Posted by Flightline UK on 28/04/2011 under Display Team News and Dates | 
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The Royal Netherlands Air Force has withdrawn it’s F-16 from a number of events including Yeovilton, Sunderland and Bournemouth according to their display calendar - http://www.f16demoteam.nl/pages/calendar.php
Posted by Flightline UK on under Military Airshows | Be the First to Comment
A dramatic tiger-painted aircraft from the Belgian Air Force will be among a number of striking aircraft heading for this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo.
The Air Tattoo, which takes place at RAF Fairford on July 16-17, will feature a colourful range of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary this year.
Pic by Katsu Tokunaga
Links between the Air Tattoo and the NATO Tiger Association stretch back to 1977 when the airshow hosted the 17th official NATO Tiger Meet. This was an annual get-together first held in 1961 when the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the US Air Force sought links with another squadron bearing a tiger insignia, the French Air Force’s 1/12 Escadron de Chasse. In 1977, 12 ‘Tiger’ squadrons took part in the Air Tattoo and since then, the Air Tattoo has regularly welcomed many colourfully painted aircraft from the association. The Belgian Air Force will be sending two F-16s: the Tiger-painted one from 31 Squadron will be on static display while a second, from 349 Squadron, will take part in the flying display. Both are based at Kleine Brogel Air Base.
Other Tiger squadrons already confirmed for this summer’s Air Tattoo will come from France, Germany and Austria as well as RAF and Royal Navy aircraft.
In addition to hosting a gathering of Tiger aircraft, the Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and turning the spotlight on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance. Visitors on Sunday July 17 will also be able to enjoy a one-off lunchtime performance by X-Factor star Alexandra Burke.
Tickets for the Air Tattoo, priced from £39 each, are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
Posted by Flightline UK on 24/04/2011 under DVD Reviews | Be the First to Comment
RAF Leuchars Airshow 2010 DVD Cover
Produced by Planes TV; Available from PlanesTV.com priced DVD £16.99, Blu-Ray – £24.99
The RAF Leuchars Airshow is the final big RAF event of the display season, and the last RAF Battle of Britain Airshow left on the airshow calendar. It is also the biggest public airshow in Scotland. The 2010 event themed itself around the “RAF Air Defence: Past, Present and Future” and saw displays from a number of iconic RAF fighters as well as paying tribute to the Tornado F3 which was making it’s final appearance at an airshow before retirement in March 2011.
The show enjoyed mixed weather with early heavy rain clearing to leave beautiful cloud dappled skies making for some interesting filming conditions and some stunning vapours effects on some of the high performance types during the display.
Planes TV’s coverage is very comprehensive covering all of the displays. Like the Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow coverage, the DVD uses a mix of post recording voice-over and some live commentary direct from the event PA. This mix works really well conveying the atmosphere of the show.
There are many highlights to the DVD for all tastes. Personal highlights for your reviewer are the special formations of Spitfire, Typhoon and Tornado F3, the Royal Norwegian Air Force Historic Flight Vampire T55, the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight J29 Tunnan and SAAB 105 and the international flying participants.
Onboard footage comes from two Hunter displays – firstly a solo and then the first ever public display by Team Viper with their fourship Hunter display, both of which provide some stunning footage of Leuchars from the air and the beautiful landscape that surrounds it.
The main feature is concluded by the traditional RAF Leuchars Sunset Ceremony complete with Pipes and Drums! This was a particularly poignant ceremony marking the final flying display appearance of the Tornado F3 and the first by a 6(F) Squadron Typhoon – Leuchars newest residents.
Overall, this is a fantastic production for those that did attend, or those who didn’t though for out liking there’s not enough “behind-the-scenes” information or interviews.
Posted by Flightline UK on under DVD Reviews | Be the First to Comment
Best of Dawlish Air Show DVD Cover
Produced by Planes TV; Available from DawlishAirshow.co.uk priced DVD £12.99
Dawlish is one of the most unique seafront airshows of the annual season. This production looks back at some of the best displays from the last three editions of the show with narration from Andy Pawsey, the show’s commentator.
The stunning topography that surrounds Dawlish creates some superb photographic opportunities which Planes TV make full advantage of for their filming. Sequences following the Breitling Wingwalkers and the Red Arrows are particularly special looking down on the displays from the high vantage points as are the shots of the helicopter arrivals. Star of 2010 show was the Air Southwest Bombardier Dash-8 which provided a surprising and energetic display in the confines of the display area and a rare flypast by a Vickers VC-10 as well as the Tornado GR4 Role Demo.
As well as 2010, this DVD also looks back at displays from 2009 and 2008 with memorable events such as the Vulcan and Red Arrows flypast, the Royal Air Force Role Demo as well as numorous helicopter displays along the Devon coastline.
For fans of the Dawlish Air Show, this is superb souvenir of the event full of brilliant memories.
