CROWDS AWED BY AIR
MORE THAN 140,000 people flocked to Bray over the weekend to watch some of the world’s most accomplished aerobatic display teams strut their stuff in the skies over Bray head and the County Wicklow coastline.
This year the two-day spectacle saw some of the world’s finest pilots taking part in the thrilling show.
On Saturday 50,000 people had their eyes glued to the sky for the first day of the show. The crowd were treated to a dazzling display of precision perfect manoeuvres as 12 team acts looped, twirled and zipped across the skyline to a backdrop of live commentary and accompanying music. Supported by main sponsors the Irish Aviation Authority, as well as Wicklow County Council and Bray.ie, the 2016 line-up cements Bray Air Display’s reputation as one of Europe’s best air displays.
One of the show highlights were the Breitling Wingwalkers, the world’s only formation wingwalking display team and another first for the Bray Air Display, who thrilled with a dare-devil display of acrobatics on the top wings of beautiful Boeing Stearman bi-planes – all performed midflight!
Other international acts included the Patrouille Tranchant, a Celtic jet team from Brittany, France flying Fouga aircraft - the first time Fouga aircraft have been displayed in Ireland and the Ravens from the UK. Fans of old-school, aviation glamour were treated to displays by the British Spitfire/Seafire and the Triggs. Italy’s Frecce Tricolori, one of the world’s most experienced and accomplished display groups, comprising 10 jets, put on an awe-inspiring show to close the first day of the two-day aviation spectacle.
On Sunday the number of spectators swelled to more than 90,0000 making this year’s show the most successful yet.
Highlights included both Italy’s Frecce Tricolori and the Red Arrows who were performing at the air show for the first time in its eleven year history.
The Red Arrows team of nine jets in their distinctive red livery, opened Sunday’s event with an amazing display of aerobatics while Italy’s Frecce Tricolori brought the day’s aviation spectacle to a flamboyant finale. In between these world-class displays spectators were treated to astonishing performances of aviation precision from teams across
Ireland and Europe. Spectators along Bray promenade were treated to a total of 14 team displays during the ever popular, free, family event.
Young aviation fan Ben Twomey from Fermoy in Cork got a very special 14th birthday surprise at the Bray Air Display when he was met by Red Arrow Squadron Leader Mike Ling (‘Red Ten’) to wish him a very happy birthday in person. Ben, who was at the event with his parents Sinead and Brian and little brother Sam as well as grandmother Kathleen, blew out the candles on an aeroplane themed cake to a chorus of happy birthday wishes.
Other international acts included the Blades, a team comprised of exRed Arrow pilots and the CityJet’s new SuperJet SSJ100.
Homegrown talent was well repre-