Tickets are now on sale for this year's RNAS Culdrose Air Day which will be held on Wednesday 28th July 2010 (Gates open at 9am). The event, which has become a firm favourite in the Cornish Events Calendar, enables the general public to experience the sights, sounds and smells of one of Europe's largest helicopter bases.

Every day life for Royal Navy Pilots could include hunting for enemy submarines or aircraft in state-of-the art helicopters, flying fast jets armed with air-to-air weapons, transporting troops of Royal Marines Commandos and their equipment or rescuing casualties from sunken vessels. Air Day enables budding fighter pilots and those who once dreamt of flying, to learn about this exciting ‘world of Culdrose' and see what happens behind the security gates.

The organisers of this year's event are working hard to make it a day to remember. As fast jets, helicopters and military aircraft zoom across the skies, visitors will be able to meet Aircrew who have served on frontline Squadrons all over the world, Pilots who have just earned their ‘Wings' and members of the Search and Rescue Squadron, who are seen flying all over Cornwall on daring rescue missions, often putting their own lives at risk to save those of others.

Public Relations Officer, Emma Relton said: “As well as an exciting, action-packed flying display, there will also be lots of things to see, touch and try on the ground. Visitors can climb onboard aircraft, find out what it's like to sit at the controls of a 15 tonne Helicopter surrounded by the latest technology , take a ride in a helicopter, be winched high into the air or jump into the driving seat of a military fire engine. For those who prefer to watch, we have a full arena programme with Field Gun Competitions and daring displays of mo torbikes, parachutists and military dogs. All of the Naval Air Squadrons and units will be out on display ready to talk about what they do and helping the public to try out specially devised activities and challenges. It's really worth taking a day off work for.”

Advance tickets at a reduced price (£ 10:00 for adults and £25:00 for families) are now on sale online ( www.ticketzone.co.uk ), by phone ( 08444 99 99 55 ) and through the following outlets:

• Selected Tourist Information Centres across Devon & Cornwall
• Flambards
• Cancer Funding for Cornwall shop (Helston)
• Gweek Seal Sanctuary
• Culdrose Public Viewing Enclosure
• Culdrose Community Centre

All advance ticket holders will automatically enter into a prize draw to win a visit to RNAS Culdrose's Sea King Simulator and take control of a helicopter similar to some currently serving in Afghanistan. The multi-million pound, state of the art Simulator is used to train aircrew for their overseas deployments and is not usually open to members of the public – this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.*

* One ticket holder plus one guest only will be allowed entry to the simulator and at least one person must be aged 18 years, or over.

For further information, including updates on the list of participating aircraft, please visit our website at www.culdroseairday.co.uk

One of Europe's largest helicopter bases, RNAS Culdrose delivers highly capable Helicopter Squadrons specialising in Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare and Airborne Surveillance and Control. Its frontline Squadrons are deployed to ships all over the world to support the Royal Navy in its global operations. Back at the Air Station, trainee Aircrew, Engineers, Air Traffic Controllers, Fire-fighters and Flight Deck crews undergo intensive training prior to joining Naval Air Squadrons for duties at sea. Additionally, the ‘Search and Rescue' Squadron is on constant standby 365-days a year to react to emergencies throughout the Southwest region. Its red and grey helicopters can be seen braving all types of weather responding to calls for help on land and sea.