UK Airshow News – Page 65

Airshow visitors offered chance of a flight in vintage aircraft

Visitors to the Battle of Britain Airshow are being offered the rare opportunity of a flight in a vintage airliner.The event, at Cotswold Airport, on September 17 and 18, will feature some of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War, including the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

However, crowds will also get the chance to take to the skies themselves, courtesy of Classic Flight and its beautifully restored de Havilland Dragon Rapide.

The 1940s-built twin-engined airliner was one of the most successful British commercial short-haul passenger aircraft of its time.

And Classic Flight will be offering pleasure flights throughout the airshow weekend.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “The Dragon Rapide is a beautiful aircraft and a flight will surely live long in anyone’s memory.

“Classic Flight have been to Cotswold Airport on several occasions and we’re delighted to be welcoming the Dragon Rapide back and offering visitors a fantastic opportunity.”

In addition to the Dragon Rapide, Cotswold Airport-based HH Helicopters will be offering pleasure flights.

Crowds will also get the chance to visit the various flying clubs and organisations on-site, which specialise in everything from flying lessons to Top Gun aerial combat experiences.

Other performers will include the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team.

An AN2 – the world’s largest single-engined biplane – and a Chipmunk will also take to the skies.

Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a traditional fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides.

Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “We’ve already had a great response from local businesses and are extremely keen to attract even more participation from the surrounding community.

“We want to show everyone exactly what the Cotswolds has to offer, as well as provide an event that caters for all the family.”

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); at The Crown public house, West Market Place, Cirencesrer; from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, and also by telephoning 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com

Royal Air Force Kemble opened in 1938 as part of the RAF’s ‘expansion plan’, which concentrated on training and maintenance bases.

It has been used for aviation activities ever since and was home to the world-famous Red Arrows display team during the 1980s, who were a regular sight in the skies above the south Cotswolds, practicing up to four times a day.

The airport’s current owner, Ronan Harvey, operated the airfield on behalf of the Ministry of Defence for five years, before purchasing it outright in 2001.

His aim was to maintain the site’s use as an active airfield and safeguard its rich heritage, while at the same time encouraging both local and international businesses to base themselves at Kemble – a move which has created hundreds of jobs in the local community,

Today, the site, which is known as Cotswold Airport and is licenced by the Civil Aviation Authority, is home to dozens of businesses, flying clubs and a thriving restaurant.

The airport stages a host of events, including the hugely popular annual Cotswold Airshow, Vintage Flying Weekend, Race for Life, and Mobility Show – the biggest UK show devoted to mobility for the disabled.

In addition, the airport has very strong ties with the local community, offering an aviation scholarship scheme to young pilots, engineers and would-be traffic controllers.

The airport also raises thousands of pounds for charities and worthy causes, including the RAF Benevolent Fund.

United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration to make UK appearance at Duxford Air Show

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted to announce that the United States Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagle demonstration will display at The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September) in its only UK appearance in 2011.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter aircraft with two crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer, performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fly at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather. It also gives the aircraft the ability to destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out of combat situations.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a thrilling aircraft to watch in flight and its presentation at The Duxford Air Show will provide an exciting highlight to an amazing programme of aerial activity. The F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration will be performed by Major Mike “Cash” Maeder, the Air Combat Command’s Strike Eagle Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander.

As the Demonstration pilot, Mike showcases America’s F-15E Strike Eagle to more than seven million people at approximately 65 shows around the world every year. He is currently assigned as an F-15 Eagle instructor pilot.

The F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team operates from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina and is part of the United States Air Force 4th Fighter Wing. It has the distinction of being the only Air Force unit that can trace its history back to Great Britain.

The lineage of the 4th Fighter Wing can be traced back directly to RAF Duxford during the 1940s. Prior to the United States officially entering the Second World War, American volunteers were already serving in combat with the Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons.

There were three Eagle Squadrons – Nos. 71, 121 and 133. No.133 Squadron, reformed as the 3rd RAF Eagle Squadron on 31 July 1941, was based at Duxford from August to October 1941. On both occasions, it operated from Fowlmere, Duxford’s satellite fighter station.

When the United States entered the Second World War, the Eagle Squadron units, and their American pilots, were transferred to the United States Army Air Forces 8th Air Force, forming the 4th Fighter Group on 12 September 1942. The 4th Fighter Group was redesignated as the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing in July 1958.

Today, the 4th Fighter Wing is one of two on-call rapid response aerospace expeditionary wings. The 4th Fighter Wing was the first to assume this mission on 1 October 1999.

