06/10/2008

Red Arrows Swoop On Centenary

The famous Red Arrows aerobatic display team (pictured) took to the skies over east Belfast at the weekend to help Bombardier Aerospace, (Shorts) celebrate its centenary in style

Despite poor weather, crowds enjoyed an amazing aerial display by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.

The programme of activities at the Queen's Island facility was a highlight in the company's calendar of events marking a century of aircraft innovation.

The Red Arrows took to the sky at 12.30 pm to perform an aerobatic display while some staff also got the opportunity to meet the Red Arrows pilots and to take part in a flight simulation.

On static display at Family Day were a number of Bombardier aircraft including a CRJ900 regional jet, a Flybe Q400 regional turboprop, and Learjet 45 and Challenger 604 business jets.

A centenary exhibition, charting Short Brothers' advances in aviation over the past 100 years, was also on show including a replica of the Wright Flyer, the first powered aircraft.

A spokesperson from the company recalled that it was an order for six Wright Flyers that the three Short brothers received from the pioneers of flight, Orville and Wilbur Wright, which helped to launch the company shortly after it was set up in 1908.

This first serial production line for aircraft led to Short Brothers being described as the "first manufacturers of aircraft in the world".

"What better way to mark an extraordinary century of aeronautical achievement than with a salute from the Red Arrows," said Michael Ryan, Vice-President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast.

"This is all about celebrating with our employees and their families our unique heritage of pioneering development as well as looking forward to exciting times in the future.

"Pioneering innovation will continue through, for example, our participation in the CSeries programme, which was launched in July and for which Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast will design and manufacture the wings in advanced composites."

He also said that the CSeries airliner will entail substantial investment in our facilities, equipment and skills in Belfast.

"We are delighted in this our centenary year, to be part of the team that is bringing to market a family of commercial aircraft that will have so many operational and environmental advantages," he concluded.

(BMcC)

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