UK Airshow News – Page 61

RAF Cosford Air Show Right On Track

Exciting plans for this summer’s RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show are firmly on track thanks to a partnership deal with Arriva Trains Wales.

The Air Show has teamed up with the rail company once again to offer an easy-to-buy ticket that combines rail travel with entry to the West Midlands’ largest – and most thrilling – aviation event.

The relationship between the two companies has existed for over 10 years to ensure visitors to the Air Show have the opportunity to indulge in a stress-free and cost-effective day out.

Visitors can enjoy the advantages of a 20% discount off the on-the-day rate for standard admission as well as utilising dozens of rail links to the RAF Station. Furthermore, for the first time ever, tickets to the Air Show can be purchased from any staffed UK station or online. The Cosford railway station is within 120m of the Air Show pedestrian entrance so therefore provides people with a simple but effective way of getting to and from the 2013 event.

Air show spokesman Flying Officer Sam Jewell said: “The relationship we have been able to forge with Arriva Trains Wales provides visitors to the RAF Cosford Air Show with a unique opportunity to have direct transport access virtually right up to the entrance gates. We are hoping more people than ever choose such a discounted and time-saving method of enjoying this year’s spectacle.”

The announcement follows a spate of exciting aircraft confirmations to this year’s show including the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Red Arrows. In addition to the flying display, organisers have put significant effort in creating an attractive selection of events on the ground. Visitors can enjoy expanded interactive aircraft and military exhibits, arena demonstrations, a fair ground, as well as having the opportunity to shop for craft and memorabilia, enjoy fine refreshments or visit the RAF Museum Cosford and its famous Cold War exhibition. Last year more than 38,000 people attended the family day out and organisers are anticipating another bumper turn-out at the one-day event.

Jonathan Goode, Special Events Manager for Arriva Trains Wales commented: “We are delighted to be involved yet again in this year’s RAF Cosford Air show and what promises to be a spectacular event. As always, all of our available carriages will be in use to transport visitors to the ground and we will be catering for approximately an additional 6,000 people. A rail service will be available from Cosford station to Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton and extra staff will be on hand at the station to assist passengers with their journey”.

Arriva Trains Wales are offering these extra services in anticipation of increased numbers and will supplement their current Sunday timetable. Schedules will be revealed sooner to the event. If you wish to purchase your combined rail travel and admission tickets, or for more information, please visit www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk.

Air show tickets can also be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, a 20% discount off tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for children under-16s accompanied by an adult.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to local and service charities.

Air Tattoo Unveils Show Makeover

This summer will see the Royal International Air Tattoo unveil a package of initiatives designed to make the world’s greatest airshow even more enjoyable for the thousands of people who flock to the Cotswolds each year for this unique celebration of aviation.

New Visitor Service Stations, themed areas and a variety of other enhancements in the showground are being introduced to ensure that all the thrilling aerial action is matched by an equally-enjoyable customer experience on the ground.

Visitors to the Air Tattoo, which takes place on July 20-21, will be invited to try out three new Service Stations, which have been designed to bring together everything needed for a great day out including food courts, free wi-fi hubs, information booths, toilets, official merchandise outlets, banking services, street entertainment, seating and a shaded area providing cover.

Organisers believe improved signage on the showground, greater access to aircraft, participating pilots/aircrew and new enclosure opportunities will add further to people’s enjoymentwhilst at RAF Fairford.

Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said many of the initiatives have been introduced in response to feedback from visitors who said that with so much happening in the air and on the ground during the day it was a challenge to take in all that was happening and where everything was.

Mr Prince said: “Of course the aircraft are the stars of the show but we also recognise that the showground’s a big area and there’s lots going on over the weekendso it can be a bit daunting. We started bygathering together many of the facilities people useduring the day into three strategically-located Service Stations.

“We’ve also extended the range of catering options in these areas so visitors can now enjoy vegetarian and Asian cuisine – plus deli bars – alongside the traditional burger and fish & chip options.

“We’ve looked at everything we do in terms of delivering customer satisfaction from the journey to the airshow, the event itself and the departure phase. We’re confident visitors will welcome the enhancements we’ve introduced.”

July will also see the Air Tattoo unveil three new entertainment zones on the showground: the Techno Zone, the Toys For Boys Zone and the Vintage Village each offering a range of exciting ground-based attractions and hands’ on activities courtesy of leading brands such as Caterham and Animal.

Mr Prince said: “Most people knowthatour event isone of the greatest aviation spectacles in the world but there is so much more to the Air Tattoo experiencethan just that – and this summer we’re going to prove it!”

