WITH a popular airshow set to return to the North East this week, here is all you need to know ahead of the event.

The sold-out Teesside Airshow kicks off on Saturday.

The event at Teesside Airport is making a return after a five-year gap.

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Sponsored by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, it is being staged by Skylive Air. 

What can people watch in the air?

The Red Arrows, The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and an amphibious flying boat are among the displays set to take to the air on Saturday.

Flight demonstrations will be taking place between about 12noon and 5pm, though the precise timings of displays is not being released ahead of the day.

One of the world’s top aerobatic display teams, the Red Arrows will be showing off their trademark speed, agility and precision.

Also up with the distinctive Hawk fast-jets, a team made up of  pilots, engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational experience.

The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) operates from RAF Coningsby, a Typhoon base, in Lincolnshire.

The Northern Echo: A Spitfire and Hurricane in the Britain Memorial FlightA Spitfire and Hurricane in the Britain Memorial Flight

The mission of the RAF BBMF is to maintain artefacts like the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire, keeping them in an airworthy condition in order to commemorate those who have fallen in the service of this country.

The aircraft may be familiar to enthusiasts as they are flown regularly at events like the Trooping the Colour and other state occasions.

The Typhoon Display team comes this year from 29 Squadron and is comprised of specialists from every aircraft trade who, along with support and management teams, work together to create a dazzling spectacle. Flight Lieutenant Adam O’Hare will be showing off his skills.

The Northern Echo: The Starlings' displayThe Starlings' display

The RAF Falcons – the UK’s premier military parachute display team, based in Oxfordshire – will also be attending

The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team is the only centrally funded, professional, military parachute display team in the UK. Their exciting free fall display, which includes advanced manoeuvres, falling at speeds up to 120mph, and their famous unique non-contact canopy stack manages to captivate all spectators.

An L39 display, by an ex-RAF flying instructor, who saw active service in the Gulf war, will also be one of the shows.

The Northern Echo: The L-39 Albatross The L-39 Albatross

The Starlings, featuring former British Aerobatic Champions Tom Cassells and Michael Pickin, will be performing high-octaneclose formation aerobatics including gyroscopic tumbles.

The Catalina amphibious flying boat, which served in the Second World War, will also be on display. The Catalina was involved in significant actions including the location of the German battleship Bismark and the sighting of the Japanese invasion force heading for Ceylon.

What about on the ground?

A range of ground attractions will be open on the day.

The On The Edge Motorcycle Stunt Show will be putting on a performance, with professional riders demonstrating their skills with 15ft jumps up vertical walls, drop offs and interactive stunts.

Tomahawk Steakhouse is presenting the Teesside Strength Classic show, with people competing in various categories, including a keg toss, yoke walk, car lift and log lift.The referee for the mens competition will be Rob Frampton, he has competed in Worlds Strongest Man twice and he was the coach to Eddie Hall. The referee for the womens competition will be Donna Moore, 3 times winner of Worlds Strongest Woman.

Inch Perfect Trials will also be putting on a display on their bikes, and other returning acts include Dave Coates, the Army service dogs display team and RAF Falcons.

The Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will be providing music.

The Northern Echo:

When does it start? 

The gates open at 10am, when ground attractions will also start. Flight displays are scheduled to start at about 12noon.

The show is expected to be over by about 5pm.

Are tickets available? 

Tickets are now sold out and none will be available on the day.

How do I get there? 

Teesside Airport is accessible by road via the A67 and there will be parking on the day.

There are about 5,000 parking spots available and places are on a first come, first served basis.

Booking is advised and parking costs £5.

Disabled parking is also available and can be booked online by visiting the show’s website.

Parking spaces for appropriate bikes, scooters and mopeds etc. is available at a cost of £2.50 per vehicle.

Vehicle access to all car parks is from 9am.

People have been warned parking is banned on the side of the A67 near the airport. The area will be coned off and any cars left there will be towed away. 

The airport is served by the Number 12 bus six times per day running from Hurworth through Darlington town centre, Morton Park and Middleton St George to the terminal building.

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