Shoreham Airshow welcomes back some old friends and some new for two day event on August 30th-31st
Posted by Flightline UK on 25/03/2008 under Army Air Corps, Royal Air Force, Warbirds and Classic Jets | 
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Vulcan prepares to soar as supporters rise to challenge!
Posted by Flightline UK on 19/03/2008 under Warbirds and Classic Jets | Be the First to Comment
A major milestone has been reached as supporters continue rallying to the call to ensure that Vulcan XH558 is seen in the skies around the UK this summer. A campaign launched last month to bridge a funding gap created by the current economic conditions is proving successful. The Vulcan to the Sky Trust is announcing the start of the work to resume the remaining test flights to return the aircraft to air displays.
“The response we are receiving from our supporters to our appeal for funds to ensure we reach the air display season this year is very heartening, so much so that in the last few days, I have felt confident enough to authorise the commencement of preparations for the remaining test flights”, says Dr Robert Pleming, Chief Executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST). “Every week’s delay in starting this work was costing us money, so despite our need to keep on raising funds, it is the right thing to do.”
“Once again, our supporters are significantly exceeding our expectations”, continues Robert Pleming. “Thanks to their ongoing hard work and generosity I am delighted to announce that we have also received, from two major supporters, dedicated donations of £150,000 to specifically fund the Test Flight Programme. But the decision to proceed could only be made by trusting in our supporters that the fund-raising momentum will continue. We still need to maintain a donation income of at least £50,000 per month to make it to the airshow season. Once we make it to our first few airshows, we are convinced that we will see fund-raising momentum continue and sponsorship interest increase substantially.”
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust has the goal of ‘Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future’, and in particular bringing a spectacular part of British heritage to a new generation of young people.
More than £6million has been spent on returning Vulcan XH558 to flight, of which £2.7million has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The rest – the majority – has come from public donations, making XH558 truly ‘the people’s aircraft’. The result of which was that in October 2007 the Vulcan flew triumphantly for the first time in over fourteen years.
Donations should be sent to VTST, Bruntingthorpe Airfield, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5QS, or by ‘phone to 0116 247 8145, or online at www.vulcantothesky.com
Companies who want to take advantage of the valuable corporate sponsorship opportunities should contact Michael Trotter on 07803 141483.
RAF King Air 200 to join RAF solo displays for 2008
Posted by Flightline UK on 18/03/2008 under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force | Be the First to Comment
An RAF aircraft will be displayed to the public for the 1st time in this commemorative 90th anniversary year. The Beech King AirB200, the newest training aircraftin the RAF inventor, will be displayed at a number of venues throughout the summer.
The King Air is used as an advanced, multi engine pilot trainer by No 45(R) sqaudron, which is part of No 3 Flying Training School based at RAF Cranwell, in Lincolnshire. The aircraft is an ideal training platfrom for the new generation of multi-engine aircraft entering RAF service.
In addition to being novel and entertaining, the King Air display will give the public the opportunity to see this new aircraft that is playing an important role in training the RAF pilots of today and tomorrow.
Royal Air Force Colours to be presented at Royal International Air Tattoo
Posted by Flightline UK on under Royal Air Force | Be the First to Comment
It has been reported today on BFBS that as part of the Royal Air Force’s official 90th Anniversary celebrations, the Royal International Air Tattoo will host one of the real highlights of the celebrations. A special ceremony will be held at the tattoo will see the presentation of the Royal Air Force colours. It is expect the ceremony will take place on Friday 11th July during a 2.5 hour queit period in rehersals.
Farnborough International 2008 – Flying Display Regulations Update
Posted by Flightline UK on 16/03/2008 under Any other business | Be the First to Comment
Speaking at the recent DASC Pre-season Flying Display Symposium, the Farnborough Flying Display Director and former Typhoon Display pilot, John Turner, ran through some of the regulations for flying displays for the forthcoming Farnborough International.
The headline annoucement is that the standard display minima for displays has been reduced from 600ft to 500ft. This will without doubt please a lot of photographers! However, the restrictions for flying outside of the airfield, nicknames the “Farnborough Bowl” remain in place. This ensures that display aircraft do not fly over the built up areas of Farnborough, North Camp and Aldershot too low.
However, the organisers will be open to flexibility so if a pilots authorisations allows him to fly lower, the organisers may grant exemptions.