The historic link between Duxford and the United States Air Force continues to the present day.

The only UK appearance by the F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration forms a key highlight of a superb flying programme at The Duxford Air Show. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire, Duxford marks the technological development of this iconic aircraft with static and aerial displays by a range of Spitfires, from the original Mark I Spitfire through to the Mark XVI.

Aerobatic excitement is provided by the Aerostars on Saturday 3 September and the Red Arrows on Sunday 4 September.

Additional highlights include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane French Air Force Alpha Jet (Saturday only), RAF Sea King, Army Apache, RAF King Air, Royal Navy Historic Flight Swordfish, SWIP Twister Duo, B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, T-28 Trojan (x2), Curtiss 75 Hawk, Hawker Hurricane, Bouchon 109, Curtiss P-40F, Curtiss P-40B and, on static display, the Italian Air Force C-27J and the Polish Air Force M-28.

With such a spectacular air display, The Duxford Air Show, celebrating the legendary Spitfire, is not to be missed!

The IWM Duxford Air Show App 2011

Following the launch of the IWM Duxford Air Show App at the Spring Air Show and some enthusiastic feedback from users, we have refined the Air Show App for use at The Duxford Air Show.

The App will now run faster and more seamlessly, providing real time, up-to-the-minute information about what is flying at The Duxford Air Show, as the aircraft display.

Available for both Android and iPhone platforms, the App also includes an extensive library of photography, statistics and information about classic aircraft you can see flying in the 2011 air shows and where in the Museum you can find out more about them.

The App is currently FREE to download. It will be available for download prior to The Duxford Air Show and on the day itself – IWM Duxford will be providing wifi access at the museum for live downloading.

This dynamic guide to The Duxford Air Show, and our other air shows throughout 2011, is a first for Duxford and demonstrates the Imperial War Museum’s commitment to innovation in new technologies. It aims to be the most innovative air show app around.

For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxfordairshows

Military History supports Duxford’s 2011 Air Shows

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted that Military History is supporting its 2011 air show season.

In addition to brand positioning across the Duxford air shows, Military History is supporting the new Duxford Air Shows App and a ‘Hands on History’ zone, which gives families the opportunity to learn
about history together in a fun and interactive way during Duxford’s air shows.

Military History is the only channel dedicated to the conflicts, people and technology that shaped our modern world. With programmes that feature expert interviews, eyewitness accounts, astonishing archive and re-enactments, we take you into the war rooms, in the seat of a fighter jet and onto the battlefield.

Military History is available in the UK on Sky 531 and Virgin Media 236.

Eastbourne Airbourne Goes Global

Eastbourne is celebrating a spectacular weekend with Airbourne 2011 attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the destination to witness the thrilling aerobatics and action-packed arena displays, as well as reaching its biggest ever online audience.For the first time this year Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow was streamed live online through the new Airbourne TV and with several websites carrying the feed, the Eastbourne event reached more than 60,000 viewers across the world.

Attracting some of the most visibly busy crowds in the event’s history; Airbourne was also enjoyed by online viewers in countries such as the USA, India, Brazil, Thailand, Germany, Italy, France and the Philippines.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a brilliant four days we have just enjoyed in Eastbourne! Airbourne 2011 really did surpass all expectations and despite a bad start with the weather on Thursday, the rest of the weekend showed Eastbourne to be back on form with bright sunshine and blue skies!

“The seafront was absolutely packed with visitors all here to enjoy our four day flying spectacular and it was a fantastic sight to see so many people enjoying themselves at our fabulous free event. Airbourne TV was a great addition this year meaning that we could raise awareness of Eastbourne across the globe with the live stream and it also offered visitors to the event the chance to watch exclusive interviews with pilots and display crews for the first time.

“Airbourne is a magnificent event for Eastbourne; not only does it bring new visitors to the town spending in local businesses but it also raises the profile of the destination. I’d like to pass on my thanks to the many partners and sponsors who support Airbourne, including the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the British Army, the emergency service teams and all the concessions and exhibitors who help to fund the how. I’d particularly like to thank the Eastbourne Hospitality Association, who carry out the bucket collection to raise funds towards the future of the event. If anyone missed the bucket collectors on the day, there is still time to donate either in person at the Tourist Information Centre or online via VisitEastbourne.com.

“We would also like to thank our major sponsors Eastbourne Pier, SITA, Stagecoach, Shepherd Neame, Southern Railway, Specsavers, Moira House School, Renault UK, Cherry Broadband and Geo Collins Honda for their generous support of the show.”

