Events

The free event is run by a not for profit organisation who rely on the £1 donation from each visitor to keep the show alive, and maintain the high standards of entertainment on offer.

Around 250,000 people went along to the event in 2007 and everyone was encouraged to put a pound in the bucket and although figures suggest that not everyone donated, over £60,000 was raised for local charities.

As usual there will be an array of aircraft to delight the enthusiast, with around four hours of precision and display flying on both days including The Blades, RAF Typhoon, Team Guinot Wing walkers, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Spitfire and the Tucano.

Some special additions

It has now been confirmed that the Avro Vulcan bomber will also appear at the festival. The Vulcan XH558, which was used in the Falklands, is the only flying model in the world and has been undergoing a 15-year restoration project.

Hear all the latest on the special addition to this year's festival by listening to Guy Campbell's report:

Another exciting addition to this year's line up is the world's most advanced attack helicopter, the Apache which is scheduled to appear on both days.

Apache Helicopter

The Apache is based at RAF Wattisham and flown by the Army Air Corps, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.

From the air to the sea

Lowestoft will be doubly busy during the festival as it also plays host to the second Honda Powerboat Grand Prix.

There will be a display of up to 40 powerboats with race action on the Saturday and Sunday following the air festival.

Travel

As with previous years the festival organisers are warning visitors that the town and surrounding areas are likely to become congested and are recommending that people use the official festival park and ride service or make the trip on public transport.

The Park and Ride sites at Dip Farm in Corton and at Pakefield will open at 0830 and cost £10 a car.  You can also Park and Walk from the Walmer Road Recreation Ground for £6 or the Riverside ASDA for £10. 

St John Ambulance

As usual members of the St John Ambulance will be on hand to offer medical support in the event of any problems.

The team provided assistance in the aftermath of the RAF Harrier crash in 2002 and in their ten years of involvement with the show have dealt with everything from heart attacks to headaches.

First aid equipment

"Our role is to ensure that the public have a safe and enjoyable day, with the reassuring presence of our personnel on hand in the event of an emergency," explained Tony Curd, County Commander of the St John Ambulance Suffolk.

On the air not in the air

BBC Radio Suffolk will have full coverage of the festival and the travel situation. James Hazell will present his show live from the beach on Thursday 9-12 and Lesley Dolphin will take to the airwaves on the Friday 12-2, tune in or listen live using the link on the right>>>

The BBC Suffolk online team will also be on site, gathering a collection of photographs from both days.

Two people have a paddle on Lowestoft beach

Tradition has it that people start to bag their places on the beach soon after dawn, so be sure to get along early.