is subject to changes depending on weather conditions and/or other circumstances.
Festival organisers: Kaunas City Municipality and Kaunas Cultural Centre
Festival Partners: Lithuanian Armed Forces, British Embassy in Vilnius, NATO Multinational Battle Group in Lithuania, S. Darius and S. Girėnas Airfield
Sponsors: “Volfas Engelman” non-alcoholic, “Driveo” car rental, POLS ice cream, “Saulės grūdas”, “Moxy Kaunas Center”, Kaunas “Akropolis”.
Information partner: Radio station ZipFM
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