UK Airshow News – Page 19

Exciting returns for some RIAT favourites!

Harrier at RIAT

We are extremely excited to announce the participation of the Spanish Navy at RIAT23 with their McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II aircraft! The iconic ‘Jump Jet’ will perform a solo flying display, with another example on static display and we’re looking forward to welcoming these very special jets back to RAF Fairford.

Another rare appearance in the flying display will come courtesy of the Royal Danish Air Force, with their F-16 solo display. This is the first time we’ll have seen the Danish Fighting Falcon perform in the flying display since 2011 and they plan to use their spectacularly painted ‘Dannebrog’. They’ll also be bringing a twin-seat F-16BM for static display.

This week we’ve also added a small number of civilian aircraft to the static displays, including what will probably be this year’s smallest aircraft, a Slingsby Nipper!

Tickets are on sale for all days, with a four hour flying display on Friday, featuring many of the weekend highlights, followed by full-length flying displays featuring all aircraft on Saturday and Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

Happy 100th Birthday to the Italian Air Force!

RIAT Italian Air Force 100th

Buon Compleanno!

Today we wish happy 100th birthday to the Aeronautica Militare, who were formed on this day in 1923!

The Italian Air Force have been huge supporters of the Air Tattoo since first appearing in 1976, bringing a wide variety of aircraft over the decades, with their display appearances always among the most popular participants each year.

As part of the Italian centenary celebrations, at this summer’s RIAT we are planning a dedicated area showcasing a range of modern and historic Italian aircraft together for our visitors to view and enjoy.

Keep an eye out for updates and aircraft confirmations in the coming weeks!

www.airtattoo.com

Bring on the fast jets!

RIAT Fast Jets

If you like fast jets then this week’s aircraft update is sure to get your blood pumping!

First up, we’re pleased to confirm the return of the Belgian Air Component to RIAT: Their popular F-16 solo display will feature the colourful ‘Dream Viper’ display jet. In addition to the flying display, there will also be a pair of F-16AM Fighting Falcons in the static displays. We’re also pleased to be welcoming one of their SF.260 training aircraft to join the static displays, something which we haven’t seen at Fairford for many years.

From the Swedish Air Force, we’re pleased to announce two jets for the flying display, with their much-loved Gripen solo display and a rare appearance of their SK.60 training jet. For those wanting a closer look, there will also be examples of both aircraft types joining the static displays.

Tickets are on sale for all days, with Friday’s preview day being followed by full-length flying displays featuring all aircraft on Saturday and Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

Red Arrows announced at UK’s biggest free festival

Red Arrows at Bournemouth Air Show by Paul Johnson (photo by Paul Johnson)

The world-famous Red Arrows and supersonic Eurofighter Typhoon will be making a roaring return to the UK’s biggest free land, air and sea event, the Bournemouth Air Festival, this year.

The elite Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots will be joined by some of the most famous fighter aircraft used in World War Two’s Battle of Britain – the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

All the iconic planes will be performing over four days of the award-winning festival alongside the Tutor, an RAF plane used for University Air Squadron (UAS) elementary flying training and for flying grading.

The landmark festival, which is now in its 15th year, is scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 31, to Sunday, September 3 across 1.5 miles of beach and clifftop.

Red Arrow’s Team Leader and Red 1, Tom Bould, said: “We’re thrilled, as a team, to be returning to Bournemouth for all four days of the 2023 air festival.”

“The event will be a highlight of our summer and with miles of beaches and a distinctive coastline, the location is a brilliant backdrop for a packed programme of world-class displays.”

“We’re busy putting together a new aerobatic show for 2023 and are excited to bring this to Bournemouth and showcase the talented people, skills and work of the entire Royal Air Force through this display of teamwork and precision.”

“What is even more fulfilling and motivating as a team is knowing that hundreds of thousands of people head to Bournemouth for the air festival.”

“Not only is it humbling, and a privilege, to perform a dynamic display for everyone in-the-sky but it’s also a great opportunity to meet individuals, many of whom are young people and families, on-the-ground during the festival – including at the RAF Experience area, where there’s chance to learn more about the Service.”

“Crucially, the festival in Bournemouth is a testimony to the ability of air events to bring communities together, to support local economies and to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds through the wonder of aviation and STEM.”

