Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has announced that it will not be holding its annual Air Day in 2012. Planned resurfacing works to the Culdrose runway leave the base unable to host large numbers of visiting aircraft during the summer. This factor, combined with Operational commitments across the globe and at home with the 2012 Olympics, means it will not be feasible for the base to man the event. The Air Day Team has however already started to prepare for the next Air Day event, planned for the summer of 2013.

Commanding Officer of Culdrose, Captain Willie Entwisle said: “As a Military Air Station, with Squadrons supporting the Royal Navy worldwide, Operational commitments have forced the decision that it will not be possible for Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose to deliver an Air Day in 2012. This is due to several factors, but mainly the fact that from Easter to October this year we have to resurface the taxiways to our main runway. Also, during the summer, a great many of our personnel will be deployed on frontline operations across the globe and of course providing support to the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

“Air Day is a very important event in the Culdrose calendar, therefore the decision has involved much deliberation and we appreciate that many will be disappointed with this news. Our relationship with the local community is very important to us, and we hope that we will still be able to meet many local residents at the various other Cornish events that we are involved in. In the meantime, my team has started working towards developing an Air Day for the summer of 2013.”

A FREE air festival which organisers say will rival the best aviation shows in the world is being planned to take place in Portsmouth next summer.

The world’s only aerobatic wingwalking team, the Breitling Wingwalkers, Second World War Spitfire planes and an old Royal Navy Sea Vixen fighter jet are just some of the star attractions being lined up for a seven-hour extravaganza of soaring displays over Southsea Common on Saturday, August 18, 2012.

Organisers of the first-ever Portsmouth Air Festival have pledged the event will be free to the public and expect more than 50,000 people to attend.

The festival will be funded by sponsorship deals and it is hoped it can raise more than £250,000 for charitable causes including the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The festival’s chief executive, Chichester-based businessman Steve Lawrence, told The News: ‘This will be one of the biggest things to happen in Portsmouth for quite some time.

‘The whole idea behind the air festival is to do something for Portsmouth. The company is not-for-profit – all the money we make will be put back in the business for the next year’s show and we want to make a lot of money for charity. It’s commercially driven. We’ve not asked the council for any money because we aim to cover our own costs.

‘We decided as an event it should be free and of benefit to the community. It’s about putting Portsmouth on the map.’

The full programme is being drawn up in the coming months and the organisers are meeting officials from the Civil Aviation Authority on Tuesday to confirm air space clearance on the day.

Organisers say the festival will also see Southsea Common packed with things for people to do while the aircraft zoom overhead.

There will be static aircraft displays, craft activity tents, and a festival village with food and bars. It will all end with fireworks at 11pm.

Businesses have already begun pledging financial support for the festival, including the global aircraft giant Vector Aerospace which has its UK base in Gosport.

Ken Doig, business development manager for Vector, said: ‘This will be a fantastic event for Portsmouth.

‘As a company we work with the military on a daily basis so we are always looking at ways of supporting military charities. It will also raise awareness of the aerospace industry in Portsmouth.’

Portsmouth City Council is expected to give approval soon for the common to be used. The Lord Mayor, Cllr Cheryl Buggy, said: ‘I was very pleased to learn of the plans for the air festival for August 2012 and I am pleased to add my support to those plans.’

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.”

The Aéronavale’s participation will comprise of single examples of the Dassault Rafale M multirole combat aircraft and the Falcon 10MER transport, communications and training platform. Neither of these French Navy aircraft will be seen at any other airshow outside France in 2010: a real exclusive for Air Day.

The Rafale represents the cutting-edge of modern fighter technology and has been in French military service since 2002. It is flown by both the French Navy and the French Air France – an example from the latter made its UK airshow debut at Air Day 2009 – and is fast, highly agile and highly capable. The French Navy currently operates 25 Rafales and has more on order.

The Falcon 10MER appearing at Air Day is one of seven such aircraft ordered by the French Navy in 1974 and based at Landivisiau in the north west of France.

Both the Rafale and the Falcon will feature in Air Day’s comprehensive Static Display, along with other UK-based and international modern military participants – including F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Royal Netherlands and Royal Danish air forces and a Luftwaffe F-4F(ICE) Phantom II – and historic naval aircraft linked to this year’s theme of 70 years of RNAS Yeovilton.

The current list of participating aircraft can be viewed at www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk or http://www.airshows.org.uk.  Tickets are available online or via the ticketline on 08445 781 781.

