The Guernsey Battle of Britain Air Display is taking place tomorrow with a later than normal display scheduled over the St Peter Port skyline at dusk.
It’s the first time the display is taking place in the evening, with a goal to make it more accessible for those who wouldn’t be able to see it during the daytime.
“The Guernsey Air Display has been enjoyed by thousands for over 60 years,” said event organiser Natalie Davidson.
“By moving the display to the evening and having food and entertainment on offer, we are really excited for the whole community to come together to enjoy this fantastic spectacle.”
The display is almost entirely reliant on private funding from local businesses, corporate donors, and individual ‘Friends of the Guernsey Air Display’, alongside a grant and underwrite from the States of Guernsey.
This year’s show will feature the popular RAF Red Arrows, in their BAE Systems Hawk T1, representing the speed, agility, and precision of the Royal Air Force.
The display will also feature the only Hawker Hurricane that took part in the Battle of Britain which is still airborne, a Harvard G-NWHF, which is a Canadian-built advanced trainer aircraft constructed in 1954, and the Eurofighter Typhoon, the highly capable and agile multi-role combat aircraft used for air policing, peacekeeping, and high-intensity conflict.
There’ll also be a modified Pitts S2S biplane with two jet turbines in addition to its piston engine, a unique, custom-built aircraft designed for aerobatic displays.
The Airborne Pyrotechnics team, which consists of two Grob 109b motor gliders and a Silence Twister aerobatic aircraft, will also be lighting up the skies. They’ll be equipped with coloured LEDs, smoke systems, and pyrotechnics for the night display.
Barry Neal, a Guernsey Air Display Foundation Councillor, and the Flying Display Director, said they’re proud to be offering such a display for the public.
“The Red Arrows are stalwarts of the display and we’re so proud to have been able to secure the in-demand Typhoon jet.”
He continued: “James Brown’s Hurricane will provide a fitting Battle of Britain element. Crowds will also be excited to see the Pitts Biplane return to this year’s event with gravity defying aerobatics, before a fireworks conclusion by Airborne Pyrotechnics.”
In addition to the flying display, a food village will be set up at the end of Crown Pier, featuring a list of local caterers.
The RAF Typhoon PR trailer and RAF Recruitment Team will also be located there.
The ‘no-drone-zone’
The Display Director has stated that any drone activity in the vicinity of the display, anywhere in the Bailiwick, will cause the display to be suspended immediately.
In fact, flying a drone during the air show can lead to prosecution, a possible fine, and a confiscation of the drone.
“The potential catastrophic outcome a drone could have on an aircraft has been well documented in just about every available media outlet,” said Mr Neal.
“The legal permission I receive from the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation to run the display requires me to suspend the display if there is any drone activity in the vicinity of the display – anywhere in the Bailiwick – and for me to refer the matter to the police.”
He concluded: “Drone operators are reminded that should any drones be flown anywhere in the Bailiwick, the display will have to be stopped.”
Boat owners in the QEII marina and harbour are asked to be familiar with the restricted zone and to have cleared the area by 18.25, and the end of Crown Pier will be closed to the public from 18.00 today, but the main car park will remain open.
