Turbo stunt plane in first for festival

The world’s first turbo jet-powered Pitts Special muscle bi-plane will be thundering through the skies at Bournemouth Air Festival this year.

Former RAF Tornado pilot Richard Goodwin will be displaying his unique G-JPIT bi-plane, which he has reengineered to include two massive ATM Lynx Jet engines.

The plane can perform aerobatic manoeuvres such as double-hammerheads and the amazing Tower of Power, complete backwards flight and high-alpha knife-edge flypasts.

Goodwin, who built the plane from his garden shed, said: “Normally we go along a runway and once we’re in the air we accelerate to 130 and 140 knots, before we can start doing any manoeuvring.

“With this plane you get airborne at 60-70 knots and ease into the vertical and go straight up. “You may well have seen the Typhoon do that manoeuvre.”

Goodwin custom build the plane, which is sponsored by Sabio Group, with his colleague and aircraft designer, Eddie Sauernman.

Read more about Goodwin’s invention in the official air festival souvenir programme, which gives free access to the most up-to-date display times over the four days through the Bournemouth Air Festival App. The programme includes exclusive stories about the aircraft and stories on King Charles III’s links to the military.

Young engineers wanting to follow in the footsteps of Goodwin can find out more about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths at the Ultra Energy STEM Village on the East Cliff.

Don’t miss out on exclusive tickets for the best views of Goodwin’s stunning aerobatic skills in the Pitts as well as all the incredible aircraft displaying in the VIP daytime and evening hospitality tent along the central flight line.

Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of BCP Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, said: “There’s one month left to go now till this exciting free festival on our award-winning beaches takes place, so stick the date in your diary and don’t miss out.”

Editor’s notes

Buy the official air festival souvenir programme to get free access to the up-to-date display timetable over the four days, exclusive stories about the aircraft and our fascinating local aviation history, here.

Download the official Bournemouth Air Festival app here.

Book your VIP air festival experience here. Please note tickets are selling fast with Friday night VIP already sold out!

It’s easy to travel sustainably to the air festival this year. Simply travel by train, jump on a bike or bus. Read more here.

For more information on the displays and aircraft as they are being announced please go to the Bournemouth Air Festival website or stay up to date on social media: Facebook: @bournemouthairfestival, Instagram: bmthairfest, Twitter: @BmthAirFest

Press Information: Julia.bullas@bcpcouncil.gov.uk. Commercial and sponsorship opportunities: cara.donn@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Chinook and Memorial Flight set to fly

The popular Royal Air Force Chinook Display Team will be returning to Bournemouth Air Festival for an impressive aerial display this year.

The team have only chosen only eight air shows to display at this season, so their performance of pirouettes and turns over our award-winning coastline, is not to be missed.

The iconic sounds and sights of the World War Two aircraft in the shape of Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster will also make a graceful reappearance across the four days which runs from 31 August – 3 September.

Festival goers can ensure they get the best view by taking advantage of VIP daytime hospitality or VIP live music evenings with dusk flying in the official marquee.

Visitors can also snap up casual reserved seats on the beach with a dedicated ‘Sandbar’ and toilets – all on the central flight line in an exclusive area.

This year’s festival, organised by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council), includes exciting ground events such as a fun fair, performances from the band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines and fireworks. There will also be food stalls and the opportunity to meet Armed Forces officers in the RAF, Royal Navy and Army Villages.

Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of BCP Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, said: “Having the Chinook Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at this year’s event is an opportunity not to be missed.

“Make sure you to get the best view of the festival and snap up some of the hospitality seats going. The event promises to be something for everyone.”

This chinook display appearance is supported by Thales UK

-Ends-

Editor’s notes

Book your VIP air festival experience here. Please note tickets are selling fast with Friday night VIP already sold out!

It’s easy to travel sustainably to the air festival this year. Simply travel by train, jump on a bike or bus. Read more here.

Buy the official air festival souvenir programme to get free access to the up-to-date display timetable over the four days, exclusive stories about the aircraft and our fascinating local aviation history, here.

For more information on the displays and aircraft as they are being announced please go to the Bournemouth Air Festival website or stay up to date on social media: Facebook: @bournemouthairfestival, Instagram: bmthairfest, Twitter: @BmthAirFest

Press Information: Julia.bullas@bcpcouncil.gov.uk. Commercial and sponsorship opportunities: cara.donn@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Red Arrows timings announced

Timings for the world-famous Red Arrows have been announced for this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

The key times the Red Arrows will take to the skies during the air festival are Thursday at 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 2.45pm.

