Bournemouth Air Festival facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bournemouth Air Show
RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team performing their cupid formation at The Bournemouth Air Festival 2009.
Status	Active
Genre	Air show
Dates	3–4 days in August/September
Begins	Thursday
Ends	Saturday
Frequency	Annually
Venue	Bournemouth Beach Area, Bournemouth Gardens.
Location(s)	Bournemouth
Coordinates	50°43′12″N 1°52′48″W / 50.72000°N 1.88000°W / 50.72000; -1.88000
Country	United Kingdom
Years active	2008 – 2025
Established	28–31 August 2008
Previous event	29–31 August 2024
Next event	2026 (event cancelled for 2025)
Attendance	> than 600,000 (2022)
Activity	Aerobatic displays
Organised by	Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Website	www.bournemouthair.co.uk

The Bournemouth Air Festival is a big air show that happens every year in Bournemouth, Dorset, England. It takes place along the coast and features amazing aircraft from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and even civilian planes. Since it started in 2008, millions of people have enjoyed the festival.

The festival usually lasts for four days in late August. It includes exciting air displays during the day and even at dusk and night, often with live music. The local council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council), organizes the event. It's a huge boost for local businesses, bringing in about £30 million each year.

The 2024 festival was the last one organized and paid for by BCP Council. The event did not take place in 2025. However, BCP Council is talking with a company that might run the festival starting in 2026.

History of the Air Festival

The Bournemouth Air Festival began in 2008. The first event ran from Thursday, August 28, to Sunday, August 31.

Exploring the Festival Site

The festival is free to attend. The main festival area stretches for 1.5 miles between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.

• The RAF Village is located on the East Overcliff.
• The Royal Navy Village, which also includes the Army and Royal Marines, is on the beach in Zone 2. Here, you can see vehicles, try out equipment, and talk to military personnel.

Amazing Aircraft and Display Teams

Many different aircraft and display teams have taken part in the Bournemouth Air Festival over the years. Here are some of them:

