Airbourne
is Eastbourne's FREE international air show held at the seafront every
year.
Where
- Airbourne takes place right accross Eastbourne seafront. The flying
displays take place over the sea with clear views from the entire 5 miles
of beach. However, the best position to be in is probably between the
Eastbourne's pier and the Wish Tower or opposite the Grand Hotel on the
Western Lawns. The ground displays take place on the Western Lawns and
there are plenty of attractions on the Wish Tower Slope and promenade.
If you want to be posh you can hire a seat in the exclusive seating area
at the bandstand, including fully licensed bar and bistro. It's about
£5 per person.
When - The Eastbourne airshow is held every year for four days. It takes place
on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday on either the second or third
weekend in August. This year Airbourne will start on Thursday 11th August
through Sunday 14th 2005. Attractions usually open around 10am and flying
displays kick off about 11am. For the Red
Arrows you should be inplace on the seafront as early as possible. This year the Red Arrows will perform on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August 2005.
Gound displays - Eastbourne's Western Lawns hosts displays by the
RAF Police Dogs and the RAF Regimental Presentation Team as well as shows
of vintage cars, bands, dancers and more. There are lots of stalls and
marquee displays as well as children's rides, flying/racing simulators
and trade shows. There are even planes on the ground like a Red Arrow
Hawke and Tornado which the public can sit in. Along the promenade there
are also plenty of stalls and activities like bouncy castles and slides.
During helicopter flying diplays and the helicopter rescue displays the
Western Lawns are the landing site for the helicopters and it can get
very noisey and windy as well as thrilling!
Air Displays - Every year during the Eastbourne air show, the skies
are filled with all sorts of aircraft. The displays remain relatively
similar each day apart from a few exceptions. Keep an eye on the press
as things can change by the day. However most days you will probably see
the following aircraft
Red
Arrows (Usually three days. Sometimes all four!)
Tornado F3
Jaguar GR3
Harrier
WWII Aircraft (Lancaster/Spitfire/Hurricane)
Nimrod MR2
Hawk T1
Tucano T1
RAF Falcons Parachute Display team
Utterly Butterly Wingwalkers
Chinook sea rescue
Click here for PHOTOS
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There
are plenty more aircraft flying over the four days and your best bet is
to order the programme or see below for further information. A word of
warning for families with small children. Some of the jet planes particularly
the Tornado are VERY loud and every year the sound of screaming children
can be heard in between the roar of the jets. So please cover their ears,
poor little things.
Parking - Eastbourne seafront is not an easy place to park at the
best of times and it's impossible during Airbourne. The seafront road,
Royal Parade, is total gridlock over the four days so steer clear. Best
thing to do is come in to Eastbourne on the A22 and park in the free parking
in the fields opposite the Sovereign Centre. As you come in to Eastbourne
on the A22 follow signs for the seafront. You should be on Lottbridge
Drove passing the car sales showrooms. You will see Tesco on your right.
Over the roundabout with Staples on your right and the fields are to your
left. You can get the bus or the Dotto train from outside the Soveriegn
Centre to the pier. Or if you get parked nice and early you can walk along
the promenade all the way to the action. It's about 2 miles. For information
on other ways of getting to Eastbourne please see the Travel
Information page of this site.
Further
Information - For more detailed information about exactly what aircraft
are flying and when the Red Arrows will be appearing, please see the official
Airbourne
website. You can request a programme from the Tourist Information
Centre, Cornfield Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex. BN21 4QL. Their Airbourne
HOTLINE is 01323 411400. You can also get information about accomodation
and other events in Eastbourne like Skate or the Eastbourne Half Marathon
from the Tourist Information Centre. Finally, once you are in Eastbourne
you can get the very latest information plus commentary on the displays,
from Radio Airbourne on 87.7FM
.
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