As well as the Red Arrows there will be an impressive line-up of air displays from fast jets to aerobatic bi-planes, helicopters and night air pyrotechnic displays.

Buy the official air festival souvenir programme to get free access to the up-to-date display timetable over the four days, exclusive stories about the aircraft and our fascinating local aviation history.

Meet the support teams that keep the display pilots flying in the RAF Village, Royal Navy Village and Army Village.

Discover games and exhibitions from local companies featuring virtual reality, lifeboats that save lives at sea and zero-carbon technology at the Ultra Energy STEM Village (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Organised by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) this exciting event showcases our beautiful coastline and is yet another reason for visitors to come and explore our unique towns.

Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, said: “Bournemouth Air Festival is a huge event, with much to see and do whether that’s visiting the fun fair, getting inspired at the Ultra Energy STEM Village, or being mesmerised by the aerial acrobatics. It promises to be an exciting four days.”

Editor’s notes

It’s easy to travel sustainably to the air festival this year. Simply travel by train, jump on a bike or bus. Read more here.

For more information on the displays and aircraft as they are being announced please go to the Bournemouth Air Festival website or stay up to date on social media: Facebook: @bournemouthairfestival, Instagram: bmthairfest, Twitter: @BmthAirFest

Press Information: Julia.bullas@bcpcouncil.gov.uk. Commercial and sponsorship opportunities: cara.donn@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Clock ticks for traders to boost their brand

Time is running for traders to take centre stage at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

The event has the largest single audience of any aviation event in Europe, presenting a wealth of trading and brand engagement opportunities.

Space is filling up quickly, with some positions including catering and bars already full, and pitches on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

This year’s flagship festival will take place on Thursday 31 August – Sunday 3 September.

It will feature the world-famous Red Arrows alongside the mighty Typhoon and the historical Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Cllr Millie Earl, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, said: “Bournemouth Air Festival is a huge event in the area’s calendar and is a major opportunity for traders to get in front of consumers.”

“Whether it is tasting, sampling, educating, informing or relationship building, the Air Festival is a chance to make meaningful connections with people.”

Traders who would like to register interest should email Cara Donn, Event Officer, at cara.donn@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or apply online here: bournemouthair.co.uk/commercial/

Editor’s notes

This year traders include stalls from South Coast Makers Market, Bournemouth’s only independent, curated market which champions hand-crafted, sustainable businesses.

Bournemouth Airport will also be returning and there will be a stand from BCP Recruitment.

In previous years, traders have sold or promoted everything from memorabilia, food products, home products, cars, and financial services.

For more details on the festival, visit bournemouthair.co.uk. @bournemouthairfestival @bmthairfest @BmthAirFest

What visitors love about Bournemouth Air Festival

Bournemouth Air Festival features an incredible four days of aerobatics. In 2023 expect appearances from the RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain planes, and with more aircraft announcements expected soon; it’s a packed four days of fun.

This award-winning family friendly event includes dazzling dusk performances and entertainment on land.

Here’s what visitors love about Bournemouth Air Festival

Spectacular air displays

The festival features an impressive line-up of aircraft, including military and civilian planes, helicopters, and aerobatic teams performing breath-taking displays in the skies above Bournemouth. The Red Arrows are a popular feature on all four days for 2023!

Free entry

Yes, it is completely free to enjoy the displays and entertainment, making it a brilliant day out for families. Pack a picnic for a pocket-friendly day out.

Family-friendly atmospherea

The festival is known for its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great event for families and people of all ages.

So much to see

Alongside the air displays, the festival has so much to see, do and experience. From shopping and the funfair to the Armed Forces areas and STEM tent (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). There’s plenty to do. We dare you to try and see everything in one day!

Beautiful unrivalled coastal setting

Bournemouth’s picturesque coastline is part of your day. Whether you watch from the beach or from up higher on the cliff top, it provides a stunning backdrop to the air displays and festival events.

Food and drink

The festival offers a wide range of food and drink options, including local and international cuisine, ensuring you have plenty of choices to refuel.

Night Air!

