Aviation Experience

Aviation Experience

A Century of Pioneering Flight is an inter-active indoor attraction of some remarkable highlights in aviation history throughout the last Century. It features three widely varying achievements, each of them momentous.

First Sustained Powered Flight

Richard Pearse, the inventive son of Cornish parents settled in New Zealand, is believed by many to have made the first sustained powered flight in 1902. A year ahead of the American Wright Brothers, who had the foresight to have their attempt officially recorded.

First Flight between Australia & England

In 1929, Charles Kingsford Smith piloted the formidable earth-shrinking flight between Australia and England. News of his safe arrival at his destination was flashed across an anxious and waiting world and ecstatic supporters danced in the streets. This wonderful indoor attraction is a timely reminder that 2009 marked the 80th anniversary of that flight and pays tribute to Charles Kingsford Smith and his navigator Charles Ulm and to the 'Southern Cross', 'Smithy's' beloved aeroplane that flew them safely half-way round the world.

Record-breaking Concorde

The third accolade honours the iconic record- breaking Concorde. Built partly in England, partly in France, it was the focus of great pride to both nations and the envy of the rest of the world. Flambards is proud to present the full-scale flight deck of Concorde, built by BAC for defining and confirming the ultimate positioning of the highly complex instrumentation, plus flightcrew and passenger seating. It was transported from BAC, Bristol, direct to its permanent home at Flambards. It is 'peopled' and equipped with original artefacts and is a must see when visiting Flambards.