Ready to hit the heights, Pamela McQuoid launches the 2017 Festival of Flight with a perfect replica of the monocraft plane in which engineer Harry Ferguson famously made his first public flight on Newcastle beach back in 1910. Her tribute to the town’s high flying role in aeronautical history helped kick-start this year’s Festival of Flight.

The Newcastle Festival of Flight, sponsored by Rockwell Collins Kilkeel, took place recently.

The 2017 event attracted more than 100,000 spectators to enjoy an afternoon flight display, headlined by the world famous Red Arrows aerobatic team and supported by a packed programme of on-the-ground family fun.

The aerial extravaganza saw several new displays join the schedule, with the Wildcat Aerobatics team and Piston Provost both taking to the skies as part of the packed line up.

The full schedule saw the Famous Red Arrows return, alongside the Pitts Special, Global Stars, a Chinook, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight including a Spitfire, a Lancaster and a Hurricane, Wildcats, Global Stars, Team Raven, a Strikemaster and Muscle Pitts, as well as a Piston Provost, flown by Lisburn man, Simon Wilson.

The Belfast Chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners’ Group returned to Newcastle this year. A rally with over 200 riders cruised into town. U105’s Maurice Jay and Denise Watson were on hand with great music, competitions and all-round family fun.

Afterwards thanks to 80’s tribute band, The Pleasure Dome people danced the night away to classic 80’s tracks.