It’s not over when the sun goes down! In addition to the daytime displays, the festival also features an evening program – ‘Night Air’ with illuminated aircraft displays, culminating in fabulous fireworks, for a spectacular end to a lovely day.

This summer the Bournemouth Air Festival runs over four days 31 August – 3 September 2023.

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Primary school competition to meet the Red Arrows launches

Primary school children could be in with the chance of meeting the Red Arrows at the Bournemouth Air Festival by designing their own paper aeroplane.

The competition aims to inspire the next generation of children in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole into STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Maths).

All primary schools that enter will be invited to an online question and answer event with the Red Arrows in the lead up to the festival, which is organised by BCP Council.

One winner will be chosen to meet the pilots at the festival, which runs from 31 August – 3 September, and includes demonstrations from the Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight planes.

Runners up will see their designs featured in the festival’s STEM marquee on the East Cliff, which will feature exciting demonstrations from local industries, such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Bournemouth-based Centre VR, the largest virtual reality centre in Europe.

Festival director Jon Weaver said: “With its unique focus on STEM, the Bournemouth Air Festival, is a huge opportunity to inspire children in our community to be the next generation of engineers.

“This year’s STEM marquee will feature some of the region’s high-profile companies and experts specialising in various STEM sectors, giving exciting demonstrations.

“Everyone is welcome to come along to this year’s marquee, which will be situated at the RAF Village on the East Cliff. If you’re interested in how things work and have a creative brain it is definitely for you!

“I encourage all primary schools to take part in this year’s competition for a chance to be featured inside this year’s STEM marquee and to win a chance to meet the Red Arrows.”

Squadron Leader Tom Bould, Team Leader and Red 1 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “STEM subjects power the work of the Red Arrows and are at the core of so many roles within the RAF.

“Every time the team takes to the air, our precision shows are the result of a great deal of planning plus application of fast maths and expert engineering.

“I’d encourage young people in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area to use these exciting, dynamic aerobatic displays as aviation inspiration and be creative in their paper aeroplane designs.”

Editor’s notes

Please note, this is for primary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole only. Entries must come from the school, not from individual students.

Instructions for schools

To enter please visit Bournemouthair.co.uk/stemcomp

Deadline for entries is 9 June.

We aim to choose the winners and update schools by mid-June.

The online question and answer event with schools will take place at a date to be confirmed in July. Schools will receive an email invite and measures will be taken to ensure the event is safe and secure.

Find out more about the STEM marquee at this year’s festival. 

Red Arrows & Typhoon announced at UK’s biggest free festival

The world-famous Red Arrows and supersonic Eurofighter Typhoon will be making a roaring return to the UK’s biggest free land, air and sea event, the Bournemouth Air Festival, this year.

The elite Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots will be joined by some of the most famous fighter aircraft used in World War Two’s Battle of Britain – the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

All the iconic planes will be performing over four days of the award-winning festival alongside the Tutor, an RAF plane used for University Air Squadron (UAS) elementary flying training and for flying grading.

The landmark festival, which is now in its 15th year, is scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 31, to Sunday, September 3 across 1.5 miles of beach and clifftop.

Red Arrow’s Team Leader and Red 1, Tom Bould, said: “We’re thrilled, as a team, to be returning to Bournemouth for all four days of the 2023 air festival.

 “The event will be a highlight of our summer and with miles of beaches and a distinctive coastline, the location is a brilliant backdrop for a packed programme of world-class displays.

 “We’re busy putting together a new aerobatic show for 2023 and are excited to bring this to Bournemouth and showcase the talented people, skills and work of the entire Royal Air Force through this display of teamwork and precision.

 “What is even more fulfilling and motivating as a team is knowing that hundreds of thousands of people head to Bournemouth for the air festival.

 “Not only is it humbling, and a privilege, to perform a dynamic display for everyone in-the-sky but it’s also a great opportunity to meet individuals, many of whom are young people and families, on-the-ground during the festival – including at the RAF Experience area, where there’s chance to learn more about the Service.

 “Crucially, the festival in Bournemouth is a testimony to the ability of air events to bring communities together, to support local economies and to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds through the wonder of aviation and STEM.”

Regarded as one of the best air shows in the UK due to its unique position on the south coast of England, the Bournemouth Air Festival offers both land and sea viewing opportunities.

