UK GA briefing: Airprox reports, fly-ins and STOL
21 June 2026
A steady week for UK general aviation, with the UK Airprox Board’s May reports now available and the summer calendar filling fast across the country. The main event news centres on a change to the STOL scene: Real STOL Fest has been cancelled, but the Breighton weekend is still going ahead. Elsewhere, there are fresh listings for Father’s Day flying at Priory Farm, the Fishburn Pursuit air race, and Cumbernauld Airport’s 60th anniversary fly-in. If you are planning ahead, the next few weekends look busy too, with everything from a charity fly-in and summer fair at Sherlowe to major gatherings at Old Warden, Headcorn, Cotswold Airport and Manston.
Check event NOTAMs, joining instructions and runway details before you set off, especially for fly-ins with limited parking or changing grass conditions. A quick look at fuel availability and local noise procedures can save a lot of club-room fuss on the day.
Cumbernauld Airport opened in 1966, so its 60th anniversary in 2026 marks six decades of Scottish GA history.
In the circuit
May reports are now available
The UK Airprox Board has published the May monthly meeting report analysis, with the page noting it went live on 19 June 2026. It covers the aircraft and drone airprox reports discussed at the UKAB meeting held on Wednesday 20 May 2026. For general aviation readers, the key number is that 17 Airprox reports were discussed at that meeting, including 2 involving drone, model or unknown objects. The report can now be read on the May 2026 reports page.
Real STOL Fest cancelled but Breighton weekend goes ahead
The inaugural Real STOL Fest was cancelled only days before it was due to start, with the organisers citing weather concerns, logistical problems and last-minute organisational challenges. FLYER says the announcement caused frustration among people who had already travelled or paid out for accommodation and time off work. Breighton Airfield’s weekend plans were then taken over by The Real Aeroplane Club, which said the event would still go ahead in a revised form. The fly-in, STOL competition, camping, food, refreshments and evening entertainment were all still expected to run, with the club stressing safety and CAA compliance.
STOL Weekend, Breighton Airfield
FLYER lists the STOL Weekend at Breighton Airfield for 20–21 June 2026, with PPR required and contact details given for the club. The venue is Breighton Airfield near Selby, and the page points readers to the event website for further information. The note on the listing is the main takeaway: the Real STOL Fest itself is cancelled, but the Breighton weekend event is still going ahead. That makes this worth a look for anyone planning a short-field trip in the area.
Father's Day Fly-in, Priory Farm Airfield
The exact link does not resolve to a dedicated event page; it lands on FLYER’s general ‘What’s On’ events archive instead. That page says it covers fly-ins, shows, tours, competitions and other GA events, and reminds readers to check event details with the organisers before setting out. So, on the evidence of this URL alone, I can’t verify any specific Father’s Day fly-in details for Priory Farm Airfield. The link appears to be an archive listing rather than the event write-up itself.
Fishburn Pursuit, RRRA Air Race
FLYER’s listing points to an RRRA Pursuit event at Fishburn, with the tag page showing it as “RRRA Pursuit, Fishburn” on 20 July 2024. That is all the search result reliably supports, so the page should be read as a brief event notice rather than a full report. For pilots and enthusiasts, the key takeaway is simply the date and place: Fishburn, in the RRRA air-racing calendar. If you were tracking the club’s season, this is one to note alongside the other race and rally entries on FLYER’s air-race listings.
Cumbernauld Airport 60th anniversary Fly-in
This FLYER listing is for Cumbernauld Airport’s 60th anniversary fly-in, scheduled for 20–21 June 2026. On the search result alone, that is the clearest confirmed detail: it is an event entry for the anniversary weekend rather than a broader feature or report. For club pilots and enthusiasts, the page is worth reading because it appears in FLYER’s 2026 fly-in listings and marks a notable milestone for the airport. Beyond the title and dates, the search result does not verify any further event details.
On the calendar
27 June 2026
Charity Fly-in & Summer Fair, Sherlowe Airfield
Charity Fly-in & Summer Fair at Sherlowe Airfield takes place on 27 June 2026, with PPR required and the event listed by FLYER at Sherlowe Airfield, High Ercall, TF6 6LT. It’s a neat one for UK GA pilots because it combines a local fly-in with a summer fair atmosphere, giving visitors a chance to drop in, meet the flying crowd, and support a charity day out.
27 June 2026
Shuttleworth Festival of Flight Air Show, Old Warden
27–28 June 2026 at Old Warden Airfield, Shuttleworth’s Festival of Flight returns as a weekend-long air show with flying displays from UK and international visiting aircraft, plus Shuttleworth’s serviceable Collection aircraft. It also adds free ground attractions across the site, including simulators, rides, stunt shows, parades and Discovery Zones, with camping available for those who want to stay over. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, the draw is a packed line-up of historic and visiting aircraft in one of the season’s biggest spectacle weekends.
27 June 2026
Headcorn International Airshow, Headcorn Aerodrome
27–28 June 2026 at Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent, the inaugural Headcorn International Airshow promises a weekend of flying displays and static exhibits, with vintage and modern aircraft, plus a ground show of food and traders. The organisers say it is aimed at celebrating aviation in all its forms while keeping the familiar, intimate Headcorn atmosphere, and it includes HIA Green acts focused on sustainable aviation and green technology. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, it looks like a lively chance to enjoy classic warbirds, future-facing aircraft ideas, and a full airfield event in one place.
4 July 2026
Open Weekend & Fly-in, Cotswold Airport
4–5 July 2026 at Cotswold Airport, Cirencester, this annual Open Weekend invites aviation enthusiasts, families and visitors from across the South-West to enjoy a packed weekend of aircraft, entertainment and hands-on activities. The headline draw is the chance to step inside the resident Boeing 747 ‘Negus’ and board the Boeing 727 M-STAR, with more than 50 visiting aircraft, former RAF Buccaneer taxi demonstrations, helicopter rides, airside tours and live music also on offer. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, it is especially appealing as a rare airfield-open-day experience with plenty of metal to inspect, flying interest on the apron, and an operating air ambulance presence on site.
10 July 2026
Fly-in, LAA Kent Strut, Manston
10–12 July 2026 at Manston Airport in Ramsgate, this is a Fly-in organised by LAA Kent Strut and listed by FLYER with PPR required. It’s a neat one for UK GA pilots because it puts a Kent Strut event on a historic Manston runway, giving local flyers a focused opportunity to visit, meet fellow enthusiasts, and plan a properly coordinated arrival.