Flying Display Director makes initial site visit in advance of new air show

This is an archived article from 4 April 2023. 

South Ayrshire Councillors and officers welcomed the new air show's Flying Display Director (FDD), Group Captain Les Garside-Beattie (Rtd.) OBE to Ayr this week.

Mr Garside-Beattie made his initial visit to the area in advance of developing the site plan for this year's big event.

Mr Garside-Beattie, who has over four decades' experience in the aerospace and defence industries, met with key contacts from Prestwick Airport, the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, the Council's Cabinet, and officers from the event's Silver Group during his three-day visit.

Preparations are now well underway for The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight, which will take place at Ayr shore front between 8 - 10 September.

As FDD, Mr Garside-Beattie will work closely with Council offices and air show partners to bring a range of safe, creative and impressive flight displays to the event.

Flying Display Director, Les Garside-Beattie OBE, said: "This visit to Ayr was an important one to allow me to see the air show venue and understand the challenges ahead in greater detail. It marks, for me, a step change in my activity towards the delivery of a safe and successful event. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet a significant number of the key personalities face-to-face, and for us to be able to bring the necessary impetus to our collaborative activities.  I am truly excited about the air show, and I can't wait to deliver an amazing event!"

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark said: "It was great to be able to meet with Mr Garside-Beattie during his recent site visit.  The Flying Display Director is pivotal to the success of any air show.  We know we're in safe hands and on track to deliver a spectacular event with Les at the helm as our FDD."

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Sport and Leisure, Councillor Brian Connolly, said: "The Flying Display Director's site visit is yet another step towards what's going to be a cracking family event this September.  Mr Garside-Beattie's vast career experience, coupled with his success as FDD at Farnborough, Jersey and Bahrain air shows, puts us in the best position to put on an unforgettable three-day festival."

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Martin Dowey, said: "I was delighted to meet Mr Garside-Beattie and talk through his vision and plans for the new air show. He really is a true professional and I know he'll work well with our officers to ensure we deliver an unforgettable event."