Cllr Beverly Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Bournemouth Air Festival is a fantastic end to the summer and last year’s Platinum Jubilee Air Festival was no different.

“From the iconic Red Arrows to the thrilling night displays and the fabulous family atmosphere throughout, it really creates an electric atmosphere, bringing crowds from far and wide, supporting the economy and local jobs.”

BCP Council’s air festival director Jon Weaver said: “The RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain are a firm favourite among festival goers, and we look forward to welcoming them back for an incredible four days this coronation year.

“This year we are once again planning to deliver a truly memorable four days of thrills and entertainment, and we’re looking forward to making more announcements to the festival programme over the coming months.

“We have an incredible team that organises it and I can’t wait to see this year’s festival come together in what shall be a very special coronation year.”

The Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival lands for 2022, capping off a roaring summer season

A bumper four-days of fun, flying and fantastic displays came to an end on Sunday with the Typhoon officially closing BCP Council’s 2022 Bournemouth Air Festival.

People from all over the country and beyond visited Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the last four days to take part in the festival, enjoying all the aviation packed entertainment on offer as well as all the land-based activities that took place in the RAF, Navy and Army villages on the ground.

Regarded as one of the best air shows in the UK due to its unique position on the south coast of England offering both land and sea viewing opportunities, residents, visitors and flying enthusiasts have been enthralled by flying displays, including the mighty Typhoon and its roarsome noise, breath taking stunts from the Jet Pitts Muscle Bi Plane, wing walkers, parachutists, the nostalgia of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and of course, the ever-popular Red Arrows.

Running for over 10 years, the air show now includes an impressive number of flying displays, armed forces entertainment, a STEM education tent (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), family entertainment, fairground rides, Pier to Pier trading, free outdoor films, live music and the ever-popular fireworks.

This year early indicators suggest a major uplift in residents and local people coming to enjoy the festival. Benefiting the local economy, on Saturday the Prom Café reported its best day of trading ever.

In a push for a more sustainable festival, residents and visitors have been encouraged to leave their cars at home wherever possible and travel by train, bus, bike, or even Beryl scooter to the festival site, to help reduce the carbon footprint. The council’s popular Park and Ride from Kings Park to Boscombe Pier removed an estimated 2000 cars from local roads and the town centre on Saturday, facilitating greater ease of travel away from the event.

Attendees were also urged to bring reusable water bottles from home and fill up at one the 150 water refill points along the seafront that have recently been installed or refreshed thanks to BCP Council’s partnership with City to Sea. Festival goers are thanked for being responsible and keeping the beaches clean, it’s noted that this year many more people have chosen to take their waste home and make use of the many bins provided along the seafront.

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director, BCP Council commented:

“Once again, we’ve had a fantastic four days of fun and I’m incredibly proud of my team who have worked tirelessly both leading up to and over the last few weeks to ensure the success of this year’s festival. I am also very grateful to colleagues across the Council who have stepped up before and during the festival to ensure its smooth running.

“Putting together a festival of this magnitude also requires a huge amount of partnership working and my immense thanks go to everyone who been involved in this year’s festival. From the emergency services to the armed forces and RNLI, as well as hospitality partners and traders who all have given 100% to make sure we had a successful festival over the last few days.”

Councillor Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, BCP Council commented:

“Bournemouth Air Festival is the highlight of the summer calendar and this year’s festival certainly did not disappoint! From the iconic Red Arrows to the thrilling night displays and the fabulous family atmosphere throughout, it’s been fantastic!

“This iconic air show certainly puts Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on the map. It brings in the crowds from far and wide, supporting the economy and local jobs. It also gives us the opportunity to showcase the best our area to a wide audience.

“We’re now looking ahead to the arrival of the exciting Airship Orchestra and then our Arts by the Sea Festival, which has now extended through Christchurch. We also have the ever-popular Christmas Tree Wonderland, Poole Fireworks and the first ever Poole Christmas Maritime Lights Festival coming later this year. These events will highlight the very best our towns have to offer all our residents and visitors through all seasons.”

Provisional dates for next year’s air festival will be the 31 August to 3 September 2023.

Royal blessing for Air Festival

Queen Elizabeth II has given her blessing to the Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival.

Her Majesty’s good wishes come as two further surprises are announced for the four-day free event on land, sea, and air.