Posted by Flightline UK on 22/04/2011 under Display Team News and Dates | Be the First to Comment
fly2help is proud to announce an exciting new partnership for 2011 with the fast-moving RV8tors display team.
The RV8tors - Pic by Paul Johnson/Flightline UK
A new partnership between the Gloucestershire based aviation charity fly2help and the breathtaking RV8tors Display Team will be spreading the word of fly2help ‘air smiles’ days at air shows across the country. With fly2help logos emblazoned upon these high performance aircraft, the RV8tors support for the charity’s work will be hard to miss. To celebrate this new relationship, the teams are also running an inspiring new competition that is certain to get any aviation-heart racing.
The RV8tors team of two Vans RV8s were a highly popular addition to the UK air show circuit in their initial display year of 2010, thrilling the crowds with a combination of close formation aerobatics with speeds up to 230 mph. The display includes fast and white-knuckle formations, along with large and graceful manoeuvres that fill the sky, leaving smoke trails with brilliant effect.
Pilots Alister Kay (also famous for thrilling the crowds with P-51 Mustang ‘Ferocious Frankie’) and Andy Hill are both looking forward to this new partnership. “This new venture with fly2help is an exciting progression for the RV8tors and we are delighted to know that our display goes some way to helping those in need. To use the sky for our work is a privilege and this is our way of sharing it with others.” says Alister.
fly2help are delighted with this new scheme and see this as a great way to let people know the charity is there to support them if needed. A fly2help ‘air smiles’ event, which allows precious respite and escapism for families dealing with a life-tragedy, can be the catalyst for producing positive changes for those who really need a life-boost.
The TEXT Competition
Mandy of fly2help explains, “fly2help relies on public support to continue sharing ‘air smiles’ with those who need them most. As part of this new initiative with the RV8tors we are running a unique text-competition to help raise essential funds.”
The RV8tors - Pic by Paul Johnson/Flightline UK
TEXT FLY to 70099 for the opportunity for two winners to fly in formation alongside a Spitfire and savour the chance to view the world famous elliptical wing from a privileged and rare position. (You will be charged £1 plus one message at your standard network message rate. fly2help will receive up to 96p from each text message with a minimum of 76p from each message sent depending on your network operator)
The winners will fly in a high-performance aerobatic aircraft from Kemble on the weekend of 24/25 September 2011 and after the formation part of the trip the two guest aircraft will split off for a simulated WWII type dogfight. The winners will also enjoy a private display by the RV8tors and have to the opportunity to meet the pilots too.
This really is a chance not to be missed!
Competition Terms and Conditions can be found on www.fly2help.org
Don’t forget to keep your eyes to the skies for the RV8tors at air shows in 2011. Already confirmed are:
Posted by Flightline UK on 21/04/2011 under Display Team News and Dates, Military Airshows | Be the First to Comment
AN aerobatic display team that attended the second International Air Tattoo in 1972 is set to return to the UK this summer to mark the 40th anniversary of what has since become the world’s largest military airshow.
Les Diables Rouges (The Red Devils) aerobatic display team, part of the Belgian Air Force, will be taking part in the Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on July 16 & 17.
In 1972, the two-ship team took part in the airshow when it was staged at North Weald airfield. The pilots flew Fouga Magisters. Five years later, the team disbanded.
However, the Red Devils have now reformed, flying SF-260 aircraft, and they plan to return to the Air Tattoo in the summer to celebrate their historic links with the airshow.
Belgian Red Devils SF260
A spokesman for the Red Devils said he was delighted the new team would be taking part in the Air Tattoo. He said: “I hope our participation will serve to emphasise not only our historical links but also the enduring relationship that exists between the Belgian Air Force at the Air Tattoo.”
Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince, who helped found the airshow in 1971, said the Red Devils would help conjure up a wonderful sense of nostalgia at this summer’s event. He said: “We had some good times at those early shows and I recall the Diables Rouges, with their Fouga Magisters, performed beautifully. It is a great honour to see them return for this special occasion.”
In addition to celebrating its 40th anniversary, this summer’s Air Tattoo will host a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.
Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
Belgian Air Force Red Devils at IAT'72
Posted by Flightline UK on under Army Air Corps, Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Display Team News and Dates, European Airshow Council, Military Airshows, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Seaside Shows, Warbirds and Classic Jets | Be the First to Comment
Leading figures from the UK aviation and airshow industries met in Gloucestershire this month to launch the British Air Display Association (BADA).
The association, which announced an initial membership of 82, aims to be the focal point for developing and encouraging safe practices as well as promoting the industry to those involved in staging airshows, including display pilots, organisers, and authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority and the Military Aviation Authority.
Held at the headquarters of the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, the inaugural meeting saw the election of a committee to run the association. It comprises: Acting Chairman Ian Sheeley; Acting Vice Chairman George Bacon; Secretary Robert Windsor; Treasurer Colin Hitchins and committee members Geoff Brindle, Rod Dean, Dave Walton, John Davies, Rick Peacock-Edwards and Glen Moreman.