Act	Aircraft	Information	Photo
AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers	Boeing–Stearman A75N1 (PT17)	This team is famous for having people walk on the wings of planes while they fly! They are the only formation wingwalking team in the world.	AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers in action.
Avro Vulcan	B.2 XH558 The Spirit of Great Britain	The Vulcan was a large, delta-wing jet aircraft used by the Royal Air Force as a bomber. One special Vulcan, XH558, was restored to fly in air shows. It made its last flight in October 2015.	The Avro Vulcan XH558 in flight.
B-17G 'Sally B'	Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress	At 78 years old, 'Sally B' is the only B-17 Flying Fortress still flying in Europe. It's a memorial to the US airmen who died in World War II.	The B-17G 'Sally B' flying.
North American B-25 Mitchell	North American B-25 Mitchell	This was an American medium bomber used in World War II. It was named after Brigadier General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer in US military aviation.	A North American B-25 Mitchell.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight	Dakota, Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane	This Royal Air Force group performs aerial displays with historic planes like the Lancaster, Spitfire, and Hurricane. They are based at RAF Coningsby.	Planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Wildcat Demo Team (Black Cats)	AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2	The Black Cats are the Royal Navy's helicopter display team. They use two Wildcat helicopters for their amazing displays.	A Wildcat helicopter.
Breitling Jet Team	Aero L-39 Albatros	This was Europe's largest civilian aerobatic display team. Based in France, they flew seven Aero L-39 Albatros jets in synchronized maneuvers.	The Breitling Jet Team.
Bristol Blenheim		A British light bomber used a lot in the early years of World War II. Some were still used for training until the end of the war.	A Bristol Blenheim.
Canadair T-33 Silver Star	Lockheed T-33	This is a Canadian-built version of the Lockheed T-33. It's powered by a different engine than the original Lockheed version.	A Canadair T-33 Silver Star.
Chinook Display Team	Boeing CH-47 Chinook	This Royal Air Force team performs aerobatics with the large Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The team members are volunteers from front-line aircrew.	A Chinook helicopter from the Display Team.
Eurofighter Typhoon Display Team	Eurofighter Typhoon	The Eurofighter Typhoon is a powerful European multirole combat aircraft. It was designed as an air-superiority fighter.	An RAF Eurofighter Typhoon.
Fairey Swordfish		The Fairey Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber used by the Royal Navy in World War II. It was nicknamed "Stringbag."	A Fairey Swordfish.
Gerald Cooper Xtreme Air XA41	XtremeAir Sbach 300	The XtremeAir Sbach 300 is a German aerobatic aircraft known for its amazing stunt flying.	An XtremeAir XA41.
Hawker Hurricane	Hawker Hurricane Mk X Hawker Sea Fury T.20	The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s and 40s. The Hawker Sea Fury was the last propeller-driven fighter for the Royal Navy.	A Hawker Hurricane.
Hispano	Hispano Buchón 'Black 8' Hispano HA-1112-M4L Buchón 'White 9'		These are Spanish-built versions of the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. They were used in the movie Battle of Britain.	Hispano Buchón 'Black 8'
J-3 Cub (with fireworks)		The Piper J-3 Cub is a simple, lightweight American light aircraft. It's known for being easy to fly and affordable.	A Piper J-3 Cub.
MiG-15		The MiG-15 was a Soviet jet fighter that was very successful in the Korean War. It was one of the first jets with swept wings for high speeds.	A Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15.
Otto the Helicopter	Schweizer S300	Otto is a light utility helicopter often used for training or agriculture. It's known for being cost-effective.	Otto the Helicopter.
P-51 Mustang	North American P-51 Mustang 'Contrary Mary' P-51D Mustang 'Miss Helen'	The P-51 Mustang was a famous American long-range fighter aircraft used in World War II and the Korean War.	A P-51 Mustang.
Boeing P-8A Poseidon	Boeing P-8A Poseidon	The P-8 Poseidon is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft used by navies around the world. It's based on the civilian Boeing 737.	A Boeing P-8A Poseidon.
Pitts S2S	Pitts Special	The Pitts Special is a series of light aerobatic biplanes. They have won many competitions since their first flight in 1944.	Pitts Specials.
RAF Tucano	Short Tucano	The Short Tucano is a two-seat turboprop trainer aircraft built in Northern Ireland. It's a licensed version of a Brazilian plane.	An RAF Tucano.
Red Arrows	BAE Systems Hawk	The Red Arrows are the official aerobatic display team of the Royal Air Force. They are famous for their amazing formation flying.	A BAE Systems Hawk in Red Arrows livery.
Republic P47 Thunderbolt 'Nellie'	Republic P-47 Thunderbolt	The P-47 Thunderbolt was a heavy fighter aircraft from World War II. It was also used as a fighter-bomber for ground attacks.	A Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.
Saab J35 Draken	Saab J35 Draken	The Saab 35 Draken was a Swedish fighter-interceptor plane. It was one of the first combat aircraft in Western Europe to fly faster than Mach 2.	A Saab J35 Draken.
Great War Display Team	Six WW1 Fighters	This team performs with replica fighter planes from World War I. They started in 1988 and were originally called The Wombats.	The Great War Display Team.
Firefly's	Slingsby T67 Firefly	The Slingsby T67 Firefly is a two-seat aerobatic training aircraft. It's built in Yorkshire, England.	Fireflys in formation.
Supermarine Spitfire	Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXb Supermarine Spitfire Mk1XT 'Grace' G-LFIX 'ML407' Supermarine Spitfire TR IX Supermarine Spitfire X1X PS853 Vickers Supermarine Spitfire X1X PS853 – G-RRGN	The Supermarine Spitfire is a famous British single-seat fighter aircraft from World War II. Many different versions were built.	A Supermarine Spitfire.
Strikemaster Pair	BAC Strikemaster	The BAC 167 Strikemaster is a British jet-powered training and light attack aircraft. It was developed from the BAC Jet Provost trainer.	A BAC Strikemaster.
Team Raven	Van's Aircraft RV-8	Team Raven flies Van's RV-8 aircraft. These are popular homebuilt aircraft known for their performance.	Team Raven's RV-8.
The Blades	Extra 300LPs and an Extra 330SC	The Blades were a British civilian aerobatic team. They were known as the "world's only aerobatic airline" and were a full-time team.	The Blades aerobatic team.
Tigers Parachute Display Team	NA	The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team is a freefall parachute team from the British Army. They perform amazing skydiving displays.	The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team.
Twisters	Silence Twister	The Silence Twister is a German ultralight aircraft. It's designed for people to build themselves from plans or kits.	Silence Twister aircraft.
Vampires FB.52 and T.55	De Havilland Vampire FB.52 and T.55	The de Havilland Vampire was a British jet fighter. It was the second jet fighter used by the Royal Air Force.	A de Havilland Vampire.

Festival Incidents

2011 Heavy Rain

The first day of the 2011 festival was cancelled because of very heavy rain and flooding. About 50mm of rain fell that day.

2011 Red Arrows Accident

During the 2011 Air Festival, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, a pilot with the Red Arrows team, died. His plane crashed in Throop after a display. It was found that he lost consciousness due to the strong forces of flying, just before the impact.

2018 Jet Suit Landing

In 2018, during a demonstration of a jet suit by Gravity Industries, the pilot, Dr Angelo Grubisic, landed in the sea shortly after taking off. He was not hurt and was brought to shore by lifeguards.

2021 Biplane Accident

During the 2021 festival, a Boeing A75N1 (PT17) Stearman biplane crashed into the sea in Poole Harbour. This plane was part of the AeroSuperBatics wing-walking display. The pilot, David Barrell, had to land in the water because the aircraft lost power. The pilot and the wing-walker, Kirsten Pobjoy, had only minor injuries. An investigation found that a metal strap supporting an oil pipe failed, stopping oil from reaching the engine. AeroSuperBatics returned to the festival in 2022.

2022 Drone Seizures

On the first day of the 2022 festival, Dorset Police took control of three drones. These drones were being flown in restricted airspace, which is against the rules set by the Civilian Aviation Authority. Flying drones in such areas can be dangerous.

2023 Nearby Investigation

Before the 2023 festival, police were investigating an unrelated incident near the festival site. This meant that one access route to the beach was closed off. The festival organizers worked with the police, and the festival itself was not affected by the investigation.

See also

• Bournemouth Aviation Museum
• List of air show accidents and incidents in the 21st century