FARNBOROUGH International Airshow (FIA) is back from July 16 to 23, and this year it’s as big as ever.

The show will open with five trade days dedicated to the future of the aviation industry, followed by the hotly anticipated public weekend on July 22 and 23.

More than 1,500 exhibitors from 52 countries will showcase new aircraft and aviation technology. At the last airshow in 2016, 82 of the top 100 aerospace companies participated.

On Friday, July 20, Futures Day, a limited number of the general public and schoolchildren will have the opportunity to experience all four trade exhibitions. Enthusiasts will learn about the latest aviation technology and interact with industry experts.

The public weekend is jam-packed with fun and excitement. With more than 150 aircraft and 600 exhibitors and retailers, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.

Across Saturday and Sunday there will be more than five hours of spectacular flying displays.

This years’ headline act will see one of the world’s most exhilarating aerobatic flying display teams, The Blades, take to the skies. Between them they have more than 25,000 hours flying experience.

Blade 1 and team leader Andy Evans said: “This year will be the fifth time The Blades have displayed at Farnborough International Airshow. As the headlining act for 2018, the team is bringing a new look, new pilots and a brand new, bespoke display – a routine just for FIA 18.

“Spectators can still expect to see dynamic and exhilarating flying but on a more creative level with the unique addition of pyrotechnics.”

The Red Bull Air Race will also be making its only UK appearance of 2018 at the airshow. During its demonstration the team of two, Dario Costa and Ben Murphy, will endure forces of up to 12G and will reach speeds of 370kmh, all while navigating a low-level racetrack.

Murphy, Red Bull Air Race master class pilot, said: “The Farnborough International Airshow 2018 is one of the biggest aviation events in the world so we’re delighted to be able to perform in the Red Bull Air Race demonstration and show what our Blades Racing Team Edge 540 can do.

“The last UK race was in 2016, so it’s important we keep the awareness of the Red Bull Air Race high in the minds of the UK public and give them a taste of the excitement of air racing.”

Other displays not to miss include RAF Red Arrows flypast, AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Aside from exhilarating flying displays audiences can expect to see innovative technology in action. Richard Browning will be flying above the runway on a jet suit which can produce 144KG of thrust. The suit is lightweight and made from small jet engines that are mounted on each arm and behind the back.

Dubbed the ‘real-life Iron Man’, Browning will take off vertically and use his arms to control speed thrust and direction.

He said: “We are delighted to be demonstrating the Gravity Jet Suit at the Farnborough International Airshow in July this year. Alongside other leading industry pioneers, Gravity will be shining a light on a whole new era of aviation now made possible.”

Throughout the weekend there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Angellica Bell and Michael Underwood will be hosting Airshow Live so visitors won’t miss a moment of the action.

If aerospace technology is more your kind of thing there is still plenty to see. The Space Zone is perfect for aspiring astronauts. There will be a range of hands-on educational experiences and the chance to meet real astronauts.

For the adrenaline junkies there’s a host of activities to get stuck into. There will be a free-fall stunt bag underneath an eight-metre drop so you can experience what it feels like to jump from a plane.

Other exhilarating experiences include self-drive mini tanks, Red Arrow and Eurofighter simulators, a zip wire and a passenger experience in a Jaguar E-PACE.

Advance tickets cost £42 (£37 for concessions) and children under 15 go free. For more information and tickets, visit the website www.farnboroughairshow.com.