The Royal International Air Tattoo takes place at RAF Fairford on July 20-21. Special Earlybird tickets, priced from £35, are available until April 4. All under-16s go free. Free parking.For a full list of all the visitor opportunities and to purchase tickets, visit www.airtattoo.com or call 0800 107 1940.

RAF Cosford Air Show Includes BBMF In Tribute To Historic Aircraft

The RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show is pleased to confirm the attendance of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to the event on Sunday 9th June.

The BBMF preserves the heritage of much loved RAF World War II aircraft and stands as a poignant reminder of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in conflict. The Memorial Flight consist of Spitfire, Hurricane, Dakota and Lancaster aircraft, all of which are scheduled to make their way to RAF Cosford as flying and static displays on the 9th June and will be sure to perform an awe inspiring display.

In addition to the RAF BBMF, Cosford will welcome back an old friend of the Station in the form of civilian owned Spitfire PRXI serial number PL965. Built at the Aldermaston factory in mid-1944 as a photo reconnaissance aircraft, she was designed to operate at high altitudes of over 30,000ft as well as at high speeds in excess of 400 mph. She was allocated to No.9 Maintenance Unit, RAF Cosford on 1st October 1944 for installation of service equipment and the Air Show is delighted to welcome her back this year as part of the packed flying programme.

Air show spokesman Ashley Claber-Aikman said: “We are extremely pleased that the BBMF are joining us for this year’s anniversary event. One of our key themes for the show is celebrating the 75 years since the introduction of the Spitfire and having so many here along with the majority of the BBMF will really be something special and a delight for our visitors.”

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to marvel at the historic icons, alongside a number of current RAF aircraft including the Typhoon, Tucano and the famous RAF Red Arrows, during the flying display lasting over 5 hours. The organisers this year have also introduced several new hospitality enclosures for the 2013 Air Show aimed to enhance the visitor’s experience. For details of the range of packages on offer to suit all requirements and budgets, please visit the air show website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

Air show tickets can be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

Raf Cosford Strengthen Line-Up With Fast Jet Training Aircraft

RAF Cosford’s 75th Anniversary Air Show is pleased to announce the confirmed attendance of the RAF Tucano and Typhoon display teams to the event on Sunday 9th June.

The 2013 RAF Typhoon display team is brought to you this year by 29(R) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby and will continue to wow crowds with their impressive display of force and grace. 29(R) Squadron will undertake the entire 2013 display season throughout the UK and beyond. The squadron is responsible for the training of future RAF Typhoon pilots that began their advanced flying training on the Tucano aircraft.

Now a regular in the display season, the RAF Tucano aerobatic display never fails to surprise and impress visitors with its capability and agility given its purpose of training student aircrew. For 2013 the Tucano Display team has decided to commemorate the 70th anniversary of 72 Squadron’s involvement in North Africa in support of the Tunisian campaign during World War II. During this period, 72 Squadron flew a selection of Supermarine Spitfires including Mk VIII and Mk IX variants, which ties into the over-arching theme of this year’s RAF Cosford Air Show.

Air show spokesman, Flight Ops Manager Master Aircrew Chas McHugh said: “We are delighted that the RAF Tucano and Typhoon aircraft are joining us for this year’s anniversary event. Training has always been an important part of RAF Cosford’s history and so having these aircraft as part of the flying display will not only excite the crowds but will be an important reminder of the hugely diverse background of the West Midlands’ RAF Station.”

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to enjoy the Tucano and Typhoon displays, alongside the famous RAF Red Arrows and many other aircraft during the 5½ hour flying display, from one of the new hospitality enclosures which have been introduced for the 2013 show. For details of the range of packages available to suit all requirements and budgets, please visit the air show website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

Red Arrows to Headline Wings & Wheels Weekend

The unmissable, sensational summer event for the whole family, Wings & Wheels, is thrilled to announce the Red Arrows will be headlining both Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August 2013 when the Show returns to Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey (home to BBC’s Top Gear).

Currently undertaking winter training in Greece the iconic diamond 9 formation is back for their 49th display season with three new team members Flt Lt Mark Lawson, Flt Lt Steve Morris and Flt Lt Oliver Parr.

Jamie McAllister, Event Director comments: “We are delighted to confirm the Red Arrows are joining us at Wings & Wheels on both days. The aerodrome has a special relationship with the team, not least because this is where their aircraft were built and tested, but also we are one of the few airshows on the circuit where they can land and take-off as part of their display. We’ve also secured some other fantastic air and motoring demonstrations and look forward to announcing more of the line-up over the coming weeks.”

