Red arrows in Weston this summer for air day UPDATED

Weston Air Day is taking off again this summer with spectacular airborne displays. 

The magnicent aerial show on Saturday, June 22, is being organised by North Somerset Council and will feature a host of famous aviation names filling the skies above Weston Bay.

Topping the bill will be the world-famous Red Arrows display team flying their trademark diamond nine formation in their Hawk trainers. 

The show will also feature aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Falcons parachute team and a number of other aerobatic displays.

North Somerset Council executive member for tourism Felicity Baker, said: "It's with enormous pleasure that we're bringing the air day back to Weston given its association with the resort for more than 30 years.

"This is the latest addition to what promises to be a packed summer of events on Weston's seafront.

"We really hope people will come and enjoy the event and spend the weekend in the resort enjoying our many and varied attractions."

The line-up features the best in the world of aviation display and plenty of activities on the ground to keep the whole family entertained.

The council is keen to hear from anyone wishing to be part of the flying or on-the-ground activities on the day.

Darren Fairchild, of the council events team, said: "We're looking for all sorts of entertainment, especially anything that's military or aviation based, as well as arts, crafts, and catering. 

"We're planning on having plenty of activities on the Beach Lawns to keep the crowds entertained in between the displays. 

"We're also looking for static military and aviation exhibits."

Anyone wanting to be part of the show should contact the events team on 01934 427249 or email events@n-somerset.gov.uk.

STOP PRESS: Another team has been unveiled as taking part in the Weston Air Day.

The event, on Saturday, June 22, is being organised by North Somerset Council and will feature a host of famous aviation names filling the skies above Weston Bay.

Topping the bill will be the world-famous Red Arrows display team flying their trademark diamond nine formation in their Hawk trainers. 

The show will also feature aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Falcon's parachute team and a number of other aerobatic displays.

The latest team to confirm they will be taking part is the Trig Aerobatic Team. 

This team brings vintage glamour and dynamic close-formation flying to the skies.  

Richard Grace and Dave Puleston make up the team, in their Pitts Special S-1D biplanes.

These aircraft, designed in the 1940s, remain popular due to their high power and low weight ratio. 

Richard said: "The rate of roll and general manoeuvrability of the Pitts makes it a great display aircraft, with a top speed of only 200 mph this allows us to fly a tight, compact display where the action really does take place right in front of the crowd line."

The team is known for their extreme close formation flying, their aircraft often flying only five feet apart! 

The team's  manoeuvres subject Richard and Dave to gravitational (g) forces of up to +6 g and -4g. 

Precision flight under such conditions underlines the extreme skill and professionalism of both pilots.

Weston Air Day is a free event, taking place between 11am-6pm on the Saturday on the seafront. 

Find out more about the event, sponsorship opportunities and trade stands click HERE.  www.n-somerset.gov.uk/airday.

STOP PRESS: The line-up for Weston Air Day 2013 continues to grow with the latest news that the last flying Vulcan V Bomber in the world will be taking to the skies at the event on Saturday June 22.

This iconic aircraft is a huge hit with visitors whenever it flies, and promises to be a firm crowd favourite. It is rumoured that this could be the last year to see the Vulcan flying in UK skies, so this will be a rare and evocative occasion.

The Vulcan Bomber was used by the RAF from 1956 to 1984, and was last used operationally on the famous Black Buck raid on Stanley Airfield during the Falklands conflict in 1982, shortly before it retired from service.

The Vulcan joins an expanding line-up of aviation stars including the bill-topping RAF Red Arrows display team, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Dancing Tiger Moth, a delightful 1930s bi-plane.

The day-long event is being organised by North Somerset Council and promises something for everyone with a host of ground-based action and attractions as well as the airborne displays.

Visitors to the event are being encouraged to arrive early to make the most of the day. 

The current provisional list of participants is:

The Red Arrows; RAF Parachute Team, the Falcons; RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; RAF advanced turboprop trainer, the Tucano; the mighty AVRO Vulcan V Bomber; Pitts Special aerobatics display team, Team Trig; The Dancing Tiger Moth 1930s biplane; The mainstay of the Royal Navy, the solo Lynx helicopter; weird but wonderful, the kids favourite - the Gyrocopter.