The RAF Chinook is due to display on both days
This is a free event along the seafront and in the air above Weston Bay. Once a single-day event, it was extended to 2 days in 2014.
Weston-super-Mare marks Armed Forces Weekend at the same time as the airshow. Armed Forces Display Teams, Cadet Forces, military and civilian bands come together to celebrate the armed forces and the contribution they make.
North Somerset Council organises the Weston Air Festival in partnership with Weston-super-Mare Town Council and the Weston Business Improvement District.
Aircraft are listed in the table.
| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Due to fly. All both days except Red Arrows (Sunday) and Sea Fury (Saturday) | |
| Red Arrows (Sunday only) | |
| Chinook (RAF) | |
| Grob Tutor (RAF) | |
| BBMF Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane | |
| Great War Display Team | |
| Strikemaster Mk82A G-SOAF | |
| Team Raven | |
| Gazelle Helicopter pair | |
| Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers | |
| Calidus Autogyro, Peter Davies | |
| Slingsby T67 Firefly | |
 | Hawker Sea Fury T20 (Navy Wings) (Cancelled - oil leak) |
| AT 6D Texan (Navy Wings Associate)(replaces the Sea Fury T20) | |
| Richard Goodwin | |
 | Twirlybatics, Pitts Special G-TWRL, Corrine Dennis |
| All appearances are subject to technical, weather and other constraints | |
Due to the wind direction, there was not a balloon ascent from the beach Saturday evening or Sunday morning and because of wind speeds there was also no Night Glow on Saturday. A tethered glow was, however, possible to end the event on Sunday evening.
| Timetable | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Saturday | Sunday |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Static helicopters arrive | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Rich Goodwin Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers RAF Chinook RAF Tutor | Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Calidus Autogyro Rich Goodwin Gazelle Squadron |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Calidus Autogyro AT 6D Texan T-67 Firefly Strikemaster | T-67 Firefly RAF Red Arrows RAF Chinook |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Battle of Britain Memorial Flight | Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers RAF Tutor Strikemaster Twirlybatics |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Great War DisplayTeam Twirlybatics Gazelle Squadron Team Raven | Great War Display Team Team Raven |
| Displays will not necessarily be in the listed order within their timeslots. All timings are subject to operational, weather and other constraints | ||
The Strikemaster: popular in 2016 & 2017
This is a free event along the seafront and in the air above Weston Bay. Once a single-day event, it was extended to 2 days in 2014.
Weston-super-Mare marks Armed Forces Weekend at the same time as the airshow. Armed Forces Display Teams, Cadet Forces, military and civilian bands come together to celebrate the armed forces and the contribution they make.
The headline display was again the RAF Red Arrows. The other RAF teams supporting the centenary celebrations and the event were the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with the Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfire and Hurricane and the noisy Eurofighter Typhoon.
There were spectacular aerobatics from Twirlybatics in a Pitts Special; more light aerobatics from Team Raven, even lighter rotary action from the Autogyro and aerobatics with girls on the wings from AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers. Vintage jet action came from the Strikemaster and a very rare display from the Red Bull's Bolkow BO-105 helicopter was a major attraction for aircraft enthusiasts. The flying list is summarised in the table.
Several helicopters: a Royal Navy Merlin, Westland Whirlwind, Bristol 171 Sycamore, AS-550 Fennec from the Danish Air Force and a Westland Gazelle were on static display.
There was an opening parade, led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, on the Beach Lawns, next to the seafront, to support the Armed Forces Day events. As well as flying and Armed Forces Day events, visitors enjoyed giant inflatables, a fun fair, trade stands, simulators, mini tanks, military exhibitions and displays, many charity and service support organisations.
North Somerset Council organises the Weston Air Festival in partnership with Weston-super-Mare Town Council and the Weston Business Improvement District.
| Provisional Flying Order | ||
|---|---|---|
| Slot | Saturday | Sunday |
| 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Typhoon Team Raven Autogyro Mustang | Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfire, Hurricane Slingsby Firefly Strikemaster Bolkow Bo-105 |
| 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Gazelle Sqn Twirlybatics Bolkow Bo-105 Strikemaster | Mustang Autogyro Catalina Red Arrows |
| 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Slingsby Firefly Catalina Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfire, Hurricane | Wingwalkers Team Raven |
| 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Wingwalkers Red Arrows | Twirlybatics Gazelle Sqn Typhoon |
| Approximate and subject to change | ||
You can see the aircraft from many points along the coast but the main flying line is to the left of the pier as you face the sea. The planes will be at their lowest in front of Marine Parade, between the Premier Inn and where Uphill Road North becomes Beach Road.
