If they’re performing at an airshow—like Farnborough or Duxford—you’re in luck. Those events have a printed timetable. It might say “14:30” or “4 PM.” Simple, right?
Here’s the catch. Airshow times are like London buses. They’re approximate. The wind could change. A cloud could ruin the loop. So, show up early. Stake out your spot with a deckchair and a slightly-too-hot thermos of tea.
I once arrived fifteen minutes “late” for a display. I heard the roar from the car park. Never. Again. It’s the aviation equivalent of missing the last slice of cake.
The Flypast (The Sneaky One)
Now, the flypast. This is where it gets tricky. A flypast for a hospital opening? A football match? The Queen’s funeral? They don’t tweet that time. It’s usually classified or shared only with local news at the last minute.
Your best bet? Stalk the local town council’s Facebook page. Or—and I’m not kidding—stand outside the venue and look up. The ladies in the gardens at Buckingham Palace? They just hear it. No schedule needed.
Red Arrows London: Today's flight path, time, and how to watch | Metro News
My rule of thumb: if it’s a flypast, add twenty minutes of “air traffic delays” and then drink another coffee. You’ll hear them before you see them, anyway. That sound is pure jet-fueled poetry.