This year’s Airbourne welcomed several new displays, including the Royal Navy Black Cats, classic jets Hawker Hunter ‘Miss Demeanour’ and F86 Sabre, and the return of the RAF Tornado, with visitors also pleased to see the Royal Marines Unarmed Combat back in the arena.

Hundreds of visitors lined the arena on Saturday afternoon to meet the Red Arrows for their special ground visit with the display team greeting fans, signing autographs and even practicing their football skills with Brighton and Hove Albion. On Saturday evening, visitors watched and sang along to a screening of the popular 70s movie Grease at the Western Lawns.

Icon Stylists added a new element to the event this year with Hairbourne offering the chance for visitors to have their hair cut by celebrity hairdresser Jal Clarke in return for donations towards the event. Scores of people queued each day for a hair cut and hundreds of visitors watched the hairdressing team in action on the Wish Tower Slopes.

Airshow fans made the most of popular social networking sites Twitter and Facebook to interact with fellow Airbourne visitors and share their comments and photos throughout the event, with the event’s official twitter feed attracting an additional 400 followers during the past week and over 521 new likes on the official facebook page.

Airbourne is set to return to Eastbourne next summer for its 20th anniversary year from 9 – 12 August.

For more information and to contribute to this year’s retiring collection, with 70% of monies going towards Airbourne’s future and 30% to the Eastbourne RNLI Lifeboats go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

Visitors Encouraged to Recycle at Airbourne

Eastbourne company Haulaway Ltd is teaming up with the organisers of Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow to encourage visitors to recycle their rubbish during the free four day event this week.Taking place from tomorrow, Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th August, Airbourne attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and this year is stepping up its recycling efforts by introducing Haulaway Ltd’s new wheelie bins throughout the site.

Haulaway Ltd has dedicated 27 brand new wheelie bins ranging from 1100ltr to 660ltr to be placed around the Airbourne site to encourage visitors to recycle their glass and cardboard. All waste streams will then be brought back to Haulaway Ltd’s Transfer Station in nearby Hailsham where it will be segregated into its recycled commodities.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very pleased to be working alongside Haulaway Ltd at Airbourne this year to make it as easy as possible for visitors to recycle their waste. Bins will be located close to all of the catering units and I really want to urge visitors to make the most of the recycling facilities available.

The Council’s Waste Awareness Team will be on site at Airbourne this year with an informative stand to tell visitors about all things recycling. Visitors and residents will be able to find out how much is recycled in the town and exactly what happens to it.

Airbourne opens at 10am this Thursday and promises a packed four days of thrilling flying, arena displays, evening concerts and a firework finale. The Red Arrows will be displaying on Friday, Saturday and Sunday alongside a bumper programme of RAF, Royal Navy, and civilian displays.

For more information on what’s on at Airbourne go to www.visiteastbourne.com or call 0871 663 0031. Visitors will also be able to keep up with the action via Airbourne TV on three large screens on the seafront or online at www.visiteastbourne.com/airbournetv.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight legends in moving tribute at Cotswold show

The most iconic aircraft of the Second World War will take to the skies in a moving tribute at the Battle of Britain Air Show and festival, at Cotswold Airport.The Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster of the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) are set to play the starring role at this year’s show, on September 17 and 18.

Unlike previous years, when the event was a pure airshow, the 2011 event will also feature a steam fair, complete with carousel, helter skelter and other rides. Organisers are also inviting local traders to become more involved and use the show to showcase their products and services and create a shopping area featuring the best of local produce.

Event director Suzannah Harvey said: “Last year’s event was a sell out and we want to build on that huge success and create a real festival atmosphere.

“As always, we want to ensure the show is a fitting tribute to all those who fought so gallantly for our freedom in the Second World War.

“But we also want local people to become more involved and really feel like an integral part of the event.”

The BoB Airshow will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire and the BBMF are one again set to thrill the crowds.

The flight, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, serves as a flying tribute to the many courageous pilots, some still in their teens, who took to the skies against an enemy German air force that had vastly superior numbers of aircraft.

Along with Europe’s only flying Lancaster bomber, the flight operates no less than five Supermarine Spitfires of various marks (one of which actually fought in the Battle of Britain), two Hawker Hurricanes and a Dakota.

Other performers will include the Tiger Nine Tiger Moth display team and the South Cerney-based Renegades parachute team.

