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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.

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.

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.”

Thousands of visitors enjoyed a spectacular day of flying and forties nostalgia at the first day of the Flying Legends weekend, on Saturday 9 July.

The Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Lindy Hoppers danced up a storm on the Hangar Base, teaching visitors how to dance the ‘Lambeth Walk’.Living history groups brought the Second World War to life at Duxford’s historic airfield. Ops 1939-45 represented Battle of Britain-era pilots and ground crew and re-enacted Bomber Briefings, giving visitors a taste of the preparations for Bomber Command raids during the Second World War.

The 42nd Field Hospital portrayed US Army medical personnel from the Second World War, while the Screaming Eagles Living History Group represented servicemen who served with the 101st US Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Batallion, Easy Company during the Second World War.

A stunning aerial display commenced with seven Spitfires alongside a Hurricane and three Hispano HA-1112 MIL Bouchon aircraft in celebration of the aircraft of the Battle of Britain. This was followed by a display of US Navy aircraft, comprising a rare appearance by three Skyraiders, a Bearcat and a Corsair. B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B flew escorted by her ‘little friends’, six P-51 Mustangs. Two DH-84 aircraft, including the debut appearance by Aer Lingus’Iolar aircraft, flew alongside a de Havilland Dragon Rapide. The legendary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster performed a majestic display, followed by the Fokker tri-plane. The German Luftwaffe were represented by a Junkers ju52 and a Jungmeister, and were followed by a display of Curtiss aircraft, comprising a P36 Hawk 74 and three P-40 aircraft.

A stunning display of Hawker bi-planes featured two Nimrods, a Hind and a Demon breezing around the Duxford skies. The heritage of the Royal Navy was represented by three Sea Fury aircraft and the Royal Naval Historic Flight’s Swordfish.

In their first appearance in the UK, and at Flying Legends, the Flying Bulls’ P-38 Lightning and F4U-4 Corsair wowed the packed crowds. In homage to the aircraft of the First World War, a Fokker dr1 and Nieuport 17 took to the skies. This was followed by a display by an Ms 406 accompanied by a Yak 9; two Dakota DC3s and the grand finale which is the traditional Balbo, comprising an encore display by many of the aircraft which presented such a stunning flying performance.

Flying Legends proved yet again why it is one of the world’s finest warbird air shows.

16-17 July 2011

Tickets available in advance or on the gate

Flypast 2.35pm on Saturday 16th July (subject to weather and operational requirements)

Visitors at the Large Model Aircraft Rally, taking place at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 16-17 July, will be treated to a flying display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster - scheduled for 2.35pm on the Saturday (subject to weather and operational requirements).

This famous air show in miniature is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast. Last year the show attracted in excess of 12,000 visitors over the weekend, with hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft taking to the skies during the two-day event.

The main theme of this year’s show will be the 75th Anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire. Taking place twice each day, there will be a mass Spitfire scramble consisting of 15 models - possibly the largest number of model Spitfires flying together ever seen at a model air show.

Last year saw a large scale model Vulcan and Victor flying together for the first time in formation. This year all three of Britain’s V-Bombers; Vulcan, Victor and Valiant will be flying together in model form, in an exclusive for Cosford.

During the course of the show there will be a display of aircraft from both World Wars including the largest ever formation of the Dawn Patrol WWI fighter team, approximately two waves of 20 aircraft each including air combats within the display. In addition to this, several WWII Fighter and Bomber display teams will be performing.

Chairman of the Large Model Association, Dave Johnson says:

“At present we already have over 150 aircraft booked in and we’re still counting, so it’s sure to be a real busy display as always. Many of the aircraft on display cannot be seen flying in full size form anymore, so a real pull for aircraft enthusiasts everywhere.”

Events and activities on the airfield include trade stands selling modelling and non-modelling related items, food stalls, and access to the RAF Museum and full size aircraft displays, plus there will be a fun fair to keep the youngsters entertained throughout the day.

Large Model Association organisers are hoping this year’s event will prove just as popular and are now offering the chance to beat the rush and buy tickets early on at a discounted rate. Advance tickets for the Large Model Aircraft Rally at the RAF Museum Cosford are priced at just £9 for adults, £5 for children and £7 for senior citizens with a family ticket of 2 adults and up to 2 children retailing at £20, saving £5 on the gate price. Gates open at 8.30am.

On site camping including entrance to the show is only £45.00 for the weekend when booked in advance. Contact Dave Bailey for more details on camping at dave.bailey08@tiscali.co.uk or call 07827 675665.