The ‘Wings’ of the event treats visitors to outstanding and diverse 4 hour air displays accompanied by witty and knowledgeable commentary from aviation experts and display pilots, a close-up inspection of all the weekends visiting aircraft and a tour of Dunsfold’s resident Boeing 747 in the ‘Wings Park’.

Supercars and classic and vintage icons put on an awe inspiring display of power and speed on the Top Gear track in a 2 hour auto spectacular from Brooklands Museum.

We’ve also revamped our Wheels Zone which features interactive displays from clubs and a *NEW* crowd line parade. The Stunt Zone not only returns with fast action figure of eights, entwined donuts, a battle competition and rally driving drift display, but hosts gravity defying demonstrations of balance, back flips and somersaults in some hair raising pyrotechnic stunt performances proving two wheels are just as dramatic as four!

The *NEW* improved Military Zone & Paddock adds some classic nostalgia to the ‘Wheel’s, as the regal Military Vehicles complete a cavalcade for spectators before taking their place in our living history and re-enactment displays.

The excitement and anticipation doesn’t stop at the main displays as the 32 acre public arena is bursting with a huge variety of interactive attractions containing all you need for a great family day out. The 1940s Zone will swing to the beat of jive dancing master-classes, while the Hot Rod Zone hosts live rockabilly music, themed retail outlets and a stunning display of nostalgic and ‘kustom’ Hot Rod vehicles. The show arena also boasts laser quest, kids driving, paintballing, kit-plane demonstrations, aviation and motoring simulators, military outlets and displays, static aircraft, a Wall of Death, fairground, emergency services demonstration and over 80 retail outlets selling a wide variety of products and gifts.

Taking the hassle out of your day the show includes added extras to make your experience even more enjoyable; over 25 fixed-price catering outlets, 2 bars, hospitality facilities, free on-site parking, public camping, lost children point, disabled access, informative show commentary, opportunities to meet the pilots, a raffle, official show merchandise and grandstand seating.

The 9th annual Wings & Wheels will be held over the August Bank holiday weekend; Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2013, at Dunsfold Park near Guildford, Surrey, and is open to spectators from 09:00 until 18:00.

Tickets start from £20 for adults, £45 for a family (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 – 15yrs), £6 for children aged between 5 and 15yrs and under 5s are free. Hospitality packages start from £65 per person, weekend passes, grandstand tickets and camping are also available. For more information visit www.wingsandwheels.net or to book standard tickets call 08712 305 572.

Wings & Wheels is promoted by Dunsfold Park Limited with proceeds going to nominated charities: Brooklands Museum Trust and Help for Heroes.

RAF Cosford Spread Wings To Coventry

As the list of exciting displays and attractions starts to build momentum, RAF Cosford Air Show will begin selling tickets from public outlets on Wednesday (March 6).

Ashley Claber-Aikman, from RAF Cosford Air Show (pictured left), handed over the tickets to Dianne James, manager of Midland Air Museum (Coventry), one of the many outlets that this week will begin selling tickets to the air show on Sunday, June 9.

The announcement follows confirmation that RAF Cosford has been nominated to feature within the 2013 display season for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Last year more than 38,000 people attended the air show and organisers are anticipating another bumper turn-out at the West Midlands’ largest aviation event.

Event organisers have tried to make it as easy as possible for the public to purchase their tickets to the Midlands’ premier aviation event. As well as the Midlands Air Museum, tickets can be acquired from the RAF Museum at Cosford, Tourist Information Centres in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Solihull & Shrewsbury and selected branches of Midcounties Co-operative. Alternatively, people can choose to travel by rail and enjoy combined travel and admission when travelling with Arriva Trains Wales.

Air show tickets can also be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to local and service charities.

Fly Folkestone campaign ready for take-off

FOLKESTONE AIRSHOW, planned to be ‘bigger and better’ than the event which made a successful come-back after nine years last June, was officially launched on Wednesday, January 23. Brand-named ‘Fly Folkestone – Turn a Memorable Day Out into a Wonderful Weekend’.

Representatives from local authorities, business and community organisations gathered at The Grand Hotel, Folkestone, to hear Project Manager Yvonne Holder outline the proposals for this year’s event and to listen to a keynote speech from Visit Kent Chairman Amanda Cottrell, OBE.

Organised by the Folkestone Town Centre Management Ltd and with support from local public authorities and aviation agencies, launched Fly Folkestone the collective name for the 3 day fun-filled event from Friday 7th June to Sunday 9th June inclusive.

The Flying display on Saturday 8th June will be supported by an action-packed week-end programme of ground events, activities and entertainment on the Leas, in the Harbour area.

