Bournemouth Air Festival stunt involving plane and Sunseeker

The G-JPIT is a custom-built, highly modified Pitts Biplane that gives it improved maneuverability and an unrivaled power-to-weight ratio.

Meanwhile, the Sunseeker Hawk 38 offers a top speed of up to 70 mph (62 knots).

The Sea and Sky Sprint will take place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4 of the four-day festival.

Bournemouth Air Festival. Photo: Richard Goodwin” alt=”Bournemouth Echo: Richard Goodwin’s muscle plane at a previous Bournemouth Air Festival. Photo: Richard Goodwin” class=”editor-image”/>Richard Goodwin’s muscle plane at a previous Bournemouth Air Festival. Photo: Richard Goodwin

Bryan Jones, Marketing Director of Sunseeker International, said: “We are delighted to have helped put together this incredible stunt which will see the Hawk 38 being driven to its limits on a 1km slalom course just in front of the range, while the aircraft will be following both a horizontal and vertical flight path in an attempt to cross the finish line first.

“Given the agility and performance of both machines, the race is going to be extremely tight.”

Retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, who will fly the Sabio Group-sponsored muscle biplane, G-JPIT, will perform daring loops and barrel rolls between 200ft and 1,800ft as part of another individual display during the air show.

He said: “I’m very excited about the challenge of doing something a little different at Bournemouth Air Festival; an event which is a real highlight in the UK airshow calendar and which I look forward to every year.

“We aim to push the boundaries of science, technology, engineering and math to create a unique experience and I am passionate about inspiring our future STEM aviators and engineers.

“Taking on the incredible Sunseeker Hawk 38 at the Bournemouth Air Festival is a great opportunity to push the limits of aerobatics once again. This is shaping up to be a wonderful opportunity.

Sunseekers Hawk 38 will take part in the race. Photo: Sunseeker International

Jon Weaver, Bournemouth Air Festival Director, said: “We are delighted that renowned aerobatic pilot Rich Goodwin has agreed to take on this exciting Sea and Sky Sprint challenge.

“He has been a regular fixture at the Bournemouth Air Festival for several years, performing stunning aerobatic stunts in his muscular biplanes.

“The air festival provides an excellent platform to showcase the leading international status of local brands, including Poole-based Sunseeker International. We look forward to our partnership growing stronger and we look forward to seeing this spectacular display unfold on sea and in the air.

The muscle biplane sponsored by the Sabio Group, G-JPIT. Photo: Richard Goodwin

The Bournemouth Air Festival, which runs from Thursday September 1 to Sunday September 4, is also expected to include displays of Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon and The Battle of Britain Memorial aircraft – the Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, BCP Council Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Now in its 14th year, the Bournemouth Air Festival is the biggest date on the region’s calendar.

“In this Platinum Jubilee year, the festival is not only a chance for residents and visitors to celebrate, it is also a major opportunity to showcase local businesses and for merchants to showcase themselves to consumers.

“In 2019, the Air Festival made a major contribution of £32 million to the local economy, attracting over 600,000 visitors, maintaining its reputation as an important attraction event for the region.

“With stunts like this Sunseeker and a muscle biplane on the program to draw the crowds, we hope this year will be another huge success.”