Pageant of Power takes to the skies
In addition to the adrenalin-fuelled action on the ground, weekend visitors to the 2011 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (15-17 July; cpop.co.uk) will be treated to a sensational air show featuring an eclectic mix of airborne entertainment, including RAF helicopters, stunt pilots, warbirds and wing-walkers.
In conjunction with founding-sponsors Eurocopter UK and Breitling, organisers of this year’s event have arranged a Pageant air show, which will be performed on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July. Visitors can even take to the skies themselves by booking a discount-price seat on one of the event’s helicopter pleasure flights.
The airborne entertainment taking to the Cheshire skies above the Pageant will include:
Great War Display Team
Up to 10 replica warbirds of the WW1 era will fill the sky and complete a simulated dogfight. Famous British biplanes, like the SE5a and Sopwith Pup, will take on a Fokker Triplane and Junkers monoplane.
Tri-services competition
Flying instructors from the RAF, Royal Navy and Army based at nearby RAF Shawbury’s Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS), will complete a helicopter agility test based on the World Championship format. Piloting an AS350 Squirrel, they will cover a challenging course while trailing a ‘boat defender’ on a 30ft line – against the clock and with penalties for striking any obstacles. To sign-off its display, the trio from the DHFS will flour-bomb a target just 50 metres from the crowd line.
Abarth Events Team
Four-time British Aerobatic Champion Mark Jeffries will stun onlookers with extraordinary stunt manoeuvres in his 320hp, 220 mph Extra 300 SC high-tech monoplane, sponsored by Abarth.
RAF Valley search and rescue display
A ‘search and rescue’ Bell 412 training helicopter from RAF Valley will perform a ‘live’ rescue from the estate’s Deer Park Mere, just 100 metres from the crowd.
Red Hawks Duo
A pair of VW-Beetle powered 39hp motor-gliders flying gracefully and so quietly that the display is choreographed to The Verve’s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’.
Breitling Wing-Walkers
Europe’s only wing-walking display team will provide a perfect finale to the show. A pair of vintage Boeing Stearman biplanes will perform a breathtaking sequence of aerobatics, sometimes pulling 4G at speeds up to 150 mph, as the intrepid female wing walkers perform acrobatics.
Static Displays
Throughout the Pageant, numerous military, private and corporate helicopters will be exhibited in the static display zone. Visitors of all ages will be encouraged to climb aboard the aircraft and Helicentre staff will be available to discuss all-things-helicopter.
Pleasure flights
Pageant visitors will also be able to take to the skies themselves to experience this great event from the air and to enjoy stunning views of the countryside and Cholmondeley, Peckforton and Beeston castles. The North West’s leading helicopter provider, Pageant partner Helicentre Liverpool, will be operating pleasure flights each day, departing from the heliport alongside the Castle.
Three passenger seats will be available for each flight in high-performance Robinson R44 Raven 11 helicopters flying at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Flights will cover 10 miles and cost £35 per person – or £30 each for groups of three, a 14 per cent discount. Advanced tickets can be pre-booked online at helicentre.com.
James Hall, Events Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, commented: “This year we will be presenting a remarkable variety of old and modern aircraft, and will concentrate on keeping the flying low in order to position the displays closer to the crowd and give visitors an unprecedented view of the airborne action.
“We will start majestically with the delightful Red Hawk duo, recreate the dogfights of WW1, demonstrate the astonishing talents of modern military helicopters, astound viewers with the aerobatic agility of the Extra 300 and end with unique Breitling Wing-Walkers – keeping spectators’ eyes firmly on the action above, as well as on the ground,” Hall added.
No landing fees
Rotary and fixed-wing aviators are promised a warm welcome at the Pageant – with no landing fees. More than 140 private and corporate helicopters are expected to fly in over the weekend, from two-seater Robinsons to Eurocopter’s unique EC-135 Hermes VIP transport, making this one of Europe’s busiest aerial events.
Private flyers are made especially welcome, with a helipad at the very heart of the site, a 300 metre FATO (final approach and take off) zone, ATC, fire cover and no landing fees.* Fixed wing flyers are welcome at the nearby Sleap and Hawarden airfields.
The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power takes place on the Cholmondeley Estate near Crewe, Cheshire, and is the biggest celebration of power and speed in the country – the only one of its kind in the UK.
The Pageant won the Best Tourist Event in Cheshire in 2010, drawing in more than 50,000 visitors and establishing an impressive reputation as an unbeatable family day out. Ticket booking details and further event information can be found at cpop.co.uk.
