Posted by Flightline UK on 16/01/2012 under Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows | 
From This Is Kent
THE Red Arrows are set to thrill thousands at the Folkestone Jubilee Airshow, the Herald can reveal.
Accompanied by the Tiger Club Turbulent Display Team, a De Havilland Tiger Moth and a host of others, the iconic aircraft will soar above The Leas on Saturday, June 2, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and as the centrepiece of this year’s celebrations.
The Herald – which is media sponsor to the event – reported last year that Folkestone Town Centre Management (FTCM) planned to hold a “grand festival” this year, to mark the Jubilee, the London Olympics and to celebrate everything Folkestone has to offer.
In August, we revealed that an airshow, not seen in Folkestone since 2003, was to return and now many of the participants have been confirmed.
Town centre manager John Barber said: “The first weekend in June is going to be very exciting.
“We’re just bringing the programme together now. At first, we just thought we’d just have a series of street parties, then the possibility of a small-scale airshow came up – and it’s taken off more than we originally thought.
“We’ve been confirmed in the national calendar, we’re going to take up all The Leas and the seafront – and we’ve got the Red Arrows.”
Also confirmed for the Saturday, between 1pm and 5pm, are a number of smaller display teams. On the morning of the same day, the Lower Leas Coastal Park will be transformed by schools, groups and businesses into a fete ground with stalls and activities.
The following day, the harbour area will be transformed to resemble Covent Garden, but with a 1950s theme, complete with rollerskating waitresses, musicians, actors and entertainers.
But the first weekend is only the start of a month of non-stop activity in Folkestone. The Multi Cultural Festival will be held on June 8 to 10, followed by the Charivari parade on June 16.
The following Saturday and Sunday will be a vintage-themed weekend and on June 30, a “last night of the Proms” concert will be held on The Leas, featuring the Kent Concert Orchestra.
Barbara Witham, from FTCM, said: “We hope to have half a dozen events every day in June. We’re looking at a wandering pub quiz, games like welly-throwing, an eating competition, a chilli and chocolate festival – there’s going to be something for everyone.
“I think this year is going to be wonderful. Folkestone will be amazing and amazed.”
Mr Barber added: “It’s thrilling. Folkestone was always known as a festival town and we want to recreate that so whenever people come, there’s always something going on.
“Whether the airshow will bring money into the local economy, we don’t know but we’ve been told that with the Red Arrows, and the Vulcan which we could have, we’re talking about 100,000 to 200,000 people.
“Hopefully the retailers will embrace it, and the rest of the festivals, and we can bring the feel-good factor back to Folkestone.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring the airshow should call FTCM on 01303 850522 or e-mail eventioneventslimited@gmail.com, a new Folkestone company which has carried out much of the work organising the show for the weekend.
For the Jubilee weekend, FTCM hopes as many people as possible will be involved.
It has asked tenants of the Creative Quarter to consider joining in the fun by displaying themed artwork or creations in windows and possibly working alongside the weekend’s activities.
The organisers also hope to hear from street performers, including mime artists, jugglers, singers, clowns, stilt-walkers, musicians and singers.
Any new ideas, suggestions or offers of help, for that particular weekend or any other, should be e-mailed to eventioneventslimited@gmail.com or call FTCM.
Posted by Flightline UK on 24/11/2011 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Seaside Shows |
From The News (Portsmouth)
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.’
Posted by Flightline UK on 21/04/2011 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 |
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 20/02/2011 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Seaside Shows |
From the Southend Echo
SOUTHEND airshow will run over the last weekend of May instead of the Sunday and bank holiday Monday in a cost-saving measure.
Southend Council took the decision to run the show over Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, instead of the traditional Sunday and Monday after negotiations with Essex Police indicated the cost of policing the event on a bank holiday would be prohibitive.
Last year was the first time the council had to pay for police cover for the event, and it is understood the cost had risen this year due to Government cuts.
Seafront traders have welcomed the move, but those in the town centre remain unconvinced.
Posted by Flightline UK on 19/09/2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Seaside Shows |
The second day of the Southport Airshow (Sunday 19th Sept) has been cancelled due to overnight rain waterlogging the beach car parks.
Posted by Flightline UK on 04/08/2010 under Seaside Shows |
There’s just a week to go until Eastbourne International Airshow zooms back to the UK’s sunniest place with visitors ready to enjoy hours of spectacular flying, seven days of live Radio Airbourne broadcast, 35,000 ice-creams, brand new Picnic on the Proms and a dazzling firework finale!
