Countdown To The Red Arrows Display At Newcastle

Festival of Flight In One Cool Weekend’, sponsored by B/E Aerospace, and certainly the biggest event in their calendar. Neil Cairns, Vice President and Managing Director of B/E Aerospace located in nearby Kilkeel, the headline sponsor of the Festival, is looking forward to seeing the Red Arrows in fantastic flight form over County Down.  However, he is equally aware of the benefits which increased visitor numbers will deliver at ground level.  He said, “We are delighted to be supporting a fantastic, free day out for all the family and equally pleased to know that the event will give an important lift to tourism businesses in the region. “I’m sure that many of those who come along to enjoy the excitement and spectacle of the Red Arrows and other aerial displays will be inspired to make return trips to enjoy the area at more relaxed pace.  The economic benefits will therefore continue long after the coloured vapour trails have disappeared.” [caption id="attachment_26008" align="alignleft" width="267" caption="The "Festival of Flight One Cool Weekend" will be another memorable few days to mark the summer. Don't miss the Red Arrows and the fantastic band line up and other events."][/caption] Colouring the skies and drawing roars of approval from the crowds below will be the nine-strong Red Arrows Display aircraft. Reds 1 to 5 form the front section of the display, known as ‘Enid’, and Reds 6 to 9 make up the rear section of the formation. The Synchro Pair, Reds 6 and 7, perform the highly popular opposition manoeuvres during the second half of the display sequence.  If that sounds a little complex, spectators will get moment by moment explanations of what is happening in the skies from the show’s flight director Jeff Salter and Red Arrows controllers, Red 10. While the aerial manoeuvrings of the Red Arrows form an undoubted highlight of the Festival of Flight In One Cool Weekend, there are lots of other magnificent men (and women!) and their flying machines to gasp at and admire. The appearance of the acclaimed Patrouille Reva display team from Colmar Hossan, close of Strasbourg, will give the event a decidedly international flavour.  Their Acro-eze aircraft is a variant of the Vari-eze created by ex-NASA wonder designer, Burt Ratan.  There will also be a welcome return by the Irish Air Corps, while an appearance of the Mustang P51D ‘Jumpin’ Jacques’ will delight spotters.  It is an attractive example of the famous escort US fighter plane and now forms part of the impressive Hanger 11 collection based in North Weald.  This majestic aircraft is in almost pristine original condition and has never had a major rebuild since it first took to the air in 1944. The local heroes of the Air and Sea Rescue Service will be staging a rescue display in front of Newcastle Promenade and will have a static display at nearby Donard Park Playing Field Festival of of Flight programme The weekend entertainment continues into the night with the outstanding pop party of the summer at the playing fields, Newcastle, featuring over 17 artists including  The Feeling, Wonderland, Wretch 32, Colenso Parade, Relish and Microlip and hosted by the Cool FM DJ’s, from an amazing £19.99 (+ booking fees). On Sunday 7th August there will be another fabulous Cool Roadshow and family entertainment from 12 noon on the promenade with street entertainers and side shows.  To complete the Cool Weekend, PLM promotions have announced further artists to the line up including Hard-Fi and Ed Sheeran along with Chipmunk, Frankmusik, The Reason 4, AJ, Silhouette, and another fabulous ticket price of £14.99 (+ booking fees). On Saturday 6th August ample free parking will be provided at various locations close to Newcastle. FREE park and ride facilities will operate from Northfield on the Castlewellan Road, so why not take advantage of a stress free day and ‘Follow the Arrows’ to Newcastle. The Festival of Flight In One Cool Weekend hosts over 40 events and lots of them are free for all the family to enjoy. Visit www.downdc.gov.uk or www.facebook/DownFestivals.com for further festival information. To obtain your FREE copy of the programme call the Festival Office or telephone 028 4372 2222.  One Cool Weekend concert tickets and full line-up of artists are available at  www.ticketmaster.ie and www.coolfm.co.uk .]]>