Airbourne 2006 News Release
Plans well in hand
Plans for the fourteenth Airbourne, taking place on Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th August 2006, are well in hand. The four day event will be in a similar format to last year's with over 75 flying displays, the RAF exhibition area, arena displays, children's entertainment, the Sunday sunset closing ceremony and a grand fireworks finale.
Sponsorship for Airbourne 2006
Over the past few months, we have been working hard to secure sponsorship and are delighted to have the following organisations as key sponsors, namely Eastbourne Arndale Centre, City Sightseeing Ltd, Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Red Eventful Cuisine, SEEDA (South East England Development Agency), SITA, Specsavers and TR Becketts.
Eastbourne Borough Council are also grateful to Sovereign Harbour who are sponsoring the safety boat, the Manx Belle and to Eastbourne Pier who are sponsoring the Sunday evening fireworks finale.
Red Arrows
We are delighted that the world famous Red Arrows are flying on Friday 18th August at 4.30pm and Sunday 20th August at 12.30pm. Red 10 (the Red Arrows commentator) will arrive by Squirrel helicopter about 1 and ½ hours before each Red Arrows display to make final checks on the ground and to perform a full commentary throughout the display.
The Eurofighter 'Typhoon'
This will be the second year the Typhoon will be displaying for the RAF as Eastbourne has once again been chosen as one of a few specially selected airshows which will see this impressive display. The newest RAF's multi-role combat aircraft will be flown by Squadron Leader Matt Elliot and he'll be flying the single seat F2 version instead of the two seater T1 variant which was used last year.
Classic and Historic Day
On Thursday 17th August, keep your eyes to the skies as the following classic and historic planes will be displaying: Harvard T6-G, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Spitfire Duo, Mustang P-51 and for the first time at Airbourne - the Royal Navy Historic Flight.
New for 2006
This year for the first time, Search & Rescue helicopters from the Dutch and Belgian air forces will be here. The RNLAF AB412 squadron and the Belgian Sea King MK48s will be displaying with the RNLI. Another confirmed new addition is the Tigers Parachute display team - one of the top freefall parachute teams from the Army who will be demonstrating their skills and hot off the press but not yet confirmed is the possibility of a display by a French Mirage 2000 fighter jet. Keep a look out on the website for the latest news on this plane.
Airbourne Flying Programme
Due to such high demand for flying times, the Airbourne Souvenir Programme has been released for sale ahead of schedule this year. The 64 page glossy souvenir programme features events and display timings, superb colour photographs plus facts and figures on the featured aircraft. To purchase a programme priced at £5, pop into Eastbourne's Tourist Information Centre or send a cheque or postal order made payable to Eastbourne Borough Council for £6.00 (inc p & p) to: Airbourne Programme, Tourist Information Centre,
Cornfield Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4QL.
Friends of Airbourne Car Park
To help maximise the enjoyment of Airbourne, we have set up a FREE 'Friends of Airbourne' car park on St. Andrew's School Field, Darley Road, Meads. The car park will operate on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August and opens from 8.00am. Please display the attached car parking voucher in your windscreen as you enter the car park.
If you wish to catch the bus down to the seafront, a 'classic' bus service will run from Wellcombe Crescent to the main arena, commencing at 9.30am and operating every 20 minutes. Fares cost £1.00 each way for adults (one child FREE with each adult) and an additional child fare 50p each way.
Radio Airbourne
For those budding DJs, Radio Airbourne 87.7FM (sponsored by Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce) is offering fans the chance to present their own radio show in a brand new X-Factor style competition. Run by Eastbourne Borough Council, the competition allows genuine radio enthusiasts to compete for a slot on the station. For more details check out the press release on the following link:
Airbourne hospitality – Spitfire Club on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Make Airbourne 2006 really special and take advantage of the Spitfire Club – Airbourne's best kept secret – it's not too late to book. With only 120 seats available in an exclusive marquee at the front of the bandstand, you can sit back, relax and enjoy Airbourne. The superb hospitality includes champagne on arrival, a delicious two course buffet lunch and a cream tea. For further details, please call Jayne Howard on 01323 415442 or email events@eastbourne.gov.uk.
And finally…
We hope that you really enjoy Airbourne 2006 and look forward to seeing you at the event.