2026
UK SECTION EVENTS
A GREAT UK programme
Let’s fly together, get together and have fun together!
Check out below all the events we’ve got planned and come join us whenever you can.
Come by plane, come by car or come by train!
With events all round the country, there are meetings for everyone based in the UK!
UK SECTION ANNUAL FLY IN 2026
LEICESTER 1940s WEEKEND 5 - 7 June
We are continuing to experiment with different formats for our annual weekend, in light of feedback from the recent members survey, with the aim of finding the formula which works best for our members. For 2026, we are proposing a totally “a la carte” low key programme which members can join for as long or as little as they would like, based around the Leicester Aero Club’s 1940s fly in on Saturday 6 June.
Members can choose to arrive on Friday 5 June or Saturday 6 June and depart on the Saturday evening or Sunday morning. We will be making the Novotel hotel (as used in 2024) our base for those staying Friday, Saturday or both nights.
We hope a flexible, low cost, programme will encourage you to join us this year.
One Day Meetings 2026
Spring Barbecue - English Lakes Aerodrome, Cark, Cumbria
Wednesday 20 May
James and Catherine Alexander and their fellow English Lakes Aeroclub Members will be delighted to welcome fellow IFFR Members and friends to a typical ‘’ great welcome lunchtime BBQ at their amazing airfield at Cark, Grange-over-Sands, in Cumbria.
The barbecue together with all the accompaniments plus pudding and coffee soft drinks, beer and wine will be hosted beside James’s hangar.
Cost of the lunch will be £12.00 per person.
Suggested arrival is between 12 noon and 12.30.
Our fall back date, if inclement weather is forecast on the Wednesday, is Thursday 21 May.
Shuttleworth Summer Air Show, Old Warden, Beds
Saturday 25 July
The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden has an amazing world class selection of aircraft, most of which are still airworthy. The Summer Airshow is a key opportunity for them to showcase them flying. 2026 marks the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, and to honour this extraordinary aircraft, they are aiming to assemble one example of every airworthy Spitfire mark currently in the UK to tell the story of the Spitfire. These iconic aircraft will appear alongside wider Collection and visiting aircraft displays.You can find out more about the airshow on their website HERE.
If you are planning to come, you will need to buy your own tickets to the show. Don’t leave it too late – they do often sell out weeks in advance.If you will be flying in, you need to purchase your tickets for the show first, and then to arrange your PPR via Home – Old Warden Aerodrome.
The organisers will be getting there early, to set up an area where we can meet together and enjoy the show in the company of other IFFR members.
Lunch in Le Touquet, France
Wednesday 12 August
Le Touquet is an old favourite. It’s still a great airfield to fly into, an easy hop across the channel, and with a fantastic selection of restaurants, on the airfield and in the town. And if the weather is good, nothing beats an ice-cream on the beach or strolling along the promenade. And if you haven’t yet got yourself registered with the new European border entry system, it’s a good place to get it done.
Our fall-back date, if inclement weather is forecast, will be Wednesday 19 August.
Mona or Caernarvon, Wales
Saturday 12 September
This meeting will be on the weekend between the French and the Italian section meetings. Having headed north, south and centrally in the UK for our other meetings, we are planning to head west this time, either to Caernarvon or potentially, for a new aviation experience, to Mona, on Anglesey. Final plans here to be confirmed shortly.
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
Wednesday 14 October
In keeping with recent tradition, our final casual one-day meeting of the year will be purely a drive-in event. For 2026, which marks the 100th anniversary of Britain’s 1st Grand Prix, held at the Brooklands Race Circuit, we have planned a visit to the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge. Brooklands is home to a magnificent collection of historic aircraft (including one of the Concordes), classic vehicles and racing cars at the world’s first purpose built race track. We have arranged a 360 guided visit to the museum, together with a Concorde Experience As it’s a guided tour, we expect numbers to be limited, so watch this space for the invitation.
You can find out more about Brooklands HERE.
RAF CLUB CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Wednesday 9 DECEMBER 2026
The IFFR(UK) Christmas lunch will once again be held at the RAF Club, Piccadilly, London.
After gathering at noon for a drink’s reception in the Churchill Bar, our traditional Christmas Lunch will be served at 1300hrs in the Sovereign’s Room on the first floor.
All UK members and their guests are welcome, as are members from Continental European and other International Sections of IFFR.
Note: Places will only be secured by registration and payment in advance.
