Tornado hits Coventry Airport

The iconic Tornado jet is to fly into Coventry Airport on Sunday 26th September as the world of aviation rallies round in support of Britain's wounded servicemen and women.

With the attendance of one of the world's most recognisable fighter-bombers now confirmed, crowds flocking to see the Tornado land on the runway are guaranteed a rare opportunity to see the last century's most iconic aircraft in one place at one time. Also joining the versatile combat plane on the day will be the legendary Vulcan bomber and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, making Coventry Airport's Fly-in one of the few occasions where the public will be able to simultaneously see history's most significant aircraft.

"A super-sonic, low level, fighter aircraft, currently in service in Afghanistan, the Tornado is a breath taking sight to behold. It is absolutely fantastic to have both the Vulcan and the Tornado taking part. Both aircrafts, pilots and crews will be on the ground to meet the visiting public." said Sir Peter Rigby, Chairman of Patriot Aerospace, owner of Coventry Airport.

The announcement follows news that with the online box office now open and ticket sales well underway, Coventry Airport is offering free on-site parking, a saving of £16 for a family of four, to early-bird visitors who pre-book their tickets for the fundraising event. Promising to be a fantastic day out for families, the ‘Fly In’ experience will offer the opportunity to get up close and personal with pilots, aircrew and a range of military and civilian aircraft.

"We owe all of our servicemen and women a debt of honour and gratitude. These are people who risk their lives every day on our behalf, and we believe that the least we can do is ensure that they are given the very best available care after being wounded in action," said Sir Peter Rigby, Chairman of Patriot Aerospace, owner of Coventry Airport.

"I'm delighted to say that the aviation industry is giving its full support to what looks certain to be a great day out in aid of a fantastic cause. We'll be putting on a range of entertainments and displays that offer something for everybody, so please put the date in your diary and get ready to have some fun."

The funds raised at the event will go towards improving the lives of wounded servicemen and women who are all treated at the Centre for Defence Medicine based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The 'Fly in' at Coventry Airport is staged in partnership with the Armed Forces, the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Coventry City Council, Coventry Telegraph, CV One, Loop, Classic Flight Club and Heliflight.

The Fly in takes place on Sunday 26th September 2010 at Coventry Airport. In addition to watching some of our most iconic aircraft - both Military and Civilian flying in, visitors will also be able to experience hangar-based shopping, entertainment and even participate in the whole fly in experience by taking a helicopter flight around the airport.

For further information regarding the free parking offer and to book advance tickets online, please visit: http://www.visitcoventry.co.uk embedded link http://www.visitcoventry.co.uk/thedms.asp?dms=71&shop=5&sct=348&campaign=1839

For more information about the event please visit: http://www.flyincoventryairport.com

For general information about Coventry Airport, please visit: http://www.coventryairport.co.uk/ or the Coventry Airport facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coventry-Airport/103561746367690?v=info&ref=ts

ENDS

For more information/ images contact:

Beatrice Mocci: beatrice@revolver-pr.co.uk / Tel 0141 339 4175
Judy Groves: judy.groves@sch-group.com / Tel 0121 766 2594

Louise Acton: louise.acton@btinternet.com / Tel 07595 355 938

Ticket Enquiries: 02476 225 616

Notes to Editor

About Coventry Airport

Coventry Airport was acquired by Sir Peter Rigby’s aviation group, Patriot Aerospace, in April 2010. The strategic acquisition will create a vibrant, commercial regional hub for General Aviation, including leisure, business and freight; with passenger flights amongst possible future plans, alongside creating more jobs. The deal firmly establishes Patriot's status as a leading and fast growing General Aviation specialist in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The acquisition of Coventry Airport dovetails with the Group's extensive national flight training, charter, sales and engineering operations.

Patriot Aerospace operates through three specialist aviation businesses: Patriot Aviation, Heliflight and London Helicopter Centres. Through these brands, customers have access to a nationwide and end to end general aviation service, including learning to fly, buying or chartering; refurbishment, avionics, engineering and maintenance; and affordable access to VIP business and leisure helicopter charter. It operates from six air bases: Cranfield, Coventry, Enniskillen, Gloucester, Redhill and Wolverhampton.

For more information about the Group visit http://www.patriotaerospace.uk.com/

About Sir Peter Rigby

Sir Peter Rigby is a seasoned businessman and one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs with an international outlook and experience of working on a European and Global basis. He is a regional ambassador, vocal champion and major employer in the Midlands.

A recognised leader in the field of I.T. with a forty year career in the sector, he founded, owns and chairs one of the UK’s top ten largest privately owned companies, the SCH group, which has its international business headquarters in the centre of Birmingham. The Group employs some 7,000 professionals based in 7 European countries with affiliated partnerships worldwide.

Sir Peter was knighted in the Queen’s Jubilee honours for services to information technology and business in the community. Committed to investing in the Midlands, Sir Peter’s business interests have grown around his passion for aviation and hospitality. An enthusiastic and experienced fixed wing and helicopter pilot, he owns the Patriot Aviation Group which has bases at Cranfield, Enniskillen, Gloucester, Redhill and Wolverhampton. The Group acquired Coventry Airport in April 2010.

Sir Peter also owns the Eden Collection hotel group, which includes Mallory Court near Leamington Spa, and is joint venturing with the Royal Shakespeare Company to re-open Stratford-Upon Avon’s Arden hotel, in the Autumn of 2010.

His charitable foundation was established some 15 years ago (The Rigby Foundation) and he is Chairman and Patron or Trustee of several major charities.

About Serco Serco is a FTSE 100 international service company which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos. It improves services by managing people, processes, technology and assets more effectively. Serco advises policy makers, designs innovative solutions, integrates systems and - most of all – delivers to its customers.
Serco is the only significant non-government provider of air traffic services in the world. The company has extensive experience of providing Air Traffic Control services and maintaining the serviceability of air traffic equipment in order to provide safe and timely service.

In addition to its work in the UK across a number of military and civil airfields, Serco operates 54 air traffic control towers for the US Federal Aviation Administration, and provides air traffic engineering, meteorological services, rescue and fire-fighting services, electronic and electrical maintenance services. In the Middle East, it successfully rebids for the contract in the United Arab Emirates - held since 1986 - to provide air traffic control and engineering services at the Emirates Area Control Centre in Abu Dhabi.