2010 is a very special year for Southampton Airport, as it marks 100 years since the first ever flight at the airport.  Back in 1910, local man, Edwin Rowland Moon, triumphantly flew his homemade Moonbeam II aircraft from the fields of North Stoneham Farm (which is now Southampton Airport), at a time when aircraft were in their infancy.

This demonstration of innovation and ingenuity inspired many more local people to design and build aircraft around the south Hampshire region, including the world famous WWII Spitfire aircraft, and Skeeter helicopters to name but a few.

Today, thousands of local people are employed in aviation and aerospace industries in a range of businesses functions from supplying materials and providing services, to specialised aeronautical engineering (i.e. space satellites).

To mark the centenary year in 2010, a series of events are being planned throughout the region by various organisations, to celebrate Hampshire’s rich and proud historical links to aviation and aerospace industries.  The activities aim to celebrate the innovation that continues to grow today, and further encourage inward investment to the region.

Full details can be found online at www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk.

Saturday 24th July at 4pm
Eastleigh Borough Council are organising a special flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to celebrate 100 years of flight in South Hampshire (subject to weather). At around 4pm on Saturday look to the skies to see three flypasts in formation, by a Hurricane, the UK's only flying Lancaster and a Spitfire, which was designed and built locally and took its first test flight from Southampton Airport in 1936. The best views will be along the waterfront from Weston Shore to Hamble Point, and from on the water itself.

Flypast route map (261KB PDF)

Sunday 25th July at 12noon or 4pm
Around 20 Gordon Keeble Cars will be returning to their birthplace on Sunday to mark the centenary of flight. Between 1964-66, just 99 cars were made in the former Spitfire hangar at Southampton Airport. Powered by a 5.4 litre ChevroletV8 producing 300 BHP, these hand built super-cars were capable of 140mph. The cars will be on display for public viewing at Southampton Civic Centre from 12 noon to 1pm, and on Eastleigh Recreation Ground from 4pm to 5pm. 

January - Restaurant opening
Opening of Mitchell's Kitchen & Bar Phase 1.
28th February - Paper Planes Art Gallery Exhibition
An open exhibition in Southampton City Art Gallery to celebrate flight and speed. Runs until 25th April
11th March - RJ Mitchell Lecture
Lecture by Flybe Chief Executive, Jim French CBE, at Southampton University
24th March - Push Ahead Challenge Finale
Innovation challenge for every school and college in South Hampshire
2nd - 4th April - Easter Extravaganza
Find 100 Easter Eggs hidden at Southampton Airport
17th April - The Saturday Night Sleepover
Southampton Airport and the Girl Guides join forces to celebrate each others centenary
1st - 3rd May - Paper Aeroplane Flying Competition
Family fun at Marwell Wildlife with fabulous prizes to be won
25th, 26th, & 27th May - Biggles & Co. at the Solent Sky Museum at 7.30pm
At the same time as the Wright Brothers were proving that man really could fly, Southampton was at the forefront aviation history. Daring aviators were taking to the skies over Southern England. Find out more at this event amidst the historic aircraft of the Solent Sky Museum. Tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre on Civic Centre Road. Tel: 023 8083 3333. Tickets are £6 seated & £5 promenade.
9th June - Eggheads, BBC2
Southampton Airport's team, The Spitfires, challenge BBC2's Eggheads (6pm).
11th - 13th June - 'When The Saintz Go Marching In'
Centenary show written and performed by young people from Eastleigh at The Point. Tickets can be booked by calling 023 8065 2333 (www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk).
25th June - Centenary Swing Night at The Point
Enjoy an evening of Jive, Lindy Hop and live music at The Point. Tickets can be booked by calling 023 8065 2333 (www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk).
22nd July - Commemorative Unveiling
Mayor of Eastleigh to unveil centenary paving at Southampton Airport.
24th July - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
The trio return to the home of the Spitfire for a magical flypast (Lancaster, Hurricane & Spitfire). The flypast can be viewed along Southampton Water at around 4pm.
24th July - Airport Staff Celebrations
25th July - Gordon Keeble Car 100 Mile Rally
A 20-car tour by Hampshire's only supercar, built at Southampton Airport in the 1960s
16 October - 13 November - Spitfire: A Legendary chapter in Eastleigh's centenary of flight
The exhibition at the Eastleigh Museum will be looking at stories related to the Spitfire story at Eastleigh using a private collection, museum images and stories linked to Eastleigh. Fun for all the family.
November - VIP Airport Opening
Official opening ceremony of the re-developed Departure Lounge.

100 Special Journeys - See 100 profiles of passengers using Southampton Airport in the Daily Echo throughout 2010
Centenary Aviation Lectures - A series of eight free aviation lectures are being held around Southampton between January and November