Restrictions are also placed on the length of display routines so as to keep all of the companies displaying their wares at the airshow equal exposure.
Large transports/airliners and V/STOL aircraft will be granted a 7 minute slot.
Fast Jets, military trainers, smaller transport and large helicopters will be granted a 6 minute slot
5 minute slots will be granted to all light aircraft and small helicopters
Flare Releases banned from UK Airshows
Posted by Flightline UK on under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows | Be the First to Comment
At the recent DASC Pre-season flying display symposium, it was announced that all flare releases have been outlawed. This decision was made as the manufacturers of the flare systems could not be certain that no debris would reach the ground following release. Any such debris could prove to be harzardous to persons and aircraft below.
Some of the most prominant users of flares at airshow have been written to by the UK MoD asking them not to employ flares at UK shows. At the symposium, it was also confirmed that this regulation affected the coastal airshows as well as those held over airfields.
Vulcan to fly again soon? – UPDATE
Posted by Flightline UK on 14/03/2008 under Warbirds and Classic Jets | Be the First to Comment
“Once again, our supporters are significantly exceeding our expectations”, continues Robert Pleming. “Thanks to their continuing generosity, I am delighted to announce that we have now sailed past our initial funding target of £150,000, largely due to two major donations. But the decision to proceed could only be made be made by trusting our supporters that this fund-raising momentum will continue, because we are still reliant on maintaining a donation income of at least £50,000 per month to make it to the airshow season. Once we make it to our first few airshows, we are convinced that we will see both fund-raising momentum and sponsorship interest increase substantially
Dr. R. Pleming, CE, VTST
Army Air Corps Displays 2008
Posted by Flightline UK on 13/03/2008 under Army Air Corps, Display Team News and Dates | Be the First to Comment
At the DASC Pre-season flying display symposium, a couple of changes to the Army Air Corps displays were annouced.
The first change concerns the Blue Eagles. For 2008 the team has been reduced to a single Lynx AH7 and a pair of Gazelle AH1s. This change has been put on to the team following the acceleration of the retirement programme for the Gazelle helicopter. A full season is planned.
The second announcement was the introduction of a solo Apache AH1 demonstration. This will be only offered to few events and will start with Cosford on the 1st June. The display will then appear at Biggin Hill, Waddington and RIAT. Further displays may be conducted if operational circumstances allow.
Vulcan to fly again soon?
Posted by Flightline UK on under Warbirds and Classic Jets | Be the First to Comment
At today’s DASC symposium, Dr Robert Pleming addressed the audience of display organisers and crews with an update on the project to bring Vulcan XH558 back on to the display circuit. Funding has now been achieved for the next stage of work for further flight tests to begin. Effectively, the £150,000 mark has been reached but efforts must continue to raise £50,000 a month for the next four months. In another development, it was revealed that 2Excel Aviation, the company behind the Blades display team, are now looking after the day to day negotiations and operations with display orgainsers on behalf of the Vulcan Operating Company.
RAF Red Arrows Display Dates 2008
Posted by Flightline UK on 10/03/2008 under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows | Be the First to Comment
The RAF Red Arrows display dates have been released. They confirm that the “reds” will be away from the UK for much of June for a tour of Canada and the United States. Other overseas trips include Sanicole in Belgium, a display off the coast of Monte Carlo and the Malta International Air Show.
European Airshow Council Convention 2008
Posted by Flightline UK on 06/03/2008 under Display Team News and Dates, European Airshow Council, Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows, Warbirds and Classic Jets | Be the First to Comment
From Thursday February 21st to Saturday February 23rd the European Airshow Council organized its 13th Annual Convention in Hasselt (Belgium). With 150 delegates representing 25 countries the airshow industries expresses its appreciation for EAC’s efforts in achieving its fundamental objective to promote excellence and safety at airshows.
During the annual EAC Convention all interested in the Airshow Industry, including Military and Civil Aviation Authorities, Performers, Organisers and National Aerobatic Team representatives as well as Commentators and Journalists gather in order to discus standards of excellence in the Airshow Industry. At the same time the EAC Convention offers excellent networking opportunities for all involved. With 150 delegates from across Europe and countries such as South-Africa, Qatar, Al-Ain, Jordan and USA the number of delegates increased with well over 40% since last year while the number of countries that was represented increased with about 25%. These numbers show the success and international character of EAC’s Convention.