An AN2, Dragon Rapide and a Chipmunk, representing the airport-based fly2help charity, will also take to the skies.

Event operations manager Glen Moreman said: “It’s always a delight to see the BBMF return to the skies above the Cotswolds and this year’s show has added significance in that it marks a true milestone for the Spitfire.

“We’ve got a beautiful setting here at Cotswold Airport and, because the BoB Airshow will be based on the north side, around the control tower, it gives the event a very intimate and atmospheric feel.”

Cotswold Airport will continue to support the charities fly2help and the RAF Benevolent Fund during the weekend of the show.

Tickets for the event are priced at £15, with children 16 and under admitted free.

They are available online through the air show website (www.battleofbritainairshow.com); from the following Tourist Information Centres: Cheltenham, Chippenham, Cirencester, Corsham, Malmesbury, Stroud, Swindon, Tetbury, Warminster, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Melksham, Trowbridge, Gloucester, Tewkesbury; from The Crown public house, Cirencester; and via telephone 08712 301 079.

Local traders are also being offered heavily discounted rates for showground pitches.

For more information on trade stand rates, contact Suzannah Harvey at suzannah@cotswoldairport.com.

Experience a stateside showcase at Imperial War Museum Duxford

American Air Day

Friday 19 August

Enjoy an Anglo-American celebration as Imperial War Museum Duxford hosts its fifth American Air Day on Friday 19 August.

This family-friendly, interactive day showcases the work of the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE), in particular units of the Third Air Force based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

Meet and mingle with USAFE personnel and find out more about their missions, aircraft and equipment. Discover what it is like to be serving on an American air base in Britain.

Exciting flying demonstrations will include displays by the F-15 C (x2), a tactical single-seat fighter and the F-15E Strike Eagle (x2) a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. There will also be a flyby from the KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that provides the core refuelling capability for the United States Air Force, having excelled in this role for more than 50 years.

It is also likely that there will be a flypast by the A-10 Thunderbolt II (x 2), a highly-advanced fighter aircraft which has excellent manoeuvrability at low speeds and altitude, with a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The A10 Thunderbolt II has not previously flown at Duxford so there is huge excitement around this potential flypast!

A selection of Duxford’s historic American aircraft will also take to the skies, celebrating the United States’ heritage of iconic aeroplanes. These will include the North American F-86 Sabre, Boeing Stearman, AT-16 Harvard (x 2), Beechcraft 17 Staggerwing and the Consolidated PBY Catalina.

See a wide range of displays and demonstrations which show the diversity of operations and roles within USAFE. The popular Security Forces Service (SFS) K9 dog display team will be showcasing the skills of USAFE’s highly trained dogs in three demonstrations throughout the day.

There will also be a display of the Security Forces Humvee vehicles and a display of trucks and firefighting equipment from the USAFE Fire Service, including the chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog. In addition, there will be a Birds of Prey demonstration, which is always a huge attraction.

The USAFE Operational Support Service will be presenting aircrew flight equipment and demonstrating how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness – using Duxford’s own static F15 Eagle exhibit as part of the demonstration for true authenticity.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the USAFE Honor Guard will be remembering United States personnel who have lost their lives in active service.

This moving act of remembrance directly links with the American Air Museum at IWM Duxford, which stands as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases in defence of liberty during the Second WorldWar and also honours those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and other conflicts and battles of the 20th and 21st centuries.

We’re delighted to be welcoming back SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham who will be hosting walk-around tours of the Blackbird spy plane that he flew, which is now in pride of place in the American Air Museum.

There will also be a display of stylish American classic cars, complete with fins, chrome and fabulous interiors.

Come along and meet members of the United States Air Force in Europe in a relaxed, family-friendly day and enjoy an Anglo-American celebration at Duxford!

This exciting day also acknowledges the historic link between East Anglia and the United States Army Air Force that dates back to 1918, when the first US airmen arrived at RAF Duxford.

Summer Holiday activities too!

In addition, IWM Duxford’s summer holiday activities will be running during American Air Day.

Try your hand at exciting experiments as Feel the Force brings science and technology to life from 10.30am to 2.30pm under the wings of the iconic Concorde in AirSpace. Get a grip, pulling and pushing gears and levers to see forces and motion at work and then discover how those forces are put to great effect in the huge aircraft that surround you.

Test your knowledge of the flying pioneers who played a significant role in the development of aviation and try a real ejector seat for size.

The Airfix Make and Paint Zone provides an opportunity to make your own Airfix model and paint it in a range of colours. Once complete, the finished model aircraft is placed into a hanger box so that you can take your aviation masterpiece home as a souvenir of your day at Duxford.

