>is it really that safe to have lots of aeroplanes flying so close to one another, so close to large crowds?
Some of the most exciting air displays that I've watched have been 'airliners' (admittedly unladen) being thrown around . I believe there's a Netherlands pilot who displayed an F27, but I've also seen many others (including what is now called a Nimrod) showing their climbing ability and tight-turn handling. Superb! In contrast the Tricolori were tame . . .