The theme for this Convention was “Too many accidents in 2007 – How do we improve the safety of the Display Pilot?”. Under the expert chairmanship of Major General Des Barker (S-Africa) and Dr David Stevenson (UK) a lively pre-Convention Seminar was organised on Thursday afternoon. Through presentations and discussions various contributory factors to airshow accidents were touched upon.
Various speakers of the Seminar or the Convention elaborated upon factors that contributed to incidents and accidents such as Safety Briefings, Fatigue and Stress at an airshow, G-LOC during display, distraction of display pilots, displaying vintage aircrafts, the introduction of a new aerobatic aeroplane, uniform display regulations and the role of a Display Inspector. Not only have these factors been analysed based upon incidents and accidents that occurred over the past few years, through discussions and a forum session, in which all delegates participated, suggestions and recommendations were made for the future.
Several delegates recognised EAC’s leading role in setting, developing and updating Joint Aviation Authority Guidelines. In that respect delegates called upon EAC to continue making steady progress in its efforts of being recognised in this debate by European Union bodies. It is believed that such Joint Aviation Authority Guidelines can contribute to decreasing the number of incidents involved in Airshows.
During the traditional Aviation Dinner at AeroClub Sanicole on Friday evening the Red Bull Air Races (represented by Mr Heinz Möller) received the Paul Bowen Award, while Mr Jacques Bothelin (leader Breitling Jet Team) received the the chairman’s Trophy for his lifetime airshow achievements. Also awarded that evening were the prizes for the best publicity material by an organiser and by a performer, as judged by an international group of delegates!
This years EAC Convention brought skilled speakers and excellent presentations and has been very successful. The increasing number of delegates from across the Airshow Industry underlines the need of an international body that together with ICASS takes the lead in further improving the Airshow Industry. We already look forward to an exciting and safe 2008 airshow season.
“Question Time” for Air Tattoo Organisers
Posted by Flightline UK on under Military Airshows | Be the First to Comment
Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo staged a special Question Time at their headquarters in Fairford, Gloucestershire, where guests were invited to grill them on all aspects of the event – from aircraft participation to the price of hamburgers.
Aircraft enthusiasts, the media and the public were invited to the Stakeholders’ Forum, which was last held in 2005, to have their say about the world’s biggest military airshow. Around 80 guests from all over the country attended the event. Air Tattoo Director Tim Prince introduced the meeting with an overview of RIAT 2007 and a look ahead to this year’s event on July 12-13.
The mood was buoyant, with more than 90 minutes of questioning providing open discussion, with several attendees thanking the RIAT team for their efforts in organising the airshow. They also welcomed the announcement of the first aircraft to be confirmed for this summer’s airshow, from countries including Brazil, Pakistan, Canada, Hungary, Norway and Chile.
Among the subjects discussed was the timing of the flying display, the introduction of day-specific tickets, the ‘congested’ UK airshow calendar and the layout of aircraft around the showground. Members of the forum also praised the quality of the Air Tattoo‘s official DVD.
The meeting closed with a special offer, bids being invited for a complete set of Aircraft Illustrated from Vol 1 No 1 to the present, offered by FRIAT member Richard Andrews, a member of the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo with the money raised going to the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.
Mr Prince said: “The Air Tattoo has many stakeholders including the Royal Air Force, our sponsors, the local community and our parent charity and we are in regular dialogue with them to make sure we are meeting their needs. The Stakeholders’ Forum is a wonderful opportunity to bring together aircraft enthusiasts and the public and give them a platform to air their views about an event that is close to their hearts.
“We continually look for ways to improve what is already a wonderful event and listening to the views of our stakeholders is an important part of this process.”
Sywell Aviation Museum opens for 2008
Posted by Flightline UK on 04/03/2008 under Museums | Be the First to Comment
The award winning Sywell Aviation Museum at Sywell Aerodrome, Northants has its Grand Opening for 2008 on Easter Saturday, the 22nd March 2008 from 10.30am. Newly revamped displays and artefacts await including a new temporary exhibition on the Northamptonshire Home Guard. On the day of opening a collection of WW2 military vehicles will be attending and the Museum’s aircraft cockpits will be available for inspection!
Entry is free and donations are welcome – other attractions include the wonderful on site Art Deco bar and restaurant, free parking, aircraft viewing area, full disabled access throughout and a marvellous collection of artefacts, models and uniforms for all enjoy.
