A European first with Aerosparx and a drone swarm lights up Festa al Cel
Salou, Spain – September 2025
The skies above Salou’s Levante Beach erupted in colour and light as Aerosparx joined forces with a 300-strong drone swarm for a breathtaking finale to this year’s Festa al Cel — marking a European first in aerial performance.
For decades, airshows have thrilled spectators with speed, precision, and pyrotechnics. But this was something new: manned aircraft and autonomous drones sharing the same sky in a perfectly choreographed dance. As Aerosparx’s motor gliders spiralled above the Mediterranean, their wingtips ablaze with fireworks, the drones rose in synchrony — forming luminous shapes and waves that responded to the pilots’ movements. It was art, technology, and human skill in one extraordinary display.
The festival, held from 19 to 21 September, drew more than 200,000 spectators to Spain’s Costa Daurada. Alongside military jets, helicopters, and paratroopers, the combined Aerosparx-drone performance was the highlight — a pioneering step that pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in European airshows.
Achieving this seamless integration demanded precision engineering, strict airspace control, and flawless timing. Every drone’s GPS position had to align within centimetres, ensuring safety and harmony with the gliders’ aerobatics and pyrotechnics. The result was an aerial ballet where man and machine became one.
“It’s the future of display flying,” said Aerosparx pilot Rob Barsby. “Not man or machine — both, working together.”
As the final spark faded and the drones descended in unison, applause rolled across the beachfront. Salou had not only hosted Spain’s largest air festival — it had redefined what a sky show can be.
For a few unforgettable minutes, Europe looked up — and saw the future of flight.