For further information on how to purchase advance tickets and for on the gate prices, please call the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford on 01902 376200 or visit the Museum website at www.rafmuseum.org.

Visitors to Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow are being invited to vote now for Saturday Night at the Movies with a choice of 12 films to be shown on a giant beachside screen on the Western Lawns during the spectacular summer event.Brand new for 2011 Airbourne TV is coming to Eastbourne from 11-14 August for the four day flying extravaganza providing a fully produced and interactive show of the event on three big screens along the seafront and one in the town centre.

With Eastbourne already hosting a successful big screen broadcast of the Royal Wedding and a screening of opera Tosca live from Valencia earlier this year, the Saturday evening of Airbourne promises another big screen event with the chance for visitors to vote for the film they’d like to see.

Starting this week, airshow fans, residents and visitors are being invited to vote for a choice of 12 films through the Airbourne and VisitEastbourne pages on facebook. The film shortlist includes musicals Grease, Hard Day’s Night and The Sound of Music, family favourites Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Jungle Book and Monsters Inc, and popular titles such as The Aviator, Airplane, Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Back to the Future.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “Saturday Night at the Movies promises to be another fantastic new addition to this year’s Airbourne extending the brilliant airshow atmosphere into the evening and bringing visitors together for a giant film screening. I hope that as many people as possible take the opportunity to vote for their favourite movie from our shortlist and join us on Saturday 13 August for a magnificent free seaside film showing.”

Airbourne TV will offer visitors the chance to interact with Airbourne throughout the four days, including live streaming, pilot interviews and text to screen. It will also offer businesses the opportunity to promote themselves to the huge footfall that the event attracts with advertising spots available, contact Big Bear Events for details of packages on 0845 652 5586.

Other highlights coming up at Airbourne 2011 include a top flight of flying displays including the 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 will make a welcome return to the arena displays, joining the popular Essex Dog Display Team and RAF College Band, while the RAF Exhibition and trade stands will offer plenty to keep visitors entertained on the ground.

For more information on Airbourne 2011 and to vote for Saturday Night at the Movies go to www.facebook.com/airbourneeastbourne or www.eastbourneairshow.com. The vote will close at midday on Friday 15 July.

The iconic Red Arrows will lead a packed programme of Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, British Army and civilian aircraft at the world renowned Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow this summer.

At an exclusive launch event today, organisers of the free flying spectacular announced the bumper line up of displays ready to entertain hundreds of thousands of visitors this August, including crowd favourite the Red Arrows as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers and many more.Local businesses and airshow partners were invited to enjoy a mini preview of Airbourne, including a solo wingwalk, Spitfire and RV8tors displays, before finding out the full flying programme that sees new for 2011, displays from the Royal Navy Black Cats and Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display Team.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Neil Stanley said “What a fantastic year we have coming up at Airbourne with a real variety of flying displays sure to be a hit with the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the event every year. We are delighted to welcome to the show displays from the Royal Navy who have been missed for the past couple of years, as well as celebrate the best of the RAF with displays by the Tucano, Tutor, Hawk, Tornado and of course, the magnificent Red Arrows who will zoom through the skies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With a few more displays still being finalised, Airbourne fans are certainly in for a treat this summer!

“We are also very pleased to be joined by the Eastbourne Hospitality Association today, who will again be carrying out the retiring collection, with donations going towards their chosen charity, the RNLI, as well as the future of Airbourne. Now in its 19th year, the success of Airbourne does depend heavily on being able to secure sponsors and I hope that by releasing such a fantastic flying programme, we may attract some last minute interest from businesses keen to be associated with this high profile event and use it to reach a huge footfall of potential customers in August.”

Also included on the bill for Airbourne 2011 are the impressive Blades who will return with fast paced displays in their high-performance piston aircraft, dazzling displays from the Breitling Wingwalkers, the impressive Belgian F16, Hangar 11 Warbirds, RV8tors, and the British Army Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Tigers Parachute Display Team.

With Airbourne also promising plenty of action on the ground, including the Marines Unarmed Combat team in the arena, Come Fly With Me on Friday evening with night time flying to a band performance, evening concerts at the Bandstand and a firework finale, visitors have lots to look forward to at the free event later this summer.

Another first for 2011 will see four big screens in town for the show and the launch of Airbourne TV. This will be provided by Big Bear Events and Fonix and will give visitors the opportunity to see displays on screen up close, and to interact with the show through live streaming and text to screen. Airbourne TV will also provide great opportunities for businesses to promote themselves to event visitors and coupled with the always popular Radio Airbourne, this year’s show will become truly multi-media.