Alternatively, we have include the dates and crew information in our own Military Displays section – http://www.airshows.org.uk/ukmilitary/royal-navy-black-cats.html

From Bournemouth Echo

THE pilot ruled out by illness from flying the De Havilland Sea Vixen at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival is in a stable condition in hospital.

Lt Cmdr Matt Whitfield, 37, who lives near Shaftesbury, was admitted to Yeovil District Hospital earlier this week after suffering a stroke.

Commander Richard Seymour of RNAS Yeovilton, where Lt Cmdr Whitfield is stationed, said personnel at the base were wishing their colleague a swift recovery.

“He was taken ill last week but the good news is that he is recovering in hospital.

“The thoughts of everyone at the base are with him at the moment.

“I’m sure I can speak for Matt when I say he’ll be very disappointed not to be flying at Bournemouth this weekend,” said Cmdr Seymour.

A spokesman for Yeovil District Hospital said Lt Cdr Whitfield had been joined by his wife and was making a good recovery.

“We can confirm that Matt Whitfield has been admitted to Yeovil District Hospital.

“His condition is stable and he and his wife are looking forward to being able to go home,” the spokesman said.

Paul Kingsbury, the engineering director at Bournemouth Airport’s De Havilland Aviation, which owns the Sea Vixen, said that Lt Cdr Whitfield had not been “a happy bunny” at being unable to fly.

Speaking to the Daily Echo in May, Lt Cmdr Whitfield told the paper he was looking forward to flying the twin-engine supersonic bomber at this year’s air festival.

“It’s enormously rewarding and a phenomenal honour to be able to fly it.

“Physically, it’s a lot of hard work, but it’s a delight – it’s very, very powerful,” Lt Cmdr Whitfield told the paper.

He took over duties in the Sea Vixen following the retirement of its former pilot, Brian Grant, after the inaugural Air Festival last year.

More than 40 fixed wing and rotary aircraft, from training squadrons and the front line as well as from the Royal Navy Historic Flight, will combine in unique formations in a dramatic demonstration of Fleet Air Arm aviation during the past century.

The Fleet Air Arm is the Royal Navy’s air force, operating around 200 combat aircraft and more than 50 support/training aircraft. They provide the Royal Navy with a multi-role airborne combat capability in all environments, day and night, over the sea and land.

At the Air Tattoo, rare naval aircraft such as the Swordfish, Sea Hawk and Sea Fury will share the skies with their modern counterparts such as the iconic Harrier and the Jetstream. Also taking part will be Lynx and Sea King squadrons, a variety of training aircraft plus the Royal Navy helicopter display team The Black Cats.

Head of Aircraft Operations Rob Windsor said it was a great honour for the Air Tattoo to be chosen as one of only three events in the UK where the mass flypast would take place. The other two are at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.

He said: “It’s not every day you have the chance to see the history of Royal Navy aviation before your eyes. It’s going to be quite a spectacle. We hope we’ll also have the opportunity to demonstrate the diverse roles carried out by the Fleet Air Arm including Search and Rescue, anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol. With the Royal Navy’s participation, the Air Tattoo has become a valuable tri-Service event for the British Armed Forces.”

The Air Tattoo, which takes place on July 18-19. is staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. Advanced tickets only, priced £34.95, are available from airtattoo.com or by calling 0800 107 1940. Under-16s go free.

Swansea Council is teaming up with the Royal Air Force, the Army and the Navy to organise two days of jaw-dropping entertainment on Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12.

The event will be held along the promenade and across Swansea Bay with ground displays, trade stands and funfairs starting at the Civic Centre and running along the coast towards Mumbles.

And it will tie in with celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of an announcement on July 3 back in 1969 that Swansea was to receive city status.

The Prince of Wales made the announcement from the steps of the Guildhall just two days after his investiture at Caernarvon Castle.

Some of the other plans to mark the occasion include the opportunity for the 1st the Queen’s Dragoon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry) to march with bayonets fixed and colours flying through the city centre to a formal freedom ceremony at The Guildhall on July 11.

And this event will be a double celebration for the Afghanistan veterans because it also marks the 50th anniversary of their formation.

The Wales National Airshow was last held in Swansea two years ago when over 50,000 people from across the UK attended and this year’s event is expected to be bigger and better than ever before.