For an alternative view try Brean Down, a National Trust peninsular south of the town (use postcode TA8 2RS in the sat nav., then walk), from where you can enjoy a higher viewpoint, watching at the aircraft with Weston-super-Mare as a backdrop.
| Aircraft - all are due to fly on both days | |
|---|---|
| Due to fly (tap / hover over icon for more detail) | |
| Red Arrows | |
| Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF) | |
| Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfire, Hurricane | |
| Team Raven | |
| Catalina | |
| P-51D Mustang (Hangar 11) | |
| Strikemaster | |
| Westland Gazelle x2 (Gazelle Squadron) | |
| Slingsby T67 Firefly | |
| Twirlybatics Pitts S-1S Special | |
| Bolkow Bo-105 (Flying Bulls) | |
| Autogyro | |
| Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers (2) | |
| All appearances are subject to technical, weather and other constraints | |
The Strikemaster was back in 2017
This is a free event along the seafront and in the air above Weston Bay. Once a single-day event, it was extended to 2 days in 2014.
Weston-super-Mare marks Armed Forces Weekend at the same time as the airshow. Armed Forces Display Teams, Cadet Forces, military and civilian bands came together to celebrate the armed forces and the contribution they make.
This year's show was headlined by the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Last year's favourites, the Strikemaster and Rich Goodwin's incomparable display in his much-altered Pitts S-2S 'Muscle Biplane' were both back.
It was possible to enjoy, too, some very close flying and sparkling aerobatics from the Trig Team in their two Pitts Specials; from Team Raven in their four Vans RVs and solo aerobatics from Mark Jefferies in an Extra 330. Aerobatics from different size teams - solo, pairs and fours; and in different aircraft, all in brilliant sunshine.
As well as flying and Armed Forces Day events there was arena entertainment, giant inflatables, a fun fair, trade stands, simulators, mini tanks, military exhibitions and displays, many charity and service support organisations.
North Somerset Council organises the Weston Air Festival in partnership with Weston-super-Mare Town Council and the Weston Business Improvement District.
| Aircraft All both days unless noted | |
|---|---|
| Due to fly (tap / hover over icon for more detail) | |
| Red Arrows | |
| Eurofighter Typhoon | |
| Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster also originally scheduled but unserviceable) | |
| Richard Goodwin 'Muscle Pitts' and Strikemaster Mk82A | |
| Lauren Richardson | |
| Catalina | |
| Westland HAR.10 Whirlwind (Search and Rescue demo) CANCELLED Sunday | |
| Mark Jefferies | |
| Team Raven | |
| Trig Team | |
| Otto 'Chopperbatics' | |
| Gazelle Squadron. 1 flying, 1 static | |
| Blades (Sunday only) | |
| Autogyro | |
| Mustang 'Tall in the Saddle' and MiG-15. Solos on Saturday. Flying together on Sunday | |
| Wingwalker (single) (Sunday only) | |
| Slingsby T67 Firefly G-BNSR | |
| Cancelled or withdrawn | |
| The Sea Vixen was damaged during a wheels-up landing following hydraulic failure at Yeovilton on 27th May | |
| Swordfish. Unserviceable for the whole of 2017 season. | |
| All appearances are subject to technical, weather and other constraints | |
Eurofighter Typhoon
There is invariably a fair amount of military involvement in airshows, so combining the local show with armed forces weekend is a smart move. The events support each other and share the side-shows, such as trade or charity stalls and family entertainment.
The Air Festival at Weston-super-Mare has grown over the years. Since 2014 it has been held over the two-day weekend. The development of the show has brought with it an expansion in the number of displays, including the Red Arrows for this and the previous three years and, for the first time in 2016, the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Despite the regulatory issues since the 2015 Shoreham incident, there were also civilian jet displays from the Gnat Display Team and the NWMAS (Mark Petrie's) Strikemaster.
Unfortunately there were some cancellations, too. The chilly, sometimes breezy conditions on Saturday turned to damper, ultimately wet weather on Sunday, causing many of the scheduled flying displays to be delayed and some ultimately cancelled. In particular it was disappointing not to see the much-anticipated Sea Vixen; another vintage jet, the MiG-15 and the very popular B-17 'Sally B'.
