Bournemouth's spectacular three-day aviation festival returns this summer with more high altitude fun. This year's Bournemouth Air Festival features air displays, by both day and night.

Hawks, Typhoons and Red Arrows
As expected, the Red Arrows are returning to the Bournemouth Air Festival and are performing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The RAF are also displaying the Chinook and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as well as the Hawk and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Historic Date
As well as spectators, Bournemouth will be overrun with some of the finest in naval aviation. This year is Fly Navy 100 which marks one of the most important dates in naval aviation - its centenary year. So Bournemouth will be visited by RFA Mounts Bay, HMS Cattistock and the Black Cats Helicopter Display Team, featuring Lynx helicopters. There'll also be demonstrations from the Royal Marines Commando Display Team and music from The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.

Night Flights
Action doesn't just take place at day though. Up to 20 hot air balloons will create an ethereal glow in the nightsky on Friday and Saturday night of the Bournemouth Air Festival. Plus there's laser shows, fireworks, street entertainment and displays by the Royal Marines Combat Display Team.

Civilian Displays
It's not just the armed forces who get to show off their skills at the Bournemouth Air Festival. There's also displays from Team Guinot, the world's only formation wing-walking team; The Blades Aerobatic Display Team and more aerobatics from The Matadors. For those of us back on the ground, there's plenty of entertainment including stalls, a Veterans Tent, funfair and performances by the RAF Dog Presentation Team. The whole weekend is free and it's perfect as a family event this summer.

The three-day event takes place from 20th August - 23rd August 2009. The event is free.