Our 2025 Speakers
Details of our 2025 Speakers will be added as they are confirmed in the run up to our Convention.
Ben Dunnell
Commentator and Editor
Ben is the editor of Aeroplane magazine, and an experienced commentator on the UK and international airshow circuit. He is currently the lead commentator for the Royal International Air Tattoo, the IWM Duxford airshows and many other events around the country, as well as being among those heard behind the microphone at the Shuttleworth Collection, the RAF Cosford Air Show and elsewhere
Rikus Erasmus
Air Show South Africa
Rikus Erasmus, Ex-South African Airforce developed a sense for flight safety in display flying. As a warbird pilot and owner, he became a custodian of the formation of Airshow South Africa in 2003. He was elected as chairman, and instrumental in producing the Air Show Manual with FDD chapters as his master line. He was awarded Gold Wings in 2013. Under mentorship of the late Gen Des Barker he became sought after to officiate at complex multi-disciplined airshows in SA. Rikus hosts annual workshops for airside officials preceding each airshow season.
Marcus Jannitto
USAF (Retd)
Marcus Jannitto is passionate about making people think differently about how they lead, and the essential role air shows play both in inspiring people of all ages with the magic of flight and developing the next generation of aviators. He served on the ICAS Board of Directors as Vice Chair, and facilitated two ICAS Academies at the Rhode Island Open House and Air Show, where he worked as a director for 25 years. Before retiring after a 38-year AF career he served the Director of the Air National Guard Commanders Development Course, a 9-day leadership course for new Group and Wing commanders taught 3 times per year at the Pentagon and Andrews AFB. Brig Gen Jannitto has accumulated 5200 flying hours and more than 50 combat missions in the C-130 aircraft and is a veteran of numerous deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Bosnia, as well as deploying to Ground Zero during 9/11. He is a graduate of the Air War College, the Combat Aircrew Training (CATS) Instructor School at Nellis AFB and was a certified JTF Commander and Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR). He spent 10 years as an athletic administrator, men’s and women’s volleyball coach and adjunct faculty member at both Roger Williams University and Salve Regina University and mentors local high school and college athletic teams on peer leadership, team culture and captain development. As a certified Clifton Strengths coach he works closely with businesses, non-profits and government agencies throughout Southern New England and speaks on leadership nationwide. For fun he plays in a Chicago tribute band and flies paramotors.
Wg Cdr Adam Collins
Officer Commanding
RAFAT Red Arrows
Many will know Adam from previous conventions, airshows and media from both his previous role as Red 10, the team commentator and safety supervisor for the Red Arrows. After a couple of years away from the team and with a promotion, to Wing Commander, Adam returned to the Red Arrows as the Boss in 2022. As Officer Commanding he has a number of roles and responsibilities, being the ultimate responsible for the squadrons day to day operations as well as their public relations team. The Red Arrows are the RAF's ambassadors across the UK and globe, their work entails much more than flying and their public engagement at all levels is key to the team, RAF and Great Britain. Adam joins us to look at the efforts of the teams engagement activities.
Luca Salvadori
Display Pilot and Aerobatics Instructor
Luca Salvadori was born in Milan on June 4th, 1961. After classical studies and a degree in Electronic Engineering, he joined the Italian aerospace industry with increasing responsibilities (info) until becoming a freelance IT Consultant. He got his glider license in 1988 and airplane license in 1991.
Has been a member of Aero Club Milano's Board from 1993 to 2005 organising and promoting the sport of aerobatics. Currently holds CPL, Glider, IR, Multi, Acro, VFR and Acro Flight Instructor. Member of Aero Club d'Italia Commission for Powered Flight from 1994 to 1998, Team manager of Unlimited National Team from 1995 to 2000. Since 2005 he is President of Italian Federation of Sport Aerobatics (FSIVA).
Luca has been European Correspondent for Sports Aerobatics, the official magazine of International Aerobatic Club, as well as editor of aerobatics column for the Italian magazine JP4 - Mensile di Aeronautica, and cooperates as test pilot and correspondent to Aviazione Sportiva.
Salvadori was pilot member of the Advanced National Team in 2001 at Siofok, Hungary.
Since 2001 is co-owner with Sergio DALLAN of the Silver Chicken, flying it in competitions and airshows around Italy and abroad.
International Airshow Marketing
Helen Webb
As Head of Marketing for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) for 14 years Helen believes airshows and aviation are a 'force for good', inspiring the next generation to create the technologies to decarbonise the sector and keep us all flying.
Helen is also a professional speaker and frequently invited to share her marketing and aviation knowledge at conferences and events, most recently the International Council of Air Shows Convention (ICAS) in Las Vegas, Post Season Air Display Symposium in the UK and the France Spectacle Aérien (French Air Display Association) in Lyon. Please get in touch if you would like Helen to speak at your event.
Amongst other projects she’s working to define the future strategy for the British Air Display Association (BADA) and promoting a children’s aviation book series by Leona Cobham, the granddaughter of aviation legend and pioneer of ‘Air-to-Air’ refuelling, Sir Alan Cobham. She is also working with Rich Goodwin Airshows with marketing and sponsorship development.
In her spare time you'll find her at an airshow or at the end of RAF Fairford runway, waiting for a USAF aircraft deployment!
The Team
The Flying Bulls
A team that really needs no introduction, The Flying Bulls join us to talk about their goals, challenges, achievements and about their unique collection of aircraft. Based in the stunning setting of Salzburg, the aircraft of the Flying Bulls are seen across Europe each year, with an amazing and varied collection of fixed wing and rotary aircraft. The team have undertaken many daring challenges over the years, with a fantastic media presence, community engagement and breath taking displays, making them one of the most entertaining teams out there.
Jagello 2000 / NATO Days
Zbynek Pavlačík
Mr. Zbyněk Pavlačík is the CEO and Co-Founder of Jagello 2000 Association based in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Jagello 2000 is a leading Czech NGO in the field of public and defence diplomacy and developed projects communicating security and military related issues to both general public and professional audiences. Mr. Pavlačík is heading Jagello 2000’s flagship project, the NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days which has grown into the largest security weekend show in Europe with over 225 000 visitors.
Pilot - Mistral Warbirds
Frederic Akary
Fred is an accomplished commercial and warbird pilot, flying displays across Europe in his own F-86 Sabre, the only airworthy example in Europe. As a Boeing 777 Captain and flight Instructor, display pilot on both propellor and jet aircraft safety is always at the forefront of Fred's mind, with a positive mindset on applying learning from incidents into training with a practical application for safe and entertaining display flying.
Avirail Consultancy
Benjamin Hari
Benjamin is an aerospace consultant and Flying Display Director. he has completed many research projects in various aspects of transport and aviation, including the use of new and upcoming technologies. Benjamin joins us in Prague to look at how AI may be able to assist FDD's and their teams now and in the future.
Dutch Rush Aerobatics
Frank van Houten
Frank was an officer in the Royal Netherlands Navy for 15 years flying the Westland Lynx helicopter and the Lockheed P3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. After the military Frank continued flying in private aviation. He is now flying the worlds movers and shakers around the world on the Global 6000 business jet. . Besides this, Frank belongs to the top world unlimited aerobatic pilots. Frank performs spectacular aerobatic flying displays throughout Europe in his impressive Sukhoi 26MX. Engagement and inspiring the future of aviation is at the heart of Franks work, dedicating his time to promoting airshows, aviation and skills development across Europe.