A feast of activities is planned for the public
Airshow organisers have confidently predicted public days will be ‘best yet’
ORGANISERS of the Farnborough International Airshow say this year’s public weekend will be the best ever.
As well as providing a weekend of aviation excellence, Farnborough International is confident the family entertainment on offer promises a day out like no other.
The biennial air show attracts around 120,000 people and has been revamped.
Celebrating 100 years of aviation history and commemorating the centenary of the start of the First World War, this year’s attractions will stem from the Great War and run right through to today’s technology.
On the ground, there will be an entertainment arena where Farnborough Airshow Live! will take place, featuring a whole host of aviation-related programming centred around the show, interviews with pilots, competitions, live commentary and streaming of the air display with facts and information about the aircraft.
Dedicated automotive and retail zones will also showcase the latest in automotive technology from leading manufacturers and the latest fashions from a range of brands.
One of Farnborough International’s newest attractions is the general aviation park, which will feature private and recreational aircraft, as well as helicopters, from the leading manufacturers and distributors in the category.
The Labyrinth of Invention is set to be another major attraction, featuring live actors, special effects and a number of challenges as it takes visitors through an historic journey through the history of aviation.
Guests will also have the chance to get up close to a variety of aircraft on static display along the length of the runway.
Starting at the eastern end of the showground – Gate B – guests will find a vint-age aircraft park including examples of aircraft from the dawn of aviation up to and including the World War I, such as the Sopwith Camel, the Wright Flyer and a Bleriot XI.
Moving along, a collection of US military aircraft will be displayed and, as visitors walk towards the heart of the show, they will find aircraft from every decade of the past 100 years. Autocar will also be presenting a ‘car vs aircraft’ stunt, where a classic three-wheeler will race against a Spitfire.
This year’s five-hour flying display will feature historic aircraft dating back to the Great War alongside modern civil airliners plus thrills from aerobatic display teams, wing walkers and parachute teams. Requests to exhibit aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow reached a record number this year and Farnborough International has confirmed more than 70 aircraft as part of the static line-up and a further 23 for the flying display.
This year’s public weekend takes place on July 19 and 20 and tickets are available from www.farnborough.com.