Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Air Day at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose. The event, which will be held on Thursday 28th July 2016, has become a firm favourite in the Cornish calendar, and enables the general public to experience life on board of one of Europe’s largest helicopter bases. It is one of only three military air shows in the country.

Everyday life for Royal Navy Pilots could include hunting for enemy submarines in state-of-the art helicopters, simulating threats to ships in fast jets, transporting troops of Royal Marines Commandos or rescuing casualties from stricken vessels. Air Day enables budding fighter pilots and those who once dreamt of flying, to learn about this exciting ‘world of Culdrose’ and see what happens behind the security gates.

The organisers of this year’s event are working hard to make it a day to remember. As jets, helicopters and military aircraft zoom across the skies, visitors will be able to meet aircrew who have served on frontline squadrons all over the world, pilots who have just earned their ‘wings’ and those who use cutting edge technology to train future Naval Aviators.

The team at Culdrose has already lined up a variety of aerobatic teams and aircraft to woo the crowds with their dazzling displays and highly skilled manoeuvres. But as well as an exciting, action-packed flying display, there will also be lots of things to see, touch and try on the ground. Amongst other activities, visitors will be able to climb onboard aircraft, find out what it’s like to sit at the controls of a 15 tonne helicopter surrounded by the latest technology, take a pleasure flight, be winched high into the air or jump into the driving seat of a military fire engine. All of Culdrose’s Naval Air Squadrons and units will also be out on display, ready to talk about what they do and helping the public to try out specially devised activities and challenges.
Advance tickets at a reduced price (£15 for adults, £5 for children and £40 for families (2 adults and 3 children) are now on sale online (www.ticketzone.co.uk) and by phone (08444 99 99 55). Visitors can also purchase tickets at various Tourist Information Centres in Cornwall and the Gweek Seal Sanctuary.

Culdrose Air Day is great value for money and will be a thoroughly enjoyable day out for the whole family. Under 5’s are free and once inside, most attractions are free. For the first time, visitors can buy tickets to special enclosures one the crowd line this year. Visit www.culdroseairday.com from more information.

The Polish Air Force is the latest act to sign up to this year’s flying programme, meaning that RNAS Culdrose Air Day will have a truly international feel. The Polish display team will be showing off a MiG-29 – a modern fast jet which is sure to be a real crowd pleaser.

Commander Jason Phillips, who is in charge of flying at the Helston based Air Station said: “It is great that the Polish Air Force has signed up to display. Its team adds to an action packed flying programme which will last well over four hours. The public were really excited to see the MiG-29 on the ground at Culdrose Air Day last year, so we are very pleased to have it as part of the flying display for the first time this year. It is quite unusual to see it on the UK air display circuit, it is quite a unique fighter jet. Fast, furious, noisy and very manoeuvrable, I am sure that our visitors are going to love it!”

The MiG-29 will join the Italian Air Force’s ‘Frecce Tricolori’, (Italy’s version of the Red Arrows), and the Swiss Air Force F-18 who will also be flying on Thursday 30th July. They will be part of an all day flying programme which includes displays from the Breitling Wing Walkers, the Royal Navy Black Cats and the Blades. With fast jets and aerobatic display teams, historic aircraft and military helicopters taking part, the flying display for 2015 is sure to thrill visitors.

Display organiser, Lieutenant Commander Steve Gamble explains: “The Polish, Italians and Swiss add to what is already looking to be a very exciting day of flying at Culdrose. We have some fantastic displays lined up; from aerobatic teams, to fast jets, historic war birds and military helicopters – there really is something for every aviation fan. We are also planning plenty to see and do on the ground too. We still have more flying acts to announce, so keep watching our website for details.”

As well as an exciting, action-packed flying display, there will also be lots of things to see, touch and experience on the ground. Visitors can climb onboard aircraft, take a ride in a helicopter, be winched high into the air or jump into the driving seat of a military fire engine. The Culdrose Naval Air Squadrons and units will be on display ready to talk about what they do and explain how their aircraft are deployed and used around the world.

More information about the event, tickets and a list of display aircraft is available at www.culdroseairday.com

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose is pleased to announce the date for ‘Air Day’ 2015 – Thursday 30th July.

The annual event, which has become a firm favourite on the Cornish Event Calendar, enables the general public to experience the sights and sounds ‘onboard’ one of the Royal Navy’s helicopter bases, whilst seeing breathtaking flying displays in the skies. It’s the only day of the year when the public can ‘experience the world of Culdrose’ and see what happens behind the security gates.

The Commanding Officer of Culdrose, Captain Mark Garratt said: “Air Day 2014 was a fantastic event, with a record numbers of visitors attending from across Cornwall and beyond. Now that we have set the date for 2015, my team will start to book aircraft for the Air Display and military acts for the arena. We will work hard to make it another day to remember and hope to have some very special visitors in the air and on the ground.”

Captain Mark added: “Our Air Day is quite different from the other Air Shows across the United Kingdom. As one of the few events held within a military establishment, it is often the only opportunity for non-military personnel to come into our world and find out about life in the Armed Forces. It is a day when we invite the general public to meet those serving on frontline Squadrons, learn about our outstanding training facilities, get close to our aircraft and learn about the Operations that we are involved in across the World.”

