Red Arrows fly first nine-ship of the year
Posted by Flightline UK on March 10, 2010 under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force | 
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Red Arrows fly first nine-ship of the year – Red Arrows website.
Northern Ireland International Airshow Back On – Further News
Posted by Flightline UK on March 9, 2010 under Seaside Shows | Be the First to Comment
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.”
DVD Review: Dawlish Carnival Airshow 2009
Posted by Flightline UK on March 7, 2010 under DVD Reviews | Be the First to Comment
Dawlish 2009 DVD Cover
Produced by Planes TV; Available from Planes TV priced £9.99
The Dawlish Carnival Airshow is one of the most unique shows on the display calendar. While it’s not quite as big as a venue like Bournemouth, it’s topography makes for some spectacular views of the flying displays which Planes TV take full advantage of.
Despite have much fewer displays than other shows, the quality of the acts is superb with strong support from the UK military. The USAF even get in on the act with the KC-135R Stratotanker. Historic flying is represented by Kennet Aviation’s Westland Wasp and Sly Blue’s Hawker Hunter FGA9. Visually, the rotary acts provide the best filming material staying low allowing the dramatic coastal scenery to be caught in the backdrop from the high vantage point. However, the highlight of the production is the formation of the Vulcan and the Red Arrows.
This is quite a short production and lacks the interactive portions of other Planes TV productions which is a little disappointing as you get the feeling they would be equally impressive as that shot from the ground.
DVD Review: Airbourne 2009, Eastbourne International Air Show
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Airbourne DVD Cover
Produced by Planes TV; Available from Planes TV priced £15.99
One of your author’s favourite airshows is the four day spectacular at Eastbourne. The friendly atmosphere and unique viewing locations plus a superb varied flying display make Eastbourne one of the top airshows in the country.
2009 was a real return to form for Eastbourne after a disasterous 2008, publically in any case. The decision to charge for access to the seafront had been a PR catastrophe for the airshow. 2009 saw a return to the free access and the crowds did return, though not in the numbers pre 2008. However, it was enough to at least secure the future in to 2010 and hopefully beyond.
Like other seafront airshows, the aircraft are based at a number of airfields in the local area. One of the main bases for Eastbourne is Shoreham Airport just along the coast. It’s good to see Planes TV make good use of the airfield to capture some behind the scenes footage and some interviews with the display crews.
One of the remarkable moments of Airbourne was the formation of ARCo’s Spitfire IXT and the Netherlands Air Force F-16 which is not only captured well from the ground, but onboard cameras on the Spitfire and through the Heads-Up Display camera on the F-16. The HUD camera also gives an eye-popping impression of the F-16s spiral climb and dive.
Footage is recorded a number of different vantage points from the seafront -- the attractive seafront architecture frames the action perfectly for film in the beautiful summer sunshine. There’ s little to fault in the coverage except for the misidentification of the Harvard, which is not the Goodwood example mentioned in the commentary. However, this is a small blip in a briliant production rich with interesting onboard footage set against perfect weather.
One rather odd inclusion in the DVD package is the Vulcan Campaign video just after the main production which is perhaps a little out of place for a show that didn’t include the aircraft itself. However. as with all of Planes TV productions, the DVD does include “Interactive” extras including on baord footage from the F-16 HUD Camera, Spitfire, Mustang and Team Guinot which are all worth watching.
Air Tattoo offers something for the weekend
Posted by Flightline UK on March 5, 2010 under Military Airshows | Be the First to Comment
Organisers of this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds believe there will be so much for people to see and do at the airshow that they are offering a special discounted two-day ticket. The Air Tattoo, which takes place on July 17&18, not only stages a seven-and-a-half-hour flying display but it also features a large, static aircraft park and a wide range of ground-based entertainment and interactive activities. Deputy Director of Marketing Helen Webb said the decision to introduce the new weekend ticket was in response to feedback from the public who said there wasn’t enough time in one day to enjoy all the attractions. She said: “We open our gates at 7.30am and don’t close them until 8.30pm but even then, the feedback we get is that people need more time to see everything. I believe the best way to make the most of the Air Tattoo is to spend one day enjoying the thrilling flying display and free evening concert with the second day spent exploring the static aircraft park and the many showground attractions.”