Ian Sheeley said: “the inaugural meeting was a great way to launch this new national association with an encouraging number of members present. The new committee provides a wealth of experience that will help BADA get off to a flying start”.
He added: “The key thing now is to maintain the momentum, and the first issue we’ll be looking at relates to airspace restrictions associated with the London Olympics next year and their effect on the airshow business – that’ll be receiving a great deal of our attention. The launch of BADA is an exciting development for the UK airshow industry and I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the committee and our members to build for the future.”
Posted by Flightline UK on 15/04/2011 under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force | Be the First to Comment
At the inaugural “British Air Displays Association” meeting on 13th April, there was an update on the proposed RAF displays for 2011.
At the moment, the possibility of the RAF Tornado GR4 demonstration is looking more promising and was awaiting a final sign-off from No 1 Group. Reports on local television news channels to RAF Lossiemouth suggest that may have happened and rehersals will start next week.
Sadly however, The Typhoon currently remains suspended. The team are looking at restarted rehearsals as soon as all the required assets are back in place but they have some three weeks of practice remaining to reach the right level for their Public Display Authority. The Display Team have been in contact with organisers regarding the attendance of their ground units at many of the events they may miss. Watch this space.
Posted by Flightline UK on 10/04/2011 under DVD Reviews | Be the First to Comment
Dunsfold Wings and Wheels DVD Cover
Produced by Planes TV; Available from PlanesTV.com. Price £16.99 DVD, £24.99 Blu-Ray
A new airshow to Planes TV’s portfolio for 2010 was Dunsfold Wings and Wheels. Dunsfold is a unique show combined some great historic vehicles and supercars with a top class flying display. The show held at the end of August is currently the only airshow held in Surrey and is a very popular local events.
It attracts a wide range of different displays from warbirds through to modern day front line jets and the ultimate aerobatic aircraft. 2010 saw the event expand to a two event for the first time, a sign of the event’s growing popularity. The flying side of the show takes in a number of displays covering Dunsfold and Surrey’s aviation history with acts such as the Red Arrows, RAF Hawk and Harrier and Hunter taking starring roles in the flying. 2010 saw mostly good weather for the two day event which made for excellent filming conditions.
The production is introduced and narrated by Melvyn Hiscock who provides an informative and sometimes humorous commentary. As well as the flying, there a superb section covering all the two and four wheeled action from the event. As you would expect, the flying display footage is second to none. Sopme outstanding highlights include the unique formation of Peter Teichman’s Hawker Hurricane and Jonathan Whalley’s Hawker Hunter, some extended Harrier coverage and some superb onboard footage from the Matadors display.
Overall, this is excellent production with some outstanding on-board footage – some of the best we’ve seen.
Posted by Flightline UK on 06/04/2011 under Military Airshows | Be the First to Comment
Visitors to this year’s Cosford Air Show will be treated to a first look at the new moves of aerobatic flying team The Blades.
Comprising four Extra 300 stunt planes flown in an array of intricate manoeuvres, The Blades – now in their sixth consecutive display season – take aerobatic flying to the next level.
They will take to the skies above RAF Cosford on June 12 when thousands of people from across the country are expected to flood to the airfield for the annual aviation extravaganza.
James Cliff, public relations officer for The Blades, said: “Cosford air show is a fantastic RAF air show and an important one for The Blades.
“It’s the first big show of the display season and it’s such a fantastic family day out. The Blades have worked on some new manoeuvres for 2011 and will be adding them to the show at Cosford – so eyes peeled for them.”
The Blades fly the Extra EA-300 LP, a low-wing, high performance aircraft designed for the most adventurous aerobatic manoeuvres.
The Blades’ display will see the pilots loop and roll in tight formation, and perform opposition crosses at speeds in excess of 400 mph.
Leading The Blades in 2011 is Blade One, Myles Garland. A former Harrier pilot, this is Myles’ third season as the Team Leader, having previously flown as a wingman and solo pilot.
The number two slot will be shared between Andy Offer, Chris Carder and Dave Slow. Blade three is Andy Evans and Blade four, the solo pilot, is Mark ‘Cutty’ Cutmore. Both Andy and Cutty flew RAF Jaguars.
Tickets will be £25.00 on the gate, only cash can be accepted, and are £19.00 in advance, free for children under 16 when they are accompanied by an adult.
Postal bookings should be received on or before June 5, 2011, and all major credit cards are accepted on the 24-hour Cosford Air Show Ticket Line on 0871 230 1083.
Tickets are also available from the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire Star offices in Shrewsbury, Hereford, Newport, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Ludlow, Tourist Information Centres in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Birmingham and in Mid Counties Co-Operative stores.
Full information on the show can be seen on the air show web site – www.cosfordairshow.co.uk – or is available on the show information line at 0844 561 1897.
