Get to the chopper - for a test runpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
HMS Ranger's crew are being put through their paces with the final practice runs before this afternoon's displays begin.
Summary
Updates from this year's Bournemouth Air Festival
Red Arrows set to fly on each day of the four-day event
Site opened at 10am with first flight due at about 1.30pm - night displays starts at about 8.20pm
Get to the chopper - for a test runpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Weather Forecastpublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
It'll be a cloudy start across the region, with perhaps a few spots of light rain for some. Through the afternoon some sunny spells will develop, the best of these towards the south coast.
There will be a high of 21°C today, and the afternoon is going to be cloudy with the odd bit of sunshine.
More details on BBC Dorset's weather page.
Media caption, Weather forecast ahead of the first day of the Bournemouth Air Festival
Crowds build for Bournemouth Air Festivalpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Bournemouth beach is starting to fill up ahead of the start of flying.
The festival stretches for 1.5 miles of beach between Boscombe and Bournemouth pier, and the East Overcliff also makes a great viewing site.
The sunshine we had earlier has gone, but visibility is good so we should be in for an entertaining afternoon.
Send us your photos and videopublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
If you capture something you think looks particularly good from today's Bournemouth Air Festival, be sure to send it to us.
You can either tweet us at @BBCDorset, external, upload it to our BBC Dorset Facebook page, external or email us at south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
All set for plane spottingpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
The Bishop family from Hampshire and Kent were down early to claim a prime viewing spot on Bournemouth beach.
They are regular visitors to the festival - they are most looking forward to seeing the Red Arrows and they managed to secure tickets to visit one of the Royal Navy ships moored out at sea.
Bournemouth Air Festival in numberspublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
A few air festival facts and figures for you ...
- There have been more than 128 hours of displays since the Bournemouth Air Festival was first staged in 2008.
- 1,000kg of chips, 15,000 whippy ice creams and 2,000 burgers were sold in the seafront outlets at last year's festival.
- More than 10 million people have attended the air festival since 2008.
Marines ready for Bournemouth Air Festival Actionpublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Quote MessageThis is the ninth year we've been to Bournemouth and it gets better and better. It's a real highlight in the diary. We have a week of training on board the ships as well as the beach assaults which the public see. It's fantastic that we get to engage with the public we serve -
Lt Col Cliff Dare, Royal Marines
Image caption, Lt Col Cliff Dare
Red Arrows set for Bournemouth Air Festivalpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
The RAF's aerobatic display team, the Red Arrows are the most eagerly anticipated attraction at the Bournemouth Air Festival.
Weather-permitting, the Red Arrows are set to perform over Bournemouth seafront at 15:45 BST each day of the festival.
Buses running late in Bournemouthpublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Yellow buses in Bournemouth are reporting delays on a number of their services.
Quote MessageWe apologise for the delays which are inevitable during events of this scale, we will be putting in additional resource wherever possible but the delays will get longer through the day despite our best efforts.
Yellow Buses
They have posted an up-to-date list of the latest delays on their Facebook page, external.
The Royal Marines drop in to the Bournemouth Air Festivalpublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Royal Marine commandos displayed their abseiling skills at the launch of this year's air festival.
The marines will also be staging their popular beach assault displays throughout the festival.
Delays in Boscombepublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
BBC TravelChristchurch Road (A35) in Boscombe is slow at the moment, due to people trying to get to the Air Festival.
More on BBC Dorset Travel.
Bournemouth Air Festivalpublished at 11:59 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
All the action happens along the 1.5 mile-long (2km) site, located between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers with crowds lining the seafront and packing the beaches for the best views.
More than a million people attend the festival each year and, according to the Bournemouth Borough Council, it brings more than £25m into the local economy.
This year there are more than 15 display teams and 40 aircraft supported by more than 55 ground crew.
Image source, Bournemouth TourismRed Arrow Display Timespublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Bournemouth Air Festival: Getting there and awaypublished at 11:46 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Parking is not allowed on East Overcliff, Grove Road, or Manor Road and roads in Boscombe and Southbourne are expected to get very busy.
The westbound A35 from Christchurch is also expected to be particularly busy.
There are park and ride services available from Kings Park, Redhill Park and the Littledown Centre - £10 per car.
Bournemouth Train Station is about a 20 minute walk from the seafront.
Click on BBC Travel for the latest news on any delays in and around Bournemouth.
Air festival tributes to Red Arrows' Flt Lt Jon Eggingpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Image source, MODThis year marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Red Arrows Pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, who was killed when his aircraft crashed into a field near Bournemouth Airport on 20 August after taking part in a display at the air festival.
A ribbon tying event is due to take place on Saturday at the Jon Eggin Memorial at Bournemouth's East Overcliff.
The charity set up in his name, external aims to help disadvantaged young people through engagement programmes.
Quote MessageHard to believe it's now five years; in some ways it feels like yesterday, and in others, much longer because of how much the Trust has achieved. I only wish Jon could be here to see what has been realised in his name - he would absolutely love it and be so proud.
Dawn Egging, Mother of Red Arrows Pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging
Bournemouth Air Festival weatherpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
This is what you can expect today and tomorrow if you are heading down to the festival.
Media caption, Weather forecast ahead of the first day of the Bournemouth Air Festival
I saw three ships...published at 11:22 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Okay, there are actually four there, but one is very, very far away.
Roads getting busy heading to Bournemouth Air Festivalpublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
Roads heading into Bournemouth are getting busy. The westbound M27 in Hampshire is seeing congestion at Cadnam (J1) and the A31 is busy between Ferndown and Wimborne Minster.
See BBC Dorset Travel for the latest on the roads.
Festival is 'Worth £31m'published at 11:12 British Summer Time 18 August 2016
This is the ninth year Bournemouth Air Festival has been staged and it has grown into one of the biggest events of its kind in Europe.
The borough council says it generates up to £31 million for the local economy.
Changes to air show regulations following the Shoreham crash last year mean that air displays are now held further out to sea.
Quote MessageIt's incredible the numbers of people we get - they never seem to lose their enthusiasm. The displays are slightly further out to sea but people will still get a wonderful grandstand view"
Mark Smith, Director of Tourism, Bournemouth Borough Council
Picture perfectpublished at 11:04 British Summer Time 18 August 2016