AeroSPARX

AeroSPARX is a UK-based civilian formation aerobatic team renowned for choreographed daytime displays with vibrant smoke and night-time shows using pyrotechnics and LED lighting. Established in 2015, the team flies from Husbands Bosworth Airfield, Leicestershire, and has performed across Europe, the Middle East and as far as New Zealand.

They’re commonly mistaken for Airborne Pyrotechnics because both teams fly the Grob G109B motor glider; however AeroSPARX typically fields a larger pyro package (over 3,000 individual effects) with around 1,884 LEDs per aircraft, and they employ more colourful smoke during their daytime sequences—so the sky literally pops with colour.

Type & role. The Grob G109B is a two-seat, side-by-side self-launching motor glider developed in Germany. The G109 first flew in 1980 (A-model) and the improved G109B followed in 1984. In RAF service it was known as the Vigilant T1 for Air Cadet training.

Construction & performance. Composite structure with long-span wings and excellent endurance—ideal for smooth, energy-efficient formation work. AeroSPARX aircraft are extensively modified with pyro racks, LED arrays, on-board smoke and custom show control systems.

Team fit. The G109B’s benign handling and endurance let AeroSPARX draw bright, lingering light-trails at night and paint vivid smoke patterns by day—signature elements of their shows.

Formation (2015). AeroSPARX launched as a two-ship Grob G109B team, led by aerobatic glider champion Guy Westgate alongside Rob Barsby (with earlier appearances also featuring Tim Dews). Early highlights included European night shows and festival appearances.

Going global. The team soon expanded its footprint with appearances across Europe and beyond, including shows in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. Their signature night displays blend aerobatics with coordinated fireworks, LEDs, and sometimes drone swarms and ground-based effects.

Recent firsts. In 2023 they delivered a world-first large-scale combination of formation flying, 2,000-drone swarm and fireworks at the Dubai World Cup—cementing their reputation for innovative, multi-layered spectacles.

• Each aircraft carries around 1,884 LEDs and a control system that syncs 3,000+ pyrotechnic effects with the routine.
• The team is often mistaken for Airborne Pyrotechnics—both fly Grob G109Bs—but AeroSPARX typically uses more pyro and more colourful smoke by day.
• At night, long-exposure photos reveal elegant, ribbon-like light trails drawn by the LEDs and pyro.
• The RAF operated the G109B as the Vigilant T1 for Air Cadets until 2018.
• AeroSPARX have performed across Europe and as far afield as New Zealand.