Airbourne returns to Eastbourne seafront next week from 12-15 August and now in its 18th year, promises to be bigger and better than every before with fantastic flying, evening entertainment, arena displays, Bandstand concerts and more!
Headlining this year’s free event is four days of displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, commemorating 70 years since the Battle of Britain was fought out over south east England with Saturday evening offering a special anniversary display. Visitors can look forward an exciting Dogfight re-enactment between the Spitfire and Buchon Messerschmitt 109 in an attack on a pleasure boat before a new evening extravaganza.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Neil Stanley said “I am extremely excited for this year’s Airbourne and the fantastic programme of displays and entertainment coming up next week! Not only do we have a brilliant flying programme and the chance for visitors to get their hands on the latest flying schedule when they buy the souvenir programme, but there are great new evening events, the popular Bandstand concerts, the wonderful RAF Village and of course, the acclaimed firework finale to round off four bumper packed days! Set on our stunning seafront, with lots to see and do, Airbourne is the perfect event to keep you entertained for a long weekend by the coast!”
Crowd favourites the Red Arrows, whose display is sponsored by TravelInsured.co.uk, are back for three days of flying on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with a special ground appearance on Saturday afternoon finishing with a flypast on Sunday. And the Reds will be joined by a top line up of international aircraft over the four days including the Belgian F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon, P-51 Mustang, and Catalina.
With such a vast line up of flying, Airbourne is going into the evening on both Friday and Saturday night in 2010. Come Fly With Me! returns on Friday evening with the Typhoon, Gnats, Blades, Spitfire and Hurricane Bomber performing an evening display from 6-8pm while the Swing Street Band perform in the arena playing a variety of music, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble!
Brand new for 2010, Saturday evening offers another evening extravaganza with Picnic on the Proms. Following the special Battle of Britain 70 display, The Shades of Blue Big Band, part of The Band of the RAF Regiment, will perform in the arena and visitors are invited to bring a picnic to the lawns and chill out as the sun goes down on a busy day at Airbourne.
With plenty of reasons for visitors to have their eyes to the skies, there is also lots to look forward to on the ground including the RAF Village on the Western Lawns offering a fascinating insight into life in the Royal Air Force. Children can sit in a replica Red Arrow cockpit or climb aboard a replica Chinook, while the RAF Careers team speak to budding young pilots, and the Mobile Catering Unit carry out field cookery demonstrations.
For those who want their own personal soundtrack to the airshow, visitors can buy Airbourne radio headsets from the Information Tent at the event and tune into Radio Airbourne on 87.7FM promising 165 hours of live commentary, pilot interviews, music, weather and travel updates with a programme and radio headset available together for only £6.
The airshow opens from 10am – 6pm each day from Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 August, with extended flying until 8pm on Friday, a live band until 8pm on Saturday, and a firework finale launched from Eastbourne Pier at 10pm on Sunday night.
For more information on Airbourne 2010 visit the Airbourne website or telephone 0871 663 0031.
Posted by Flightline UK on 01/07/2010 under Seaside Shows |
This year’s Air Festival is not only promising new aircraft, international teams and a better Night Air evening programme, but new and exclusive for Thursday evening is a superb dusk air display.
Set to take place from approximately 8pm, the display will be an incredible opening addition to this year’s much anticipated event. The confirmed line-up includes a host of ‘new for this year’ aircraft and teams – Royal Netherlands Air Force, displaying their fantastic F-16 Fighting Falcon, The Parachute Regiment Freefall Team – ‘The Red Devils’ and war bird Hunter Jet, ‘Miss Demeanour’. .
Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director commented: “We always said that this summer we wanted to give people more reason to stay longer and see more of the resort; the evening display certainly achieves this. As the UK’s leading aviation festival, we have worked hard to create something distinctive and dynamic.”
In addition to the dusk display, Thursday evening only, the ‘Night Air’ evening entertainment (Thursday – Saturday night) also includes street entertainers, performances by Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band Collingwood, performing the Beat Retreat, Royal Marines Combat Display Team, hot air balloon glows, outdoor film screenings, al fresco food stalls in the town square and a firework display on Saturday night.
Posted by Flightline UK on 30/06/2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Seaside Shows |
The 2011 edition of the Southport airshow will be held on the 23rd-24th July 2011, a move away from it’s traditional September slot
The show’s timing is dictated by tides as much of the showground as well as temporary runways and car parks are positioned on the sands just off the town’s promenade. High tides during September 2011 mean that the show has been forced to find a new slot in late July when the tides will be low enough to allow the runways and showground to be built.