The American B-52 bomber is set to make an appearance on Saturday before the Red Arrows take flight with their special formation celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.

Meanwhile the iconic Spitfire, hero of World War II, will be joined in formation by the mighty modern Typhoon for several enthralling passes on Friday.

However, before the planes get ready to roar, the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Robert Lawton is celebrating a letter from the Queen giving her good wishes to this year’s festival.

Cllr Lawton wrote to the Queen earlier on in the year inviting her to the festival, which he said was dedicated to her Majesty and aimed to celebrate her 70 years of service.

In a letter back, the Queen’s Diary Secretary Mrs Helen Cross, said the Queen would be unable to attend, but hoped “very much that the Air Festival is a successful and enjoyable one for all those attending.”

Cllr Lawton said: “It’s an enormous privilege to receive this letter from the Queen in her historic Platinum Jubilee year.

“The Bournemouth Air Festival incorporates everything that falls under the Queen in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, so it’s a great honour that she’s acknowledged our mark of respect in this way and I’m very glad that we’ve been able to celebrate this significant year most fittingly.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the spectacular displays in the air, on land and at sea over the next few days and encourage everyone to come and enjoy everything the Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival has to offer.”

Alongside the Red Arrows, Spitfire and B52, festival goers can look forward to a host of other events on land and at sea, including fairground rides, bird of prey displays, bands, fireworks, trade and food stalls throughout. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) tent is also back this year to inspire the next generation, with exhibitors including the RNLI, AUB and Rolls Royce.

The Sea and Sky Sprint challenge between Sunseeker’s high performance day boat, the Hawk 38, and the aerobatic plane G-JPIT Muscle Bi-Plane, manned by retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, will take place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Place said that after a few challenging years due to the pandemic the festival, which is organised by BCP Council, was very much about celebrating the local community.

She said: “We want to give our community something to celebrate, and something to be proud of and we are certainly proud of this year’s line-up.

“Now in its 14th year, it provides free entertainment over four days against a backdrop of award-winning beaches – so it’s perfect pocket-friendly entertainment for families.”

“Tourism is worth over £1billion to the local economy and supports almost 18,000 jobs. In 2021 the Air Festival brought in a total spend of £49.7m into the local economy, attracted about 800,000 visitors from all over the UK and supported about 266 full time jobs, so it is a critical event in the calendar locally.

“Aside from the excitement of the aerobatics and ground displays, a particular favourite of mine is the STEM marquee, which integrates the areas and challenges of science, technology and engineering to inspire the next generation by giving young people access to some of the region’s high-profile STEM companies.

“So, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all those that make the festival happen. Thank you to the Armed Forces, the RAF, and the Royal Navy, The Army and the Royal Marines for creating some incredible displays that always draw in the crowds.

“Thanks to those at the council working behind the scenes and the businesses and traders taking part. Thank you to our partners at Bournemouth Airport, Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, the HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South Western Ambulance Services along with our other multi agency partners.

“We couldn’t put on the festival without all these people, so it’s truly a collective community effort.”

The award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival is scheduled to take place from Thursday, September 1, to Sunday, September 4.

Editor’s notes:

A commemorative Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival is now on sale to purchase.

Further festival highlights include:

  • A competition between the Royal Navy and the Armed Forces at the Who Dares Gyms at the Bournemouth’s East Cliff on Saturday 3 and a display of vintage cars on the same day.
  • There will also be performances from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines who will be performing Sunday morning 11am-12pm and the Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony in the Lower Gardens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6.45pm.
  • Liberty’s Owls will give bird of prey displays in the Lower Gardens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the festival, the STEM tent will be back aiming to inspire the next generation, and there will be fair rides, bands, fireworks, trade and food stalls throughout.
  • Also performing will be the Commando Recruiting Team giving Unarmed Combat demonstrations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6.20pm.
  • The Sea and Sky Sprint challenge between Sunseeker’s high performance day boat, the Hawk 38, and the aerobatic plane G-JPIT Muscle Bi-Plane, manned by retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, will take place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4.
  • We’ll also be welcoming back the 30-metre-long Chinook HC6A helicopter, which is capable of carrying up to 55 troops or up to 10 tonnes of cargo.
  • The Spitfire and Typhoon will meet for some electric moments in the sky when the Spitfire, which has a top speed of about 330 mph (528 km/h) is joined by the Typhoon, which moves faster than the speed of sound at Mach 1.8 or 1381.08 mph, on Friday.
  • The display will come at the conclusion of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) display, which commemorates those who have fallen in the service of this country.
  • Download the official Bournemouth Air Festival app on Google play or on the App store for all the updates. For details visit bournemouthair.co.uk or follow the Air Festival crew on social media #bmthairfest