Duxford takes a trip back to the 1940s Home Front in Hangar 4: Battle of Britain from 11.00am to 3.00pm with Gooseberries and Gas Masks.

Find out about life during the Second World War; discover what the wartime ration of food looked like, the types of gas masks that were worn and the air raid precautions that were strictly followed. Then put your wartime wisdom to the test with our Home Front quizzes.

Chat to a costumed interpreter enacting a wartime character – you could meet a Forties housewife, a member of the Home Guard, an ARP Warden or a Bomb Disposal Officer. Find out more about their exciting and dangerous war work and day-to-day Home Front life.

Visit the children’s dressing up station and try on mini-wartime outfits and uniforms. Choose from ARP, Home Guard and civilian outfits and see which suits you best!

Get hands-on with thrifty ‘Make Do and Mend’ craft activities and see a recreated ‘Dig for Victory’ allotment, bursting with ‘vegetables’ to keep Britain healthy during wartime.

www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

JLS, Grease and Showaddywaddy Headline Airbourne Evening Entertainment

Visitors to Eastbourne International Airshow can look forward to a real musical showcase of evening entertainment with Bandstand concerts, movie screenings and firework spectaculars extending Airbourne into the night.When the flying comes to an end, visitors can still enjoy the buzz of the airshow excitement into the evening with Bandstand concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including tribute and Big Band.

Friday promises an extended schedule of flying with the Red Arrows headlining an evening programme at 7pm, while Saturday promises a Night at the Movies with Grease being shown on a giant screen, and the dazzling firework finale rounds off the four day extravaganza on Sunday night.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “The evening entertainment at Airbourne creates a real festival feeling in Eastbourne with lots for visitors of all ages to enjoy during the day and on into the evening. The Airbourne Bandstand concerts offer something totally different this year with two brand new tribute nights to JLS and Showaddywaddy, something for all generations! With Saturday Night at the Movies promising a great big screen experience too with a free beachside film showing, I hope we see lots of visitors extend their day out at Airbourne long into the evening!”

Kicking off the evening entertainment on Thursday evening is Big Band Night with Swingshift performing all the hits from this memorable era.

Friday night promises extended flying until 8pm with displays from the Belgian F16, Matadors Team, Hawker Hurricane, Blades and Red Arrows performing a dusk flying display before a JLS tribute act take to the stage at the Bandstand performing some of today’s most popular hits.

Saturday promises a step back in time to the 60s and 70s with one of the world’s best loved musicals Grease being shown on a big screen on the Western Lawns at 6pm, and a Showaddywaddy tribute concert at the Bandstand at 8pm for a rock ‘n’ roll night.

Sunday promises a firework display to take visitors’ breaths away as a fitting end to the thrilling four day event with a colourful display of pyrotechnics launched from Eastbourne Pier at 10pm.

Tickets for all Bandstand concerts are on sale now from the Seafront Office, next to the Bandstand, or by calling 01323 410611. Visitors can also book exclusive seating to watch the firework final for just £2 from the Seafront Office.

For more information on the evening entertainment at Airbourne 2011 visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

Official Airbourne Souvenir Programme on Sale Now

Eastbourne is getting ready for the biggest event of the year next week with Airbourne flying into town from 11-14 August and airshow fans are being invited to join the final countdown with the official souvenir programme on sale now.Visitors to Eastbourne International Airshow, which gets underway next Thursday, can enjoy an early preview of the thrilling flying displays, arena action, and packed programme of evening entertainment with the official 2011 souvenir programme hitting news shelves around the town.

Hundreds of pre-orders have already been taken online for this year’s programme and now eager fans can get their hands on a copy from businesses and newsagents in and around Eastbourne.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “I can’t believe that Airbourne is now only a week away and this year’s show certainly promises to be action-packed from start to finish, with new attractions joining old favourites. The souvenir programme is a brilliant way to get an insider’s guide to all the flying displays and to start planning your visit to the event next week. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the many businesses around the town who are helping us to sell the programme this year and spread the Airbourne brand as far and wide as possible!”

This year’s programme promises a double page of discount vouchers for Airbourne visitors to redeem at local attractions as well as two competitions, including the chance to win a season ticket for Eastbourne Town FC. Programme buyers will also be able to receive up to the minute flying times each day.

