| Airbourne Eastbourne International Air Show |
|
|---|---|
| Location: | Eastbourne |
| Country: | England |
| Type: | Free |
| Held | Every year, August. |
| Operated by: | Eastbourne Borough Council |
| Events | aerobatic displays static displays |
| Website: | Official Site |
Airbourne, also known as Eastbourne International Airshow, is a 4-day international air show run every August in Eastbourne, Sussex, England. Based around a long relationship with the Red Arrows display team, the event features Battle of Britain memorial flights and aircraft from the RAF, USAF and many others.
Started in 1993,[1], the show is run by Eastbourne Borough Council, who claim it contributes to the millions of pounds which tourism bring to the town.[2].
A dedicated FM radio station, "Radio Airbourne", broadcasts on 87.7FM during the event.
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In 2008, Eastbourne Borough Council controversially decided to charge a £5 admission fee, in order to meet the show's rising costs, having failed to find a major sponsor. However, with visitor numbers down on previous years, and the additional cost of security during the event, the organisers were left with a £170k operational loss, and an inquiry was ordered.[3] Five senior members of staff at Eastbourne Borough Council where made redundant in late 2009 as part of a cost-cutting exercise.[4]
The organisers remained confident that there would be an event in 2009, but admitted that lessons would have to be learnt, and the funding of the event reviewed. Council leader David Tutt said: "We will be investigating what went right, what went wrong and looking very seriously at ways of ensuring the event for future years."[5] A 2009 event did take place.
As with any airshow, some of the stunts performed carry a risk to the pilots, and Airbourne has seen accidents of various severity over the years. On 18 August 2000 former Red Arrows pilot Ted Girdler was killed when his Aero L-29 Delfín jet failed to pull up from a diving roll and crashed into the English Channel.[6]