RIAT 2009
In addition to aerial displays by a range of fast jets, helicopters, large transport aircraft, aerobatics display teams and historic warbirds, this summer’s Air Tattoo features a Battle of Britain airfield, the Extreme Trial Motorcycle Stunt team, a display arena, a robot arena, a fairground, a large display of classic cars plus concerts by Queen and Beatles tribute bands. There is also the opportunity for people to try water-zorbing and an off-road driving challenge. The Air Tattoo, which is held in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, is the world’s largest military airshow and attracts around 300 aircraft from across the globe. This summer’s event will stage special tributes marking the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The weekend ticket costs £65, representing a saving of £10 on the cost of two individual Saturday and Sunday tickets. All tickets must be bought in advance. Admission is free for all under-16s plus there is free parking. For further details, visit airtattoo.com
Patrouille de France to display at Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow
Posted by Flightline UK on March 4, 2010 under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Display Team News and Dates | Be the First to Comment
Patrouille de France
The Imperial War Museum has announced that the Patrouille de France will join the Red Arrows at their Battle of Britain Airshow in September. They will appear on Saturday 4th September only.
The RAF will further support the show with Eurofighter Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Along with a huge gathering of Spitfire and Hurricanes, this promises to be one of the highlights of the 2010 display season. More can be found in our Preview.
D-Day veteran returns to Oxfordshire
Posted by Flightline UK on under Civilian Organised Airshows and Trade Events, Warbirds and Classic Jets | Be the First to Comment
Drag Em-Oot at Abingdon 2009
An aircraft that actually fought on D-Day in 1944 will be returning to Oxfordshire in May as part of this year’s Abingdon Air & Country Show on Sunday May 2nd.
The C-47 Dakota named “Drag-em-oot” flew missions with the US Army Air Force on D-Day, June 6th 1944 – and still has bullet hole patches in its fuselage showing its war service.
The Dakota was a star of last year’s Abingdon Air & Country Show and is back again for 2010 as one of a number of priceless historic aircraft at the show. Other veteran aircraft on show will be the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Vampire jet, Harvard trainer and a rare bomber version of the Hurricane.
There will be other flying attractions including an RAF Hawk and the Swift Glider Aerobatic Team. There will also be a wide range of aircraft on the ground, including a US Army Blackhawk helicopter.
The show, raising funds for the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance, will be held at Abingdon Airfield, Dalton Barracks, just off the A34. It is now in its 11th year, and is organised by an all-volunteer team.
The show will include a wide range of attractions on the ground besides the aircraft.
Highlights include Dr Who Daleks, over 80 trade stalls and displays, the return of Fiona Harrison singing 1940s music and an Abingdon MG Car Works meet.
There will also be sheepdog demonstrations, a parade of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, RBS Williams F1 showcar, various World War Two re-enactment displays, a mobile farm, a craft marquee, tank rides, childrens’ amusements, a display of Army exhibits from Dalton Barracks and more.
Advance tickets are on sale now from a variety of outlets. For more information about the show, ticket prices and details of how to buy tickets, visit www.abingdonfayre.com
F-111 will not make it to the UK
Posted by Flightline UK on March 3, 2010 under Display Team News and Dates, Military Airshows, Royal Air Force | Be the First to Comment
The Waddington Airshow website has confirmed that there will not be a UK tour by Royal Austrailian Air Force F-111s this summer. The airshow has approached the RAAF about the possibility of organising a “farewell tour” of UK airshows which had met with a favourable response. Sadly, it was not to be but you cannot fault Waddington for trying to secure a final appearance by this iconic aircraft!
Shoreham Airshow Official Website Launched
Posted by Flightline UK on March 2, 2010 under Flightline UK Websites | Be the First to Comment
We have great pleasure in launching the new look Shoreham Airshow Website. We’ve worked with James George, another volunteer at the airshow, to revamp the entire website with a new format and plenty of new images from the show.
The new site features a brand new news page which will run several articles throughout the build up to the show as well as after it. We have also launched a brand new Facebook Fan Page and Twitter Feed for the airshow which we hope to use to keep everyone updated with the latest happenings as well as plans for some live blogging from the Show in August.
Shoreham Airshow 2010 will be held over the weekend 21st-22nd August, and tickets will be on sale from the website later this month.