Available at more outlets across the town than ever before, there is no excuse for airshow fans to miss out on grabbing their copy. Priced at just £3, the programme is available to buy now from the Tourist Information Centre, Seafront Office, online from www.visiteastbourne.com and at a wide range of independent newsagents and outlets in Eastbourne.

Programme sellers will also be located around Eastbourne from Monday 8 August. With official Airbourne radio headsets available to purchase offering the chance for visitors to listen to the official airshow radio station on 87.7FM from Monday, visitors can buy both a programme and radio headset for just £5 and enjoy the ultimate guide to Airbourne on the go.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 or to order a copy of the programme online visit www.visiteastbourne.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Hairbourne Comes to Airbourne

Visitors to Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow are invited to go ‘Hairbourne’ next week with celebrity hairdresser Jal Clarke cutting hair for donations and attempting to set a new World Record.The owner of Icon Stylists in Eastbourne is extending the attractions and activities on the ground at Airbourne when it returns to the seafront next week from 11-14 August.

Throughout the four days, visitors will be able to have their hair cut in return for donations towards the future of the airshow and the Eastbourne RNLI, as well as watch the celebrity hairdresser try to set a new Guinness World Record for the highest number of haircuts in one hour.

With the Eastbourne Hospitality Association (EHA) already organising a retiring collection of visitor donations towards Airbourne and their chosen charity for 2011, the Eastbourne RNLI, Jal’s Hairbourne initiative comes as a further boost.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “We are very excited to welcome Jal Clarke and his team from Icon Stylists to Airbourne and offer a unique setting for a haircut! With a packed programme of flying displays and arena attractions ready to entertain the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected over the free four day event, Hairbourne, which will be located at the foot of the Wish Tower Slopes, will offer something a little different! I hope that visitors take the opportunity to support Airbourne in this novel way by enjoying a haircut and contributing towards the future of this world famous event all at the same time.”

Jal will attempt the new World Record on the Saturday of Airbourne and visitors are also invited to watch local group The Sea Gypsies modelling new hairstyles before performing their dance act.

The hairdressing fun will continue through to Sunday too with visitors invited to enter a prize draw for the chance to play Jal’s version of The Generation Game. Contestants will watch an Icon stylist create a hair-up style and will then have to try their best to copy it on a volunteer, with the overall winner receiving a full makeover courtesy of Icon Stylists.

Jal Clarke said “It’s a privilege for Icon Stylists to be appearing at such a great show as Airbourne. We are glad to help raise money and awareness to the importance of local events that Eastbourne Borough Council strives to achieve for the future in Eastbourne. Year after year, 24-7, don’t they do it well?”

Other highlights coming up at Airbourne next week include a top flight of flying displays including the iconic Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers and new for 2011, displays from the Royal Navy Black Cats and Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display Team.

The Marines Unarmed Combat team are set to make a welcome return to the arena displays, alongside the popular Essex Dog Display Team and RAF College Band, with a special ground visit by the Red Arrows scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

With concerts at the Bandstand on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, a big screen showing of Grease, and a firework finale, the airshow experience will continue through to the evenings on all four days.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031.

CROWD CELEBR-ATES DEBUT AIRSHOW

A capacity crowd proved to be one of the stars of the show at a hugely-successful air display held at Scotland’s National Museum of Flight on Saturday (July 23).

This was the first year that the annual summer airshow, at East Fortune, south east of Edinburgh, had been organised by Air Tattoo Event Services (ATES), the air display arm of the Royal International Air Tattoo based at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, home of the world’s largest military airshow.
And the ATES show, which took place in glorious sunshine went down a storm with the 12-000-strong crowd that flocked to the airfield.

ATES Display Director Norman Webster said: “I’ve never seen a more appreciative or enthusiastic audience at any flying display in the UK. The shouts and cheers as the Skyraider and Bronco flew past, and the whole crowd standing up and waving as the Sea King departed are things I will carry with me for a long time – it was truly a joy to present a display to such a stunning crowd.”

Stars of the show including the UHIH “Huey” helicopter, the DH-2, de Havilland’s first world war biplane, the de Havilland Dragon biplane airliner from the 1930s, and the North American OV-10 Bronco, making is debut display in Scotland.

Alongside the air display, the Museum of Flight was open to visitors while sideshows and arena acts also did their bit in keeping audiences amused.

Norm concluded: “It was excellent, really good. The weather was brilliant, and there were so many people there that the airshow nearly ran out of parking spaces. And the audience reaction certainly bodes well for the future, with our second ATES display taking place on July 29, 2012, when we hope it will be even bigger and better.”