A list of aircraft participating in the event will be announced next year, however Captain Mark confirmed that: “The Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm will be attending in force to demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of maritime helicopters including the Lynx, the new Merlin and the Sea King. The nimble Hawks of 736 Naval Air Squadron will show off their agility and speed and it will be the last Air Day that the Search and Rescue Sea Kings of 771 Naval Air Squadron will perform. We are also hoping to welcome fast jets, aerobatic display teams, historic jets and veteran aircraft, in particular the Royal Navy Historic Flight.”

Tickets for the event will be on sale in the New Year. More information about the event and a list of display aircraft will be available soon at www.culdroseairday.com.

The world’s only airworthy Canberra PR9 (XH134), along with her display partner Hunter XL577, will be joined by Hunter WV372 in a unique display at the RNAS Culdrose Air Day tomorrow, Thursday 31st July 2014.

Marking a new phase in the development of the Midair Squadron, this display will give the Cornwall crowds a taste of what is to come in the much-anticipated three ship display of the Midair Squadron.

Midair Squadron owner, Mike Davis, comments: “To fly the Midair Squadron alongside WV372 is a brilliant insight into the highly awaited and inimitable display formation on the air show circuit. Our second Hunter, XL600, continues to go through a thorough maintenance programme, and due to the unprecedented booking schedule for the Squadron’s Canberra and Hunter, it has taken slightly longer than initially projected. The sight of all three liveried Midair Squadron aircraft will be a spectacular sight and XL600 will be flown in formation shortly.”

The next scheduled display of the Midair Squadron will be next week at Festival of Flight, in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, where the Canberra and her counterparts will also overfly the Ulster Aviation Society’s collection, featuring XH134’s sister, at Long Kesh.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/where-we-are/air-stations/rnas-culdrose/air-day-2013

Aircraft from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have kicked off their flying display season by visiting Lincoln at weekend for the RAF Waddington International Air Show.

A Merlin MK2, from 824 Naval Air Squadron performed in the air for the first time in a public arena. Also on the ground for a static display, was a Merlin MK2 from 814 Naval Air Squadron (the Flying Tigers), a Beechcraft Avenger T1 from 750 Naval Air Squadron and a Sea King ASaC Mk7 from 849 Naval Air Squadron.

Aircraft from Fleet Air Arm, past and present, will also be present at a variety of other air shows throughout the display season and the general public will also get an opportunity to see the Navy’s aircraft on their home tuft at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose’s Air Day on Thursday 31st July 2014.

Air shows that Culdrose aircraft will display at include:

• Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford
• Farnborough Air Show
• Sunderland Air Show
• RNAS Yeovilton Air Day
• Blackpool Sea Front Air Display
• Dawlish Air Show
• Bournemouth Air Festival
• Jersey Air Display
• Lands End Air Sea Rescue Day
• Dartmouth Royal Regatta
• Prestwick World Festival of Flight
• Duxford Air Show
• Southport Air Show

Culdrose’s Air Day on Thursday 31st July promises to fill the skies of Cornwall with magnificent sights and sounds from across the world of aviation, both past and present. From high above the Air Station, down to mere feet above the runway, there will be gravity defying displays that Culdrose Air Day is famous for.

Commander Peter Munro-Lott, Commander Air at Culdrose or ‘Wings; as he is known at the Cornish Naval Air Station said: “This year we have a fantastic air display with over four hours of flying planned. The highlight of the show for many will be the return of the mighty Vulcan, which will fill the skies with its massive delta wing and thunderous noise. We also have aerobatic display teams, and a variety of other historic jets visiting, such as the Canberra, Hunter and the supersonic Sea Vixen. Of course no Air Day at Culdrose would be complete without the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm attending in force. Demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of maritime helicopters, the Lynx, Merlin and Sea Kings will be put through their paces, while the nimble Hawks of 736 Naval Air Squadron will show off their agility and speed.”

Advance tickets at a reduced price (£14 for adults, £5 for children and £35 for families – children under 5 are free) are now on sale online (www.ticketzone.co.uk), by phone (08444 99 99 55) and over the counter through the following outlets:

• Bodmin Visit Information Centre
• Fal River Tourist Information Centre
• Hayle Tourist Information Centre
• Liskeard Information Centre
• Lostwithiel Tourist Information Centre
• Newquay Tourist Information Centre
• Padstow Tourist Information Centre
• Perranporth Information Centre
• Plymouth (Barbican) Tourist Information Centre
• St Austell Tourist Information Centre
• St Ives Visit & Information Centre
• Truro Information Centre
• Helston Community Centre
• Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek
• Heathercraft, Helston
• Pictures and Things, Helston

All advance ticket holders will automatically enter into a prize draw and the owner of the ticket number picked at random, will get the chance to visit the Royal Navy’s Sea King Simulator and take the controls of a helicopter similar to those currently serving overseas. The multi-million pound, state-of the-art Simulator is used to train aircrew for their overseas deployments and is not usually open to members of the public – this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

*One ticket holder plus one guest only will be allowed entry to the simulator and at least one person must be aged 18 years, or over. See www.culdroseairday.com for more details.