The latest 2011 airshow dates can be found in our Airshow calendar.
Posted by Flightline UK on 26/05/2010 under Seaside Shows |
Display Frequency: 128.950
Sunday
1400-1500
- P-51D Mustang
- F-86A Sabre
- The Blades
- Catalina
- RNethAF AB412
1500-1600
- Team Viper
- CAP232
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- RN Lynx
1600-1700
- RN Lynx
- Seahawk
- Breitling Wingwalkers
- RAF Sea KIng HAR3A
- RAF Tutor T1
- RAF Tucano T1
1700-1800
- RAF Hawk T1
- Gnat Display Team
- RAF Typhoon F2
- RAF Falcons
Monday
1400-1500
- Gnat Display Team
- The Blades
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- RAF Tutor T1
- RAF Tucano T1
1500-1610
- RAF Hawk T1
- Catalina
- RNethAF AB412
- F-86A Sabre
- Breitling Wingwalkers
1610-1700
- RN Lynx
- Seahawk
- RAF Sea King HAR3A
- Twister Duo
- CAP232
1700-1800
- RAF Typhoon F2
- Team Viper
- P-40 Kittyhawk
- RAF Falcons
Posted by Flightline UK on 21/05/2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Seaside Shows |
From This is South Devon
THE HUGELY popular Dawlish airshow and carnival procession is under threat because of a lack of volunteers, organisers revealed today.
Dawlish carnival committee revealed it might be forced to pull the plug if it failed to attract at least 60 volunteers.
Extra pressure has been heaped on the 14-strong volunteer committee following a review of the police’s role in traffic management at public events.
Unless volunteers come forward by the end of June the committee says it will be forced to remove the three events from the calendar.
Committee chairman Warren Drew said: “We desperately need help and won’t leave any stone unturned until we get it.”
The committee has been forced to increase the number of its marshals after Devon and Cornwall Police informed local authorities that it was no longer responsible for traffic management.
Dawlish carnival committee says it needs 60 people to assist with the August airshow, procession and pram race, all of which require road closure notices to be put in place.
“Without local support we cannot run certain events,” said Mr Drew.
“Indeed, police stated at a recent safety meeting that they will stop any event on public roads if they feel it’s unsafe.
“We’re doing everything we can to try and get people involved,” he said. “The last thing we want is to cancel any of the events.
“We have advertised as widely as we can. We want anyone to come and help, even if it’s only for a couple of hours or half a day.
“Cancelling the airshow or procession would have a real impact on tourism, not just in Dawlish but elsewhere.
“Last year 100,000 people came to South Devon. It put Dawlish on the map.
“Traders benefited from the extra trade and caravan parks and accommodation providers would have taken extra bookings.”
In recent years police nationally have reviewed their role at public events.
Devon and Cornwall Police did the same and then wrote to local authorities outlining changes over the next 12 months.
A force spokesman said: “Devon and Cornwall Police will continue to support public events in the future and carry out the functions and roles for which we have responsibility.
“Event organisers have the responsibility for ensuring their events are properly planned and managed in relation to public and road safety.
“Negotiations are taking place locally with event organisers and local highway authority representatives concerning the future vision for event traffic management,” he said.
Dawlish Carnival celebrations will run from August 14 to 21.
Volunteers will get full training.
To apply, email safety@dawlishcarnival.co.uk or write to the committee care of the Manor House, Old Town Street, Dawlish.
Posted by Flightline UK on 09/03/2010 under Seaside Shows |
From Coleraine Times
THE Portrush Airshow will go ahead after all this year after it was saved at the final hour by the local business community.
The September event, which attracts up to 200,000 visitors each year, had been postponed for the first time this year due to a rise in costs and a lack of sponsors.
Coleraine Borough Council normally contributes about £70,000 to £80,000 to the event with the rest coming from corporate sponsors, however contributions from the sponsors were reduced this year because of the economic climate.
During a special meeting of Coleraine Borough Council on Tuesday night though, which the press were not invited to, the Chamber of Commerce confirmed that a number of businesses in the borough had pledged their support to the airshow.
In the light of this announcement, councillors unanimously voted to bring the airshow back.
Mayor of Coleraine, Sandy Gilkinson, said: “I can confirm that the NI International Airshow will take place in September 2010 at West Bay, Portrush.
“On behalf of Coleraine Borough Council I wish to thank the local business community and the Chamber for coming together to save this spectacular event, it shows tremendous spirit in a difficult economic period.”
