RNAS Culdrose Air Day

The 2010 RNAS Culdrose Air Day takes place on July 28th.

Fast jets, helicopters and military aircraft will demonstrate their capabilities as they zoom across the skies, and visitors will be able to meet aircrew who have served on frontline squadrons all over the world. New pilots who have just earned their “Wings”, experienced members of the Search and Rescue Squadron, and aircrews of Front Line Squadrons recently returned from operations in the Middle East, will all be present to explain how they operate their aircraft.

As well as an exciting, action-packed flying display, there will also be lots of things to see, touch and try on the ground. Visitors can climb onboard aircraft, take a simulated ride in a helicopter, be winched into the air or jump into the driving seat of a military fire engine. For those who prefer just to watch, there will be a full arena programme, with Field Gun Competitions, motorbike displays, parachute drops, demonstrations by Sea Cadets, and much more. All of the Naval Air Squadrons and units will be on display, ready to talk about what they do and helping the public to try out specially devised activities and challenges.

Also... A long-awaited extra, the Avro Vulcan, will be making a rare experience at the 2010 Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose Air Day. The Vulcan provided the RAF’s nuclear deterrent weapon system during the Cold War, took part in the famous “Black Buck” raids in the Falklands War and was in service from 1956 until retirement in 1984. The aircraft which will fly during Air Day has been carefully restored and its distinctive triangular silhouette and roar of its four Olympus jet engines makes the sight of the Avro Vulcan a hard one to forget.

Visitors will be able to try a variety of activities around the Air Station including tackling obstacle courses in survival equipment, taking to the controls of helicopter simulators, plus all the fun of a traditional fairground. However, Air Day is not just for the children, there is plenty to do for all ages - it’s well worth taking a day off work for!

Advance tickets at a reduced price (£10:00 for adults and £25:00 for families) are now on sale online (www.ticketzone.co.uk), by phone (08444 99 99 55) and through the following outlets:

• Selected Tourist Information Centres across Devon & Cornwall
• Flambards
• Cancer Funding for Cornwall shop (Helston)
• Gweek Seal Sanctuary
• Culdrose Public Viewing Enclosure
• Culdrose Community Centre

All advance ticket holders will automatically enter into a prize draw to win a visit to RNAS Culdrose’s Sea King Simulator and take control of a helicopter similar to some currently serving in Afghanistan. The multi-million pound, state of the art Simulator is used to train aircrew for their overseas deployments and is not usually open to members of the public – this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.*

* One ticket holder plus one guest only will be allowed entry to the simulator and at least one person must be aged 18 years, or over.

For further information, including updates on the list of participating aircraft, please visit our website at www.culdroseairday.co.uk