For more information on the flying displays, or to find out about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031. Airbourne enthusiasts can pre-order the official 2011 souvenir programme and book for exclusive seating tickets at Eastbourne Bandstand now at www.visiteastbourne.com.

Visitors are being invited to book early to guarantee the best views of the flying displays at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow with exclusive seating on sale now at Eastbourne Bandstand.This summer the town’s iconic seafront landmark is offering visitors the chance to book their own seat for the day and enjoy uninterrupted views of the flying line as a packed programme of displays perform in the seafront skies.

Airbourne returns to Eastbourne seafront from 11-14 August and with exclusive seating always popular with the hundreds of thousands of visitors, airshow enthusiasts are being encouraged to book quickly for the best seats on the seafront.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Exclusive seating at Eastbourne Bandstand is a fantastic way for visitors to settle down for the day and take in the magnificent flying displays overhead. With lots to take in on the ground too, visitors can return to the Bandstand throughout the day knowing they have their own seat go to back to. I’m sure the exclusive seating will prove a hit again this year, especially with such a packed four days of flying coming up in August!”

Airbourne visitors can book now for exclusive seating for just £12 per adult or £7 per child for the day and choose from the promenade deck or upper balcony.

This year visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy the exclusive seating into the evening with the Bandstand opening on the Sunday evening with the chance to watch the spectacular firework finale from the historic venue. Visitors should keep checking the Bandstand website for more details and how to book tickets.

For more information on Airbourne 2011, including the flying line up which will be announced later this week, go to www.eastbourneairshow.com or call 0871 663 0031. Exclusive seating can be booked online from www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk or by calling 01323 410611.

Imperial War Museum Duxford has today launched an innovative and exciting Smartphone Application for the 2011 air show season.

The Duxford Air Shows 2011 App is now available for download from the Apple store and Android marketplace.

The App provides a dynamic on-the-day flying schedule for each of the Museum’s famous air shows, which automatically updates the phone screen with details of each aircraft taking part in the show as its display commences.

It also provides an extensive library of photography, statistics and information about over 150 classic aircraft, some of which can be seen flying in the Duxford air shows, and where in the Museum’s exhibitions you can find out more about them.

App users can keep a log of their favourite aircraft, add them to a schedule and receive a live countdown to inform them when that aircraft will take to the skies. With a map highlighting useful amenities at the Museum, the App is an indispensible tool for ensuring maximum enjoyment of Duxford’s celebrated air shows.

Duxford’s first air show of 2011 is the Spring Air Show on Sunday 22 May.

Whether you are in the audience at Duxford eagerly awaiting the first aircraft display or are virtually engaging with the air show from elsewhere in the world, the Air Show App will keep you informed of all aircraft displays as they happen.

As a special introduction, the App is FREE for a limited time. It can be downloaded at any time in the run up to the Spring Air Show and on the day itself. IWM Duxford is providing wifi access at the Museum to help people download on the day.

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

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

Visitors to Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow have the chance to book now for the new and improved Aviator Club hospitality marquee offering uninterrupted views directly on the flying line.

The popular seafront airshow returns to the UK’s sunniest place from 11-14 August and promises dynamic flying displays from fast jets to historic aircraft, and from freefall parachutists to international planes.

New for 2011, organisers are moving its popular Aviator Club to a better position directly on the flying line and will be offering guests exclusive chalets with two tables of eight in each.

Eastbourne Borough Council Events Manager Mike Marchant said “We are very excited to launch the 2011 Aviator Club packages and really kick off the countdown to this year’s Airbourne. Our new Aviator Club packages provide the ultimate way to soak in the fantastic Airbourne atmosphere while enjoying unrivalled views of the flying displays and the packages really are a must for airshow fans.

“Boasting a new smaller chalet arrangement this year, the Aviator Club will also offer a unique and private venue for wining and dining business clients and I hope we see many Eastbourne businesses taking advantage of this fantastic event on their doorstep.”

Guests can book now for the Aviator Club from just £60+VAT per person and look forward to a first class day out in August enjoying coffee and home made cookies and biscuits on arrival, champagne, two-course summer lunch and an afternoon strawberry cream tea. Guests will also receive a copy of the official airshow programme and have access to a private Aviator Club bar. Those who book before 30 April will also receive a 15% discount for the Thursday of Airbourne.

For more information on Airbourne 2011, to book a place in the Aviator Club, or to find out about other ways to support the event including sponsorship and advertising opportunities, visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 01323 415442.