Pilot hopes to hit all the right notes at town’s air show

Dan Gay with his LZ plane at Seething Airfield.Picture: TMS Media (Image: Archant)

Dan Gay, who runs Dan’s Music in the town’s Churchill Road, will be flying his Long EZ plane at June’s air show.

The 54-year-old is thrilled his Long EZ plane will share airspace with household names including the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Mr Gay, who qualified as a display pilot three years ago, said: “I am really proud, and feel privileged, to be part of the new air show.

“I have always loved planes – from making flying models as a child - but never thought I would own one, let alone fly one in a show over my town, which is a real cherry on the cake,” he explained.

People may get a sneak preview of his display during pre-show “recces” as Mr Gay practices the plane’s twists and turns between the pie

His parents, now living in the United States, are both originally from the borough, and will fly in to see their son perform in the show.

Mr Gay, who was brought up in Chicago, returned to the town in the early 1990s to set up a music teaching and shop business on Churchill Road in the town.

The weekend air show on June 16 and 17 is organised by the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area and is expected to attract 175,000 people, generating an extra £10m for local traders.

And, as a trader paying a levy to GYTABIA, Mr Gay welcomed the advent of the new air show.

“It should bring a lot of people to the area to have a good time and hopefully come back again, helping all kinds of businesses,” he added.

Air show director Asa Morrison said: “We are delighted our first ever show will feature the plane and skills of a local pilot, who, also as a trader, appreciates our efforts to boost the economy.”

Visitors are being urged to book park and ride and premium parking spaces as soon as possible via the website www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/air-show.