The Royal Air Force has already confirmed the Red Arrows, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Hawks and Tutors will all be making appearances and the Royal Navy says the Black Cats Helicopter Display Team will also be taking part.

Further participants will be announced over coming weeks with displays set for the ground as well as the air.

Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The event two years ago is probably still very much alive in people’s memories and I’m delighted that we have been able to secure the Wales National Airshow as a highlight in this year’s Swansea Bay Summer Festival programme.

“This is a real coup for Swansea as the only Welsh city to be hosting such a prestigious national airshow and it will give local residents and visitors the chance to see some spectacular state-of-the-art technology both in the air and on the ground.

“I’m sure the atmosphere will be terrific and the local economy is sure to benefit from the inevitable influx of visitors over the two days.”

Arfon Davies, of Ammanford, attended the event in 2007.

He said: “It’s great to see major events like this coming to the area.

“I really enjoyed the event two years back and will definitely be coming to the airshow in July. The Typhoon Eurofighter was absolutely amazing.”

Opening times will be approximately 10am to 6pm with flight times to be confirmed closer to the event.

Have a look at www.swanseabayfestival.com for more information.

An appeal is also being made to people celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary from July to December this year and to people celebrating their 40th birthday on July 3 this year to attend a series of garden parties being hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House.

And any people marking these milestones in 2009 are being asked to contact Swansea Council’s corporate marketing department by emailing corporate.marketing@swansea.gov.uk or by writing to the team at the Civic Centre.

Other plans to celebrate the occasion include the distribution of commemorative coins commissioned from The Royal Mint to babies born on July 3 this year.

• 16th-17th April – Vliegerinfodagen GZR, Netherlands
• 13th May – LWD Attachédag, Netherlands
• 24th May – Volkel in de Wolken, Netherlands
• 30th May – Rome, Italy
• 6th-7th June – Cazeaux, France,
• 19th-20th June – Volkel, Netherlands
• 26th-27th June – Zeltweg, Austra
• 27th-28th June – Reims, France
• 4th-5th July – Koksijde, Belgium
• 11th July – RNAS Yeovilton
• 18th-28th July – RIAT, RAF Fairford
• 23rd-24th July – Lowestoft
• 25th-26th July – Sunderland
• 8th-9th August – Dala Jama, Sweden
• 13th-16th August – Eastbourne
• 22ns-23rd August – Roskilde, Denmark
• 29th-30th August  – Radom, Poland
• 6th September – Malaga, Spain
• 13th September – RAF Leuchars
• 20th September – Sanicole, Belgium
• 26th-27th September – Malta
• 14th-15th October – Vliegerinfodagen LWD, Netherlands
• 14th-15th November – Nellis AFB, USA

Due to the success last year of running a Veterans Enclosure at the Shoreham Air Show – the Organisers have decided to do the same again.

Don Bean MBE, Air Show Organiser said. “It is important that we remember the veterans of World War Two and The Falklands – it is our way of saying thank-you. Many of our past patrons have often commentated on this specific enclosure and how much they enjoy visiting it and listening to the many stories and meeting the many guests.”

It is intended to invite 50 pairs along each day to the enclosure where the winners will be looked after whilst having an excellent view of the flying.

Providing you have served in either of the two operations all we need from you is your name and address and a brief history of your wartime activities and rank in an envelope sent to Shoreham Air Show Veterans Competition, Royal Air Forces Association Air Show Office, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex, BN43 5FF.

The first fifty drawn for each day will receive their entrance tickets and parking passes nearer the event.

Blackpool is busy planning numerous high profile events for not only the official National Veterans’ Day on Friday 27 June 2008, but for a nine-day long event that will involve the whole town and draw in visitors from all over the UK.
 
Highlights of the festivities, which run 21-29 June 2008, will include a night time parachute drop onto the beach, military land, sea and air displays, the opportunity to get up close to vintage vehicles, veterans’ badge presentations, an evening parade and events for families and school groups.

The event aims to bring together veterans of all ages, backgrounds and experiences.    

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June 2008 will see land, sea and air military displays and exhibitions transform the promenade near North Pier with a buzz of activity. Take a closer look at the trades and equipment used by the Armed Forces and experience a Royal Marine beach landing. Enjoy a nostalgic journey back in time as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights’ vintage WWII flying machines – Hurricane, Spitfire and Dakota – soar through the air.