This year it is hoped to attract 100,000 visitors (almost double last year’s figure) with significant numbers being expected from the Continent. There is a potential to generate £12.6 million for the local economy.

Fly Folkestone is totally committed to a “Buy Local” ethos, supporting local businesses and contracting local suppliers wherever possible.

Become a Friends of Folkestone Airshow – VIP Package

Why not become a Friend and receive an exclusive VIP package including;

Complimentary Official Souvenir Programme
Reserved seat on the chequer board (roof of Leas Cliff Hall)
Complimentary drink upon arrival
Afternoon tea finger buffet
Meet Keith Wilson (author of “Red Arrows in camera”)
Purchase “Red Arrows in camera” at special discounted price

£55 per person, buy 2 for £100 and save £10.

www.folkestoneairshow.com

Air Tattoo Is On Top Of The World

One of the most widely-read newspapers in the United States has featured the Royal International Air Tattoo among its top 10 best airshows in the world.

USA Today, which has more than 2 million readers, listed the Air Tattoo alongside other aviation events in Canada, Germany, Florida and Nevada.

It stated: “The Royal International Air Tattoo should top your list of must-see events. RIAT includes in-air performances, two miles of stationary aircraft to check out and interactive activities for visitors of all ages.”

The full list is: Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford, Gloucestershire; Florida International Air Show, US; EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, US; Sun ‘n’ Fun International Fly-in, Florida, US; Tannkosh, Germany; Reno Air Races, Nevada, US; Miramar Air Show, San Diego, US; Abbotsford Airshow, Canada; Great Tennessee Air Show, US; Bournemouth Air Festival, UK.

Earlier this year, a leading UK aviation website – UK Airshow Review – announced that the Air Tattoo had provided six of the Top 10 airshow moments of 2012.

Air Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said it was great to know that the Air Tattoo’s reputation stretches across the Atlantic and is recognised as a truly global event not only by aircraft enthusiasts but also by the wider public.

He added: “Our aim is to create a memorable family day out that blends all the thrills of a seven-hour flying display with an exciting range of interactive entertainment on the ground.”

Tickets for this summer’s Air Tattoo, which takes place at RAF Fairford on July 20-21, can be purchased online at www.airtatoo.com or by calling the Ticketline on 0800 107 1940.

Cosford Club Snaps Up Major Photographic Sponsor

Following on from the exciting announcement of the brand new hospitality and enthusiast enclosures at the 2013 RAF Cosford 75th Anniversary Air Show, organisers have unveiled that Nikon will officially sponsor the exclusive “The Cosford Club”.

The Cosford Club is a keenly anticipated feature to this year’s air show, providing a dedicated crowd line enclosure designed to keep guests close to the action with an unrestricted view of the flying display and providing private toilet facilities and refreshment outlets.

Guests to The Cosford Club will also enjoy the opportunity to trial some of the newest Nikon equipment available. Photographs taken whilst trying out the Nikon products can be downloaded instantly via the stand and even entered into the air show photographic competition with an exclusive prize up for grabs. They will also have a demonstration stand in the public trade area to raise awareness of the latest Nikon technology.

One lucky member of The Cosford Club will be chosen at random to win an amazing “day in the life of…” behind the scenes at RAF Cosford including the opportunity to ride in the back of a taxiing Jaguar T2 jet aircraft. For further information about how to become a member of the exclusive The Cosford Club then visit the official air show website at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.

Standard admission air show tickets can be purchased online at www.cosfordairshow.co.uk or by calling the 24-hour ticket line on 0871 230 1083. Advance tickets are priced from £20, representing a 20 per cent discount on tickets bought on the day (£25). There’s FREE car parking and FREE standard admission for all under-16s accompanied by an adult.

Green Light for Reds at RAF Cosford

RAF Cosford’s 75th Anniversary Air Show is extremely pleased to announce that the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, has been nominated to attend the event on Sunday 9th June.

Regularly acknowledged as one of the World’s premier aerobatic teams, the Red Arrows return to their usual 9-ship formation this year in what promises to be a spectacular display for their 49th season.

Air show spokesman Master Aircrew Chas McHugh said: “We are delighted that the Red Arrows have nominated us as one of the displays they will perform during this year’s season. The Reds inspire and enthral millions of people every year and we are very excited that such an iconic team has chosen to share the experience with us during such a special anniversary year for RAF Cosford.”

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to enjoy the Red Arrows, along with many other aircraft during the 5½ hour flying display, from one of the new hospitality enclosures which have been introduced for the 2013 show. For details of the range of packages available to suit all requirements and budgets, please visit the air show website www.cosfordairshow.co.uk.

All profits made from the RAF Cosford Air Show are donated to service and local charities.