It’s back!

The free Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival – now in its 14th year – has roared into town today until Sunday.

Last year’s air festival pumped just under £50 million into the local economy, attracted around 800,000 visitors from all over the UK and supported upwards of 266 full-time jobs.

Organisers are hoping for similar figures this year as the event welcomes back old favourites including the Red Arrows at 4.30pm each day (1.30pm on Sunday), RAF Typhoon, Chinook and the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as well as the popular night flying.

Other returning favourites include The Blades, Tigers Freefall Team, Royal Navy Black Cat, Firebirds, Otto The Helicopter, Super Pitts Muscle Plane and AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers.

Festival goers can also look forward to a host of other events on land and at sea, including fairground rides, bird of prey displays, bands, fireworks, and trade and food stalls throughout.

Other highlights include:

• A competition between the Royal Navy and the Armed Forces at the Who Dares Gyms on the East Cliff on Saturday and a display of vintage cars on the same day.
• Performances from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines on Sunday 11am-12 noon and the Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony in the Lower Gardens until Saturday at 6.45pm.
• Liberty’s Owls with bird of prey displays in the Lower Gardens until Saturday.
• Unarmed combat demonstrations by the Commando Recruiting Team until Saturday at 6.20pm.
• Sea and Sky Sprint challenge between Sunseeker’s high performance day boat, the Hawk 38, and the aerobatic plane G-JPIT Muscle Bi-Plane, manned by retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, on Saturday and Sunday.

The Spitfire and Typhoon will also meet for electric moments in the sky.

The Spitfire, which has a top speed of about 330 mph, is joined by the Typhoon, which moves faster than the speed of sound at Mach 1.8 or 1381.08 mph, on Friday.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) tent is also back to inspire the next generation.

This year’s STEM exhibitors are: ABP Technologies,  AECC University College, AUB (Arts University Bournemouth), Beagle Aircraft, Centre VR, Draken Europe, IMI Thompson Valves Ltd, Laser Profiles Ltd, Leonardo, Parvalux Electric Motors, RNLI, Rolls-Royce, Spherea Test & Services, Superior Seals, and Yunex.

The Bournemouth Air Festival is organised by BCP Council.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, pictured left, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Place, said: “We want to give our community something to celebrate, and something to be proud of, and we are certainly proud of this year’s line-up.

“Now in its 14^th year, it provides free entertainment over four days against a backdrop of award-winning beaches.

“It’s perfect pocket-friendly entertainment for families.”

A commemorative Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival is now on sale to purchase.

The official Bournemouth Air Festival app can be downloaded on Google play or on the App store for all the updates.

• bournemouthair.co.uk
• All pictures courtesy of Bournemouth Air Festival.