Red Arrow pilots come down to earth at air show

Sep 21 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Red Arrows will make a rare appearance on the ground at the 15th annual Southport Air Show this weekend.

Thousands of visitors will have a chance to see the famous pilots and take photographs.

They will sign autographs and take questions from the crowd, before taking to the skies to perform one of their trademark aerial spectacular displays from 4.40pm on Saturday. Red 1, Wing Commander Jas Hawker, will lead the nine Hawk aircraft in the display.

“Southport is among the team’s favourite display venues and we look forward to performing there this weekend,” he said.

All being well on the weather front, spectators can expect to see 23 minutes of breathtaking manoeuvres. The Red Arrows will perform again at noon on Sunday, although they will not be on the ground that day.

Southport Air Show is one of the aviation calendar’s most spectacular events, providing displays by jets, fighters, bombers, helicopters and aerobatic aircraft.

A new Dairylea arena will feature urban sports entertainers Team Extreme, who will teach youngsters how to improve their BMX, skateboard, inline skating, basketball, pogo and dance step skills. Other highlights include an appearance by Typhoon, an agile aircraft with pioneering voice-activated control, which regularly operates up to 55,000ft.

A display will also be put on by the Black Cats Lynx Helicopter Team. The Southport Model Aero Club will also entertain.

FOR further information, or to book tickets, call 01704-533333 or log onto www.visitsouthport.com