A soaring success in the Newcastle skies

A soaring success in the Newcastle skies

15 August 2012

TENS of thousands of people flocked to Newcastle at the weekend for the third annual Festival of Flight.

The event took at American theme to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the GI’s to Newcastle and this was embraced by the local business community who created window displays and dressed in themed costumes.

Among the visitors to Newcastle was the American Consul, Gregory Burton, who was welcomed by Down Council chairman, Mickey Coogan. The chairman also welcomed representatives of B/E Aerospace, the principal sponsors of the event.

Mr. Coogan paid tribute to the members of the emergency and voluntary services who assisted in the planning and delivery of the Festival and to Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and the independent businesses in Newcastle who contributed financially and in kind to the event.

Before the arrival of the airborne entertainment, visitors were able to view a display of army vehicles by the Ulster Military Vehicle Club and model aircraft by the Ulster Model Aircraft Club in Donard Park

From noon to dusk the promenade was brought alive with U105 Roadshow and the many American themed street entertainers who wove their way through the thronged promenade. Among the highlights of the on-land entertainment was the Junior Glees’ performance and a special rendition of Lakme’s The Flower Duet by Bronagh McKillick and Carol-Anne McKay.

Although the weather was warm, the hazy conditions were not ideal for full height displays and all display teams had to perform flat line displays. The first into the Bay was the locally built Tucano as it twisted and twirled in front of the crowds gathered along the promenade.

The Irish Air Corps with their three Pilatus PC9’s returned to the festival and the added commentary from Colonel Gerry O’Sullivan, of the Irish Civil Defence was a special addition to their normal display. This was swiftly followed by the aptly named ‘Smoking Cow’ with its fresian paintwork and smoking plumes.

Next on the flight schedule was iconic WW11 Super-marine Spitfire flown by Peter Tiechman. As he disappeared from view the crowd welcomed Europe’s most spectacular civilian display team, The Aerostars, who provided a 15 minutes of amazing aerobatics in their Russian YAK’s.

All of this was just the warm up to the speed and sound of the fast jet section, the first of which was the RAF Hawk followed by the Hasker Hunter in iconic colourful livery.

The finale was the Typhoon which delivered eight minutes of high octane display. The aircraft thundered into Dundrum Bay accompanied by high velocity and high volume after-burners.

As it blazed out of the bay the stage was being prepared for an evening of swing by James Huish and his band performing evening from Buble to Sinatra.