Posted by Flightline UK on 19/11/2007 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events | 
A cheque for £150,000 will be presented to Air Commodore Ed Jarron Secretary General of the Royal Air Forces Association at a presentation on December 4th. Presenting the cheque will be Don Bean MBE Air Show Organiser and Geoff Smith Wings Appeal Officer from the Shoreham Branch of the RAFA.
Other donations have been made to the memory of Brian Brown the pilot who lost his life at this year’s event and to the Sussex Wing of the Air Cadets who have supported us so well over the years.
Don Bean said “It was an outstanding year for us and although the tragic incident happened it was a record year both in attendance and money raised from the two day’s.”
Plans are already being made for the 2008 event and it is hoped that there will be several new displays including more from Europe following the appearance of the B25 Mitchell from Holland this year. A fitting tribute will also be included to Brian Brown during the Spitfire and Hurricane scramble which will make a welcome return.
“We could not have achieved this sum had it not been for the efforts of the Air Show Committee and their supporters – the staff of Shoreham Airport and the public who attend the event,” said John Periam Press Officer.
The 2008 event will be held on August 30th and 31st.
Posted by Flightline UK on 13/11/2007 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events |
Dunsfold Park Ltd are pleased to announce it’s most successful Wings & Wheels event to date with nearly £40,000 raised going to six deserving local charities.
Those benefiting from the funds are The Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, Save the Royal Surrey Hospital Campaign, CHASE Hospice Care for Children, Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, Brooklands Museum Trust and Surrey Community Foundation.
The three and a half hour flying displays, which included the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment’s Parachute Display Team and a breath taking wing walking display, were enjoyed by over 14,000 visitors.
Jamie McAllister, Dunsfold Park Ltd comments: “Wings & Wheels 2007 has been Dunsfold Park’s most successful event to date. We have been overwhelmed and delighted by the positive feedback and generosity of the local community in helping us to raise nearly £40,000 for worthy local causes.
We would like to apologise again to those caught up in the unforeseen traffic congestion and stress that we have not only identified the causes but will be rectifying them for future events. Moving forward we are confident we can build on the success of Wings & Wheels over the last three years and raise even more funds for deserving local charities in 2008.”
Posted by Flightline UK on under Military Airshows |
BBC’s Children in Need was given a significant boost after a listener to Terry Wogan’s Breakfast Show bid more than £17,000 for a VIP trip to next summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo.
The Battle of Britain themed package was offered as part of the Air Tattoo’s planned celebrations marking the 90th 
anniversary of the Royal Air Force. The two-night package, which included a private tour of the underground Battle of Britain Ops Room at RAF Uxbridge plus a trip to the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, attracted a bid of £17,500 from a female listener in Cheshire.
The winning bidder and her guest will enjoy lunch in the Officers’ Mess at RAF Coningsby and a private tour of the BBMF’s historic aircraft before flying to the Air Tattoo on board an historic RAF Dakota aircraft to sample all the excitement of Europe’s largest airshow from the best seats in the house.
During their visit to RAF Fairford, they will join Sir Terry for lunch in the exclusive Patron’s Pavilion, attend the prestigious Air Tattoo Gala Dinner, enjoy two nights’ stay at one of the finest hotels in the Cotswolds and meet the legendary Red Arrows
Posted by Flightline UK on 04/11/2007 under Aerobatics and Competitions, Red Bull Air Race |
American Mike Mangold (Team Cobra) snatched the 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series championship from Britain’s Paul Bonhomme (Team Matador) today after the closest fought title race in the competition’s 4 year history. Mangold, the 2005 champion, came third in Perth putting him on 47 points for the season, equalling Bonhomme’s points total. The Brit finished a disappointing fifth in the last race of the season – his worst result this year and the first time the usually consistent Bonhomme has failed to get on the podium in 2007.
52-year-old Californian Mangold took the title thanks to better results in elimination rounds after both pilots had exactly the same number of podium places this season. Hungary’s Peter Besenyei (Team Red Bull) took third place in the 2007 standings.
The dramatic end of season showdown was witnessed by more than 200,000 excited fans who lined the banks of the Swan River to watch Nicolas Ivanoff (France/M.R.T.) take advantage of Bonhomme and Mangold’s apparent nerves to take his first victory of the season. In a race which didn’t go to form at all, America’s Mike Goulian took second place on the podium.
There was consolation for the Brits who took first place in the overall team competition. Team Matador, made up of Bonhomme and fellow Brit Steve Jones, took the team championship with 64 points.
“I’m incredibly happy,” said Mangold. “The title landed in my lap at the last minute. I really wasn’t expecting it. It was a long and extremely difficult year. We had some problems during the course of the season, but the team didn’t stick its head in the sand. We worked hard on becoming successful again.”
Bonhomme, who received thunderous applause from the crowd, was magnanimous in defeat. “It was a constant battle with Mike all season and at the end of the day he was the luckier pilot. It could hardly be any closer than that. It’s incredible. But it’s now time to do some serious celebration.”
The aerial battle through air pylons set up on a slalom course just metres above the surface of the Swan River in the Western Australia city saw the pilots hit speeds of up to 400 km/hour (250 mph) and forces of up to 10G.
For a full run down of the final championship standings and to watch Red Bull Air Race Video Highlight, please visit our Red Bull Air Race Section
Posted by Flightline UK on 02/11/2007 under Warbirds and Classic Jets |
Reports from the various internet forums indicate that the French based B-17 Flying Fortress “Pink Lady” has been grounded due to insurance costs. The increase in costs has been due to an EU ruling a couple of years ago that classed historic B-17 aircraft in the same category as a commercial 737 airliner. For historic aircraft which fly few hours and earn little income from airshow appearances this ruling is unjust and unfair. Two years ago, the UK based “Sally-B” remained grounded until extra funding came forward allowing her to complete the airshow season
Posted by Flightline UK on 01/11/2007 under Royal Air Force |
From airtattoo.com
Following the continued success of the annual hosting of the Royal International Air Tattoo and the vagaries of the prevailing weather conditions experienced this year, a comprehensive review of the ticketing arrangements for RIAT 2008 – which will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, is currently under review.
Our aim is to address all the important aspects concerning ticket pricing and public entry with a view to ensuring the safety of all attendees as well as improving traffic flows to and in and out of the public car parks.
It is hoped to finalise this review by mid-December, at which time, details will be posted. At this point, the option to purchase tickets for RIAT 2008 at the lower ‘early bird’ ticket price will be available on our website until the end of February 2008.