Press Information: julia.bullas@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Commercial and sponsorship opportunities: alison.perrins@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Sunseeker stunt revealed

A Top Gear themed high-octane stunt in the air and sea has been revealed ahead of this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

Sunseeker’s high performance day boat, the Hawk 38, will be pitted against aerobatic plane G-JPIT, in the new Sea and Sky Sprint at the UK’s best free air, land and sea show this September.

G-JPIT is a custom built, highly modified Pitts Biplane that gives it enhanced manoeuvrability and unparalleled power-to-weight ratio.

Meanwhile the Sunseeker Hawk 38 delivers an incredible top speed of up to 70mph (62kts).

Photo Credit: Sunseeker International

The Sea and Sky Sprint will take place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4 of the four-day festival.

Bryan Jones, Marketing Manager at Sunseeker International, said: “We are delighted to have helped put together this incredible stunt which will see the Hawk 38 being driven at its limits across a 1km slalom course just in front of the beach, while the plane will be following both a horizontal and vertical flight path in an attempt to cross the finishing line first.

“Given the agility and performance of both machines, it’s going to be an exceedingly tight race.”

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director said: “We are delighted that renowned aerobatics pilot Rich Goodwin has agreed to take on this exciting Sea and Sky Sprint challenge.  He has had a regular presence at the Bournemouth Air Festival for a number of years performing mind-blowing aerobatic stunts in his muscle biplanes.

“The Air Festival provides a great platform to showcase the prominent international status of local brands including Sunseeker International, based in Poole. We are looking forward to our partnership going from strength to strength and we cannot wait to see this spectacular demonstration play out on sea and in the air.”

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Now in its 14th year, Bournemouth Air Festival is the biggest date in the area’s calendar.

“This Platinum Jubilee year, the festival is not only a chance for residents and visitors alike to celebrate, it also represents a major opportunity to showcase local businesses and for traders to get in front of consumers.

“In 2019 Air Festival made a major contribution of £32m to the local economy attracting over 600,000 visitors, retaining its reputation as an important attractor event for the region.

“With stunts like this Sunseeker and muscle bi-plane on the display programme to draw in the crowds, we hope this year will be another huge success.”

Retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, who will be flying the Sabio Group-sponsored Muscle Biplane, G-JPIT, will be pulling off some dare-devil loop-the-loops and barrel rolls at between 200ft and 1,800ft as part of another individual display during the air show.

He said: “I am very excited by the challenge of doing something a little bit different at the Bournemouth Air Festival; an event which is a real highlight in the UK Air show calendar and one that I look forward to each year.

“We aim to push the boundaries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to create a unique experience and I am passionate about inspiring our future STEM aviators and engineers.

“Taking on the incredible Sunseeker Hawk 38 at Bournemouth Air Festival is a great opportunity to push the boundaries of aerobatic flying once more. It’s shaping up to be a wonderful occasion!”

Across the weekend a myriad of exhilarating aircraft will rip through Bournemouth’s skies including the RAF Typhoon and The Battle of Britain Memorial planes – the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

The Bournemouth Air Festival will run from September 1 and September 4. Follow #SeaSkySprint on social media for more.

Editor’s notes:

 There’s still time to apply to trade at the Bournemouth Air Festival this year. Traders who would like to register interest should email Ali Perrins, Event Officer, at Alison.perrins@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or apply online here.

The Hawk 38 has four racing seats with shock absorbing mitigation, combined with inflatable Hypalon 866 STAB® tubes and a pair of Mercury 400R engines.

Sunseeker contacts

 Nicola McKenna or Enya Newton
Tel: +44 (0)1425 472330
Email: sunseeker@mckennatownsend.com

Bryan Jones
Marketing Manager, Sunseeker International
Tel: +44 (0)1202 381111
Email: bryan.jones@sunseeker.com
Web: www.sunseeker.com

Find out more about Sunseeker at www.sunseeker.com