The museum remains open from 10.30-16.30 weekends and bank holidays until the end of September. Group visits can be arranged outside those hours by prior arrangement.
For more information please visit www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/museum.php email sywellaviationmuseum@gmail.com or call Ben Brown, Museum Secretary on 07968061708
RAF Display Pilot Reaches For Dizzy Heights
Posted by Flightline UK on 03/03/2008 under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force | Be the First to Comment
From the the RAF Website
Flight Lieutenant Stew Campbell, 28, who lives in Pocklington, will represent RAF Linton-on-Ouse flying the base’s Tucano aircraft at over 40 airshows, including the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford.Now – weather permitting -he is busy perfecting his aerobatic display which will include stomach churning ’6g’ manoeuvres; more than twice the force experienced on Lightwater Valley’s Twister roller-coaster ride.
In his day job, Flt Lt Campbell is an instructor with Linton’s Central Flying School. He says being nominated is a great honour adding “This is a very proud achievement for me and especially so to be given the chance to show what the Tucano is capable of at such an early stage in my career.”
For him the display season – which runs from May to October – will mean working up to six days a week. Monday to Friday teaching and the weekends spent up and down the country performing his dazzling display.
But he says he doesn’t mind the added work load. “Since I was six years old I always wanted to be a pilot. I used to go to airshows and watch the displays and remember thinking ‘I wish I could do that.’
“Now I’m in the fortunate position of being able to realise that dream and hope that any budding youngsters watching at the shows will find the same inspiration that I did.”
Flt Lt Campbell’s first public display will be at Duxford’s spring airshow on Sunday 18 May.
The Tucano is the RAF’s basic training aircraft. Of Brazilian design it has a top speed of 345 mph and is capable of aerobatics between +6 and -2.5g
Sponsor the World’s Biggest Seafront Airshow
Posted by Flightline UK on 01/03/2008 under Seaside Shows | Be the First to Comment
Airbourne, the biggest seafront airshow in the world, is offering major companies across the country an opportunity not to be missed.
Sponsors are invited for this popular aerobatic event with the chance to reach over 500,000 visitors. Eastbourne Borough Council are organising Airbourne and this week are sending out sponsorship packs to more than 750 organisations up and down the UK, as well as locally, to lure them to Eastbourne’s premier airshow in 2008.
Potential sponsors will receive a letter, copy of the 2007 Airbourne programme plus a detailed pack outlining the sponsorship opportunities available, including access to 500,000+ visitors, branding in 20,000 souvenir programmes, features in 50,000 pre-event promotional materials plus multimedia opportunities through the web and Radio Airbourne.
Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Steve Wallis said “Airbourne 2008 really is an opportunity not to be missed. Any company, however big or small, can get involved and promote their product to hundreds of thousands of people. Set on Eastbourne’s beautiful seafront location and attracting exciting flying displays year in year out, Airbourne is the main event on the south coast and I can’t wait to see the responses we receive.”
Potential Airbourne sponsors have been identified and are being offered the chance to sponsor the event in a variety of ways, from being named the event’s headline or title sponsor, to sponsoring individual flying displays.
Keen to secure sponsors as soon as possible, a special promotional DVD trailer is being made to follow up this initial sponsorship pack. This will use exclusive footage from Airbourne, including unseen cockpit footage, helmet-cam vantage points from the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, and unique aerial views of Eastbourne’s jam-packed coastline. Targeted companies will see for themselves the excellent opportunities presented by this event.
With trade space available for sponsors, as well as companies wishing to sell and exhibit from Eastbourne’s Western Lawns over the four day event, Airbourne presents an excellent opportunity for local businesses too, with the chance to increase brand awareness and promote the company locally.
Airbourne returns to Eastbourne this year from 14-17 August and promises four days of action-packed flying fun. Filling the skies with spectacular aerobatic displays, visitors can watch a vibrant mix of fast jets, helicopters, warbirds, historics and freefall parachutists.
If this isn’t enough the entertainment continues through to the evenings too, with a packed programme of events, including Big Band night and concerts at the Bandstand plus a spectacular and breathtaking firework finale on the Sunday night.
To find out more about sponsorship opportunities at this year’s Airbourne, email airbourne@eastbourne.gov.uk or telephone 01323 415442. For more information visit www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk
