La Ferté Alais Le Temps des Hélices
23-24 May 2026
La Ferté Alais Airshow France - Le Temps des Hélices - 23-24 May 2026
Dear to Dream: Caudron-Renault C.460 Rafale
The 53rd edition of Le Temps des Hélices took place on May 23 and 24, 2026, at the Cerny-La Ferté-Alais airfield in France. Organized by the Amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis (AJBS), this year's airshow was held under beautiful, warm French sunshine. It featured the core theme "French Military Aviation" and "Flying Remains a Dream", highlighting the evolution of France's air fleet from its origins to modern times.
Bathed in glorious French sunshine, this event once again proved why it remains a pilgrimage site for aviation enthusiasts worldwide. Walking through the gates, one question immediately came to mind regarding the unique setting of this venue, and this weekend provided a resounding answer:
Le Temps des Helices hasn't lost its magic !!
A legend in the sky: Caudron-Renault C.460 "Rafale"
Let me begin with the absolute star of the show: the sensational first public flight presentation of a meticulously restored replica of the Caudron-Renault C.460 Rafale. After 92 years, this iconic French race aircraft from the 1930s, appeared in the sky above La Ferté Alais-Cerny Aérodrome. Sensational! Designed by legendary engineer Marcel Riffard, this blue, highly streamlined racer was famously powered by an inverted 6-cylinder Renault engine. The original aircraft broke the world airspeed record in 1934, reaching a jaw-dropping 505 km/h (314 mph). Ninety years after its peak records, its flight over the grass runway at Cerny captivated the crowd with its iconic sleek silhouette and distinctive engine roar. The aircraft belongs to "The Originals Renault - The Collection."
Modern Aviation
The afternoon flying program delivered five hours of non-stop aerial theater, seamlessly bridging the gap between pioneering aviation and modern frontline power.
- The Ultimate Contrast: In a breathtaking display of French aviation heritage, this vintage Caudron-Renault Rafale shared the sky in close formation with a cutting-edge Dassault Rafale C flying by the Rafale Solo Display Cpt Alexandre "Rocky" Roeckel. An absolute highlight in French engineering and aviation.
- Modern Might: Captain Alexandre “Rocky” Roeckel stunned the crowd with his brand-new 2026 Rafale Solo Display routine, showcasing the jet's extreme agility in the new 2026 livery.
A Living Museum in the Sky
- Rare Warbird Legends: The inclusion of a genuine Messerschmitt Bf109 E-4 was one of the biggest surprises of Le Temps des Hélices 2026. This marked the first time in over a decade that a flying Bf 109 with a Daimler-Benz-powered engine appeared at the La Ferté-Alais airshow. The Bf 109 did not fly alone: it anchored a dedicated World War II Luftwaffe tactical scenario. The display featured a traditional German three-ship formation including: a Junkers Ju-52/3m trimotor transport, a Pilatus P-2 (historically utilized in post-war cinema to represent Luftwaffe trainers) and a MS-505 Criquet (the French-built version of the famous Fieseler Fi 156 Storch liaison aircraft).
- Warbirds: The sky filled with the roar of piston engines as a Supermarine Spitfire, a Douglas C-47, and a rare Avro Anson Mk.I performed immaculate low passes over the grass runway.
- The Biplane Balbo: The show concluded with a poetic mass formation of Stampe SV4s, Bucker Jungmanns, Boeing-Stearmans and Pitts painting the evening sky.
Flying circus
- Danielle Wingwalker (46 Aviation): The standout star of the retro exhibition was British performer Danielle Del Buono, the world-famous wingwalker from 46 Aviation. Strapped to the top wing of a highly modified, 450-horsepower vintage Boeing Stearman biplane (piloted by her husband, Emiliano Del Buono), Danielle performed an elegant yet jaw-dropping routine. As the Stearman traced loops, rolls, and steep dives through the blue skies of Cerny, Danielle climbed out of the cockpit, battled the immense wind resistance, and waved down to the cheering crowd while suspended upside down.
- The Turbulent Display Team (UK):: Complementing the wingwalking action was Great Britain's famous Turbulent Display Team. One of the longest-established flying display teams in the world. The team flew their incredibly lightweight, colorful French-designed Druine D.31 Turbulent single-seat aircraft in a Barnstorming Chaos: True to their legendary heritage, the "Turbs" executed a chaotic, crowd-pleasing sequence just meters above the grass runway. Their display included precision low-level formation flying, high-stakes balloon-bursting, flour bombing and a dramatic "limbo-flying" challenge. This team and act is unique in Europe!
The Ground Experience
The morning static display allowed visitors to walk among the aircraft, talk with the pilots, and photograph the perfectly maintained fleet up close. Adding to the vintage atmosphere, the aviation re-enactors and a trio of historic Renault record-breaking cars paraded along the crowd line, perfectly matching the nostalgic spirit of the event.
The Spirit of La Ferté Alais Airshow
While some enthusiasts noted fewer heavy warbirds than in previous decades, the flawless organization, passionate commentary, and intimate atmosphere proved that this event has lost none of its charm. Decades after its inception, the magic of La Ferté-Alais remains fully intact.
The next edition of le Temps des Hélices is May 15-16, 2027
DUTCHFLIGHTLINE airshow photo reports on Facebook:
Airshow photos on 
Dutch Flightline
Dutch Flightline
DUTCH FLIGHTLINE
'Teamwork makes the dream work'
La Ferté Alais France - airshow images - 2026
How can we assist you today?
Are you looking for high-quality aviation or airshow photography?
Whether you need stunning gallery prints, hi-resolution digital files or a custom aviation photoshoot
Your search ends here.
Contact us today!
DUTCH FLIGHTLINE
'Teamwork makes the dream work'