Karen Yates, Chamber President commented, “I would like to thank everyone that has contributed so far for showing such spirit and commitment, particularly when trading is so difficult. It’s important to note that businesses of all sizes have made contributions from sole traders to large established groups, pledges have come from across the borough and the support province wide has been amazing. Once the line up has been confirmed we will make this public along with the names of the businesses that have saved the Airshow for all of us.”
“It’s not clear if businesses will have to finance the show in the future but we’ll have to put a plan in place,” she added.
Coleraine Borough Council staff will now continue to make arrangements for the airshow to take place on the first weekend of September.
It is yet to be decided whether this year’s airshow will be a one day or weekend event.
Alliance councillor, Barney Fitzpatrick, said: Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “This is a massive boost for our tourism industry and our local economy.
“I want to praise all the local businesses that have dug deep into their pockets at this tough time to save the airshow.
The excellent efforts of many in recent weeks shows the great community spirit in the locality.”
UUP councillor and MLA, David McClarty said: “The decision to cancel had been taken in the first place to keep the rate rise to a bare minimum, and because many businesses who would have supported it were under financial pressure this year.
“In my 20 years as a councillor, this is the biggest reaction to a subject, other than a human tragedy, that I can ever remember,” he said.
The good news will delight the 3,076 people who backed an online campaign to save the airshow.
Facebook users including Ulster Unionist MLA John McCallister and DUP MLAs Trevor Clarke and Jonathan Craig had joined a group called Bring Back The Portrush Airshow 2010.
Comments on the page reflected the disappointment felt across the Province at the cancellation of the airshow.
Some of the comments left included: “Give us all something to look forward to for goodness sake, precious little else given to ratepayers,” and, “I saw the Airshow in 2008. Unbelievable! I know times are hard but the show is such a big morale-boost and crowd puller.”
Posted by Flightline UK on 27/02/2010 under Seaside Shows |
We’ve heard from a couple of display pilots that the Northern Ireland International Airshow at Portrush, Coleraine is now back on! More news as we get it!
Posted by Flightline UK on 26/02/2010 under Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows |
Eastbourne Borough Council have launched Airbourne 2010 unveiling the first details of this year’s flying displays. The full line up can be seen in our detailed preview on the main site.
The official Airbourne Launch Party took place last week at Towner, Eastbourne’s award-winning art gallery, to exclusively reveal this year’s flying programme for the international airshow, which returns to the south coast from 12-15 August.
Headlining the flying schedule confirmed for this year is a special 70-year anniversary display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the return of crowd favourite the Red Arrows, and the impressive Eurofighter Typhoon. With other aircraft including the Hawk, Tutor, Tucano, Search and Rescue, and King Air also displaying, the flying line-up is already looking action-packed and organisers Eastbourne Borough Council are offering companies the chance to benefit from this prestigious event with sponsorship opportunities available.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “A Date With Airbourne, our official launch party, was a brand new idea for this year’s event and a great opportunity for us to thank those companies who worked with us last year and network with potential new sponsors.
“Last year’s Airbourne was such a huge success with a record number of sponsors and the numbers of trade stands up by 27%. We are looking to build on that this year, and with fantastic assets already confirmed for this summer, we should be in for another spectacular year.
“We have a wide range of sponsorship packages available offering companies a great opportunity to come on board and benefit not only from the huge footfall that Airbourne receives, but also to raise their company profile by being associated with such a highly regarded event.”
Following the success of last year’s airshow which was reported to have been the most visibly busy in the event’s 17-year history, airshow organisers are again looking to work with the local business community to raise funds to stage the event.
Many local businesses from across the south east attended the Launch Party at Towner on Thursday evening last week to find out about the sponsorship packages available this year and receive an early bird discount on programme adverts.
Securing a record 25 sponsors in 2009 including TravelInsured.co.uk, Eastbourne Borough Council are again starting sponsorship packages from as little as £250 right up to a headline sponsor at £75k, with the option for companies to tailor make packages to suit their budget and needs.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, trade space and corporate hospitality available at Airbourne visit www.eastbourneairshow.com
Posted by Flightline UK on 19/02/2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Seaside Shows |
From the TSA Consulting Ltd website:-
Swansea City and County Council has decided not to stage a repeat of last year’s Wales National Airshow in 2010 but, instead, to make it a biennial event. So we look forward to a spectacular return of the event to Swansea Bay in the summer of 2011.
Posted by Flightline UK on 14/02/2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Flightline UK Articles, Seaside Shows |
A few more airshow previews have been posted in our Features section:-
