The 2019 Pre-Season Symposium will be held on 5 and 6 March 2019 at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham near Swindon. The aim of the symposium is ‘to assist Flying Display organisers and participants in preparing for Display Season 19 (DS19) by learning from the experiences of DS18’.

The objectives of the CAA/MAA-hosted symposium are to provide:

  • identification of lessons learnt;
  • regulatory feedback;
  • safety awareness;
  • human factors training; and
  • a forum for the discussion of best practice

to all those involved in flying displays, both civilian and military.

The symposium provides an opportunity for the display community to share feedback with both the civilian and military regulators, in addition to sharing ideas so as to continuously improve the flying display environment.

The symposium will take place over two days, with day one offering a number of speakers for all participants, including human factors training and updates from the regulators to include regulatory lessons identified and work to be conducted during the winter.

Day two will be workshop-based, allowing Display Pilots, Flying Display Directors, Flying Control Committee members and Event Organisers to discuss and share experiences and issues that arose throughout the display season. There will also be a number of breakout sessions allowing attendees to meet with a broad range of the air display sector in order to learn, share lessons and assist in the maintenance of the safety of the sector. At the end of the symposium, each workshop will have the opportunity to share lessons or best practice with the wider flying display community and help inform and prepare for DS19 by highlighting lessons from DS18.

All those involved in the planning, execution and flying at flying displays are encouraged to attend. Civilian personnel can apply through the CAA website. Applications close on 18 February 2019.