26th-27th September 2009 – The 17th Southport Airshow was delayed until the end of September to coincide with a low tide, but the Indian Summer blessed Lancashire with dry and mild conditions and a record 90,000 spectators flocked to the show, tagged as the biggest aviation display in the North West

Southport’s beach is unusually flat, and home to Birkdale Sands – a CAA recognised sand strip that for many years this was used for pleasure flights. Unlike last year, the sand next to the long pleasure pier was firm and dry.

Despite the multiple sand runways and the many ‘fly-in’ aircraft that were parked on the sand, the Swift Team were the only display aircraft to use the beach as the Sea King, Merlin and Chinook helicopters suffered last minute technical problems and availability issues.

The show had a distinct ‘end of term’ feel, as it signalled not only the last public Twister display of the season, but was also the last display for Vic Norman’s Wingwalking Team under Guinot sponsorship. The low cloud dictated a flat show for the Red Arrows last display too.

With the future of the Vulcan also unsure, it was fitting that it closed the show on Sunday – the end to a very successful year!

We would like to thank RAF Woodvale who hosted the Swift Team for the weekend.