DVD Review: RAF Waddington International Airshow 2009
Posted by Flightline UK on February 28, 2010 under DVD Reviews | Be the First to Comment
RAF Waddington IAS DVD Cover
Produced by The Media Group (TMG); Available from http://www.tmgsupport.co.uk/RAF/ priced £14.99
The largest of the RAF airshows, the Waddington International Air Show took place in relatively good weather in early July. The show featured the usual mix of RAF and international military displays as well as few select civilian acts. However, the 2009 edition of the show will probably be remembered for the Vulcan’s non-appearance in the flying displays due to paperwork issues!
It is with the Vulcan that this production starts with it’s arrival and practice displays during the Press Day the Thursday before the the show weekend. Coverage of the press day is just one of many “Access All Areas” features contained within the production. There are plenty of interviews with aircrews and important personalities at RAF Waddington. The latter includes the Air Traffic Control officers during arrivals day, the organisers in the airshow office and coverage from the Pilot’s Briefing. It’s particularly pleasing to see such detail in an airshow DVD as are the amount of interviews. Rather than just a record of the show, this DVD really tries to explore some of the different aspects of running the show and background to many of the aircraft.
Narration (which can be turned off like many other airshow DVDs) is provided by Andy Pawsey for the most part. Some of the team displays are accompanied by recordings of the actual show commentary from their respective commentators. For some of these, the sound quality is such compromised by a poor microphone, but the audio is well edited and follows the on-screen action.
The filming of the displays is particularly good, particularly given that TMG do not regularly film airshows. There’s no strobing propellors or jerky camera movements and image quality is excellent. The camera locations are very varied being on the live side airfield, crowdline and little further back capturing the showground as well as the aircraft in the air. There’s also good use of on=board cameras with the likes of the Blades and Team Guinot providing a very different view of the show.
Overall, the quality production and extensive behind the scenes filming makes this a very exciting and interesting DVD for anyone who was at Waddington, or is interested in airshows in general.
DVD Review: Sunderland International Airshow 2009
Posted by Flightline UK on under DVD Reviews | Be the First to Comment
Sunderland IAS DVD Cover
Produced by Planes TV; Available from Planes TV priced £9.99
The Sunderland International Air Show is one of the biggest seaside airshows in the country. 2008’s 20th Anniversary show was wiped out by persistant sea fret but 2009 saw clear conditions on both days.
The footage starts with the Red Arrows and a brief interview with 2009 team boss Jas Hawker. Staying with the Royal Air Force, the next featured act are the RAF Falcons with some nice on-board footage from their Chinook jump and and of thier drop into Sunderland. There is also some impressive on-board footage from the Blades.
RAF displays featured well as you would expect at a major seaside venue. However there are international displays from the Dutch and Belgian F-16s. One eye-catching display is the Royal Marines Commando assault involving a Sea King HC4. The Royal Navy make an impressive contribution also displaying the Merlin HM1 and the Black Cats. The Vulcan also features well.
Like the Lowestoft DVD, this is a shorter DVD than say the Biggin Hill production at just over 30 minutes. As record for the Sunderland spectator, it’s a very good reminder of two very good days of flying.
Northern Ireland International Airshow BACK ON!
Posted by Flightline UK on February 27, 2010 under Seaside Shows | Be the First to Comment
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!
Airbourne 2010 Launched
Posted by Flightline UK on February 26, 2010 under Royal Air Force, Seaside Shows | Be the First to Comment
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
RAF Hawk Display Dates 2010
Posted by Flightline UK on under Display Team News and Dates, Royal Air Force | Be the First to Comment
The RAF Hawk Display Team have published their display calendar for the 2010 display season. It can be found at http://www.rafhawkdisplay.com/diary.HTML
Polish MiG-29 to return to RAF Leuchars Airshow
Posted by Flightline UK on under Display Team News and Dates, Military Airshows | Be the First to Comment
Polish AF MiG-29 at Leuchars 2006
Francois Brevot reports from the European Airshow Council Convention on Twitter that the Polish Air Force MiG-29 will return to the RAF Leuchars Airshow in 2010. The solo display has been a popular addition to the flying display in 2006 and 2009 and Poland is one of the last countries displaying the powerful Russian fighter.