Despite these setbacks, the remaining displays (listed in the table) were hugely appreciated by a substantial crowd. (... continued below the table)
| Aircraft | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | ||
| Red Arrows | Saturday | |
| Eurofighter Typhoon (RAF) | Saturday | |
| Gnat Display Team | Saturday | |
| Yak-50 G-JYAK | Saturday | |
| Westland Wasp | Saturday | |
| Catalina | Both days | |
| Beech 18 G-BKGM | Saturday | |
| Strikemaster | Saturday | |
| Hawker Hurricane (BHHH) | Saturday | |
| Autogyro | Both days | |
| Gerald Cooper (Sbach 300) | Both days | |
| Stampe SV.4 x3 | Saturday | |
| BBMF Spitfire TE311 & Hurricane P2865 | Saturday | |
| Mustang | Both days | |
| Team Raven | Saturday | |
| Breitling Wingwalkers | Saturday | |
| Lauren Richardson (Pitts) | Sunday | |
| Static aircraft | ||
| RAF Eurocopter Squirrel ZJ251 (Red Arrows) | Saturday & Sunday | |
| Eurocopter AS-350B2 Ecureuil G-VGMG | Saturday | |
| Westland Gazelle G-CBGZ | Saturday | |
| Robinson R44 G-OHAM | Saturday | |
| Westland Whirlwind | Saturday | |
| Bell Griffin | Sunday | |
It is also worth visiting the static aircraft park at airshows such as Weston-super-Mare. Perhaps the most interesting was the only remaining airworthy Westland Whirlwind in the bright yellow of Search and Rescue helicopters of the age and a welcome visit from Westland Gazelle G-CBGZ, both on the lawn for the Saturday only.
Seaside shows do depend to a great degree on the 3 S's: sea, sun and superb flying. Weston-super-Mare has not been particularly lucky with the 'sun' part recently. In 2015 the sea mist almost closed in on the Red Arrows and in 2016 they were limited to a rolling display, whilst other displays battled with very challenging conditions not only at the show but between the show and their home base. It is to the credit of the pilots and the organisers that, despite mother nature's efforts, so many displays did go ahead. In 2017 it is Weston-super-Mare's turn for blue skies.
Use sat Nav BS23 1BE until you get close, but ignore the sat nav in favour of local directions signs as soon as you see them. There are links to route planners in the Travel Advice column if you prefer to plan ahead or don't have sat nav.
National Express have coach services to Weston-super-Mare from Bristol (Service 040) and Leeds, Sheffield and the South-West (Services 324 and 320).
Buses to Weston-super-Mare from surrounding areas are run by First Group. Near the date they may run special Airshow services. Local services within Weston-super-Mare and nearby villages are offered by Crossville Motor Services.
Weston-Super-Mare station is about 10 minutes walk from the seaside.
The variety of rail tickets and fares can be very confusing. Trainline and Raileasy web sites list all ticket and fare options for the time and day of travel you choose but they both levy an admin fee. Click either of the blue ticket agency names to go to their web site.
It is best to book as far as possible in advance. This is not only because nearby hotels and guest houses tend get booked up well before the date of an airshow but also because prices can be better when you book early online.
There are plenty of booking agencies. We find that many of the well known ones are better at finding hotels from international or larger UK chains and may suggest hotels in main towns or cities quite a distance from the show site.
Expedia lists a good selection of smaller, as well as bigger, hotels and will find accommodation in villages and small towns as well as the main centres. They also give, and take, Nectar points.
Click the blue Expedia name for a list of hotels and guest houses near the show. The venue is already built into the link but when the list comes up you do have to enter your dates and adjust the number of rooms and guests, if necessary.
There are Premier Inn hotels on the seafront, in town and a third within 4 miles.
A full 7 day Weston-Super-Mare weather forecast from the UK Met Office
The Met office seven-day forecast includes maximum, minimum and "feels like" temperatures, the likelihood of rain, wind direction, gusts and visibility: the latter can have an impact on the viability of displays.
The BBC's five-day forecast has overall conditions including temperatures, UV range and a description that may help to determine how pleasant the day will be for the visitor.
Click the blue-text link to go to the forecast. The location is already built into the links.
Cancelled
Weston Air Festival & Armed Forces Weekend
Not required. This is a free seaside show
Sat Nav BS23 1BE
For links to travel and route planning web sites, click the 'Getting there' tab
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