The RAF Falcons’ parachute display team will be dropping in over the weekend to say hello from 12,000 feet and helicopter search and rescue teams will demonstrate their vital skills. Also showcased will be the agile Hawk Jet. In level-flying, this plane approaches the speed of sound. Other planes to be spotted over the weekend include the Tucano and Tutor training aircraft.

Activities planned for National Veterans’ Day, on Friday 27 June 2008, include a veterans’ parade through the town, followed by a spectacular illuminated beach-landing by the Red Devils parachute display team, who are serving military from the Parachute Regiment. The finale will include a massive firework display.     

The Veterans’ Badge Challenge, taking place throughout the nine-day event will see veterans young and old collecting their badges in unusual and daring ways. This will demonstrate the transferable skills learned in the forces, including diving, climbing and abseiling. On National Veterans’ Day itself, a young veteran will make a daring dive into the shark tank at Blackpool’s Sealife Centre to claim his badge

All ex-Service personnel are entitled to apply for the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge and many veterans from all over the country will be presented with theirs on Veterans’ Day in Blackpool. The Veterans’ Badge was established in 2004 and over 550,000 have been issued to date.

A Gala Dinner on Wednesday 25th June 2008 at the stunning Empress Ballroom welcomes veterans and their friends and families to a five-course meal, including entertainment from the Lancashire Royal Artillery Band and post-dinner cabaret. Early booking is recommended and tickets are available at £16 a head on T: 01253 299 277.

Sunday 29 June 2008 is Sporting Sunday and will feature the Veterans’ Golf Tournament and Veterans’ Cricket Match, both in the town’s Stanley Park. The golf tournament will feature intergenerational teams, one of which must be a veteran, and the cricket, which runs alongside a family fun day and afternoon tea, will pit veterans of all ages against currently serving forces. To take part in the golf, contact Paul on T: 01253 478 435 or paul.latham@blackpool.gov.uk and the cricket, Julian on M: 07900 086 761.  

Free activities for schools throughout the event include tree planting in memory of conflicts, a schools’ Veterans’ Day tribute, schools’ visits by veterans and a war time cinema experience, featuring archive news footage of children being fitted for gas masks, plus a light-hearted Laurel and Hardy film.

 Blackpool is no newcomer to hosting veterans’ events and pioneered the country’s first festivities in 2005. It has run its own Veterans’ Week every year since then, as well as being a favourite resort for veterans’ get-togethers since WWII.

The third annual National Veterans’ Day is a chance for the nation to recognise the contribution made by veterans of all ages in conflicts both past and present.

A  large number of Veterans’ Day events, ranging in size, will be taking place across the UK during the summer, although Blackpool’s contribution will be the largest and will take the national focus. Events are being organised by Blackpool Council and the Fylde Ex-Service Liaison Committee.

The Ministry of Defence has pledged to provide £25,000 towards the cost of Blackpool’s celebrations, which are supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). In June 2007 funding of £3.5 million was been approved by the NWDA to support a programme of signature events in Blackpool over a three year period.

Derek Twigg, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Veterans Minister, said: “Veterans are of all ages with a variety of different backgrounds, and they all deserve our recognition. Not only have they honoured their commitment to defend our country’s interests in Service, they have also used their skills and experiences to enrich their local communities.

“With the establishment of an annual Veterans Day, each year June 27 is our chance to recognise the achievements of those veterans who live amongst us.”

Mayor of Blackpool, Cllr Robert Wynne, said: “Blackpool is absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the host for National Veterans Day 2008, it’s a great honour for the town. “Blackpool has many historical links with the Armed Forces and has a special place in the hearts of many veterans. Every year we welcome a large number of Ex-Service Associations into the resort for their annual reunions.”

“We have been holding an annual Veterans Week here in Blackpool since 2005, and plans are already well underway to make this year’s celebration even more special.”

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the NWDA, said: “Blackpool is putting an enormous amount of effort into ensuring veterans and other visitors thoroughly enjoy National Veterans Day and the week’s festivities. The NWDA was delighted when Blackpool was announced as host of the celebrations and these exciting plans demonstrate the commitment the town has to creating a successful event.”

“Major events such as this are hugely important, both in terms of economic impact and in promoting Blackpool as a year-round resort.

Regular updates on events will be posted at www.veteransweek.co.uk, where you can also sign up for a newsletter or alternatively call 01253 478 2222