Regarded as one of the best air shows in the UK due to its unique position on the south coast of England, the Bournemouth Air Festival offers both land and sea viewing opportunities.

Cllr Beverly Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Bournemouth Air Festival is a fantastic end to the summer and last year’s Platinum Jubilee Air Festival was no different.

“From the iconic Red Arrows to the thrilling night displays and the fabulous family atmosphere throughout, it really creates an electric atmosphere, bringing crowds from far and wide, supporting the economy and local jobs.”

BCP Council’s air festival director Jon Weaver said: “The RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain are a firm favourite among festival goers, and we look forward to welcoming them back for an incredible four days this coronation year.

“This year we are once again planning to deliver a truly memorable four days of thrills and entertainment, and we’re looking forward to making more announcements to the festival programme over the coming months.

“We have an incredible team that organises it and I can’t wait to see this year’s festival come together in what shall be a very special coronation year.”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Airscene Awards 2022 – The Results

RIAT crowd seating

Close to 1,000 votes were received this year, however with 50+ disregarded and deleted, the final tally of valid votes was 918. While most who voted did vote in every category, there were around 70 or so that voted in only one or two categories only.

Best Airshow

1st) RIAT (344)

2nd) RAF Cosford Air Show (239)

3rd) Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow (212)

As Airscene reviewer Lee Chapman said ‘A welcome return for the World’s biggest Military Air Show’, a couple of years without an Airshow to visit could very well be the reason for the enthusiasm shown for RIAT this year, and most definitely a well deserved 1st place.

Best Free Airshow

1st) Rhyl (198)

2nd) Eastbourne (163)

3rd) Bournemouth (149)

This is the first of 2 categories where voters seemed to be out in force for a venue that has barely featured in Airscene Awards in the past, and despite issues on day 2, the first day of the 2022 Rhyl Airshows seems to have made a big impression on those that attended.

Best Display Team

1st) ROKAF Black Eagles (330)

2nd) Red Arrows (311)

3rd) Frecce Tricolori (194)

I missed seeing ROKAF perform this year, and I am even more gutted now as you have put them in 1st place above the Red Arrows who are nearly always on top of this category. Well done ROKAF!

Best Solo Display

1st) Belgian F16 (288)

2nd) Czech AF Mi-24 Hind (235)

3rd) RAF Chinook (203)

Two heli’s in this years top 3, with the Czech Hind just pushing the Chinook down to 3rd place. The Belgian F16 did have the best colour scheme and many of you feel the solo display matched this. I need to give a mention to the Austrian QRA demo, which received votes in both the Display Team and Solo Display Category for some reason – if the votes were all added together, they would be a very close 4th in each category…

And finally Best Aviation Museum

1st) RAF Museum Midlands (279)

2nd) Duxford Imperial War Museum (258)

3rd) RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre (84)

RAF Museum Midlands (Cosford) are placed 1st again in the Airscene Awards, which I think is testament to the hard work that they put in the keep it relevant, with a packed calendar of events throughout the year – well done to the team at Cosford. RAF Sculthorpe have never received this many votes before and a last minute rally around kept both Newark Air Museum and RAF Museum London out of 3rd place (they tied on 81 points each by the way).

I’d like to close by sharing a quote from one of those who voted for RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre:

“My father was stationed there from 1958-61. I was twelve years old when we arrived. It was a wonderful assignment and we made some lifelong friends while there. Ian Brown and Family and Friends have worked very hard and have done a great job. A visit from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth was an amazing event in and of itself.” – John Witzell

Royal blessing for Bournemouth Air Festival

Queen Elizabeth II has given her blessing to the Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival.

Her Majesty’s good wishes come as two further surprises are announced for the free four-day event on land, sea, and air.

The American B-52 bomber is set to make an appearance on Saturday before the Red Arrows take flight with their special formation celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.

Meanwhile the iconic Spitfire, hero of World War II, will be joined in formation by the mighty modern Typhoon for several enthralling passes on Friday.

However, before the planes get ready to roar, the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Robert Lawton is celebrating a letter from the Queen giving her good wishes to this year’s festival.

Cllr Lawton wrote to the Queen earlier on in the year inviting her to the festival, which he said was dedicated to her Majesty and aimed to celebrate her 70 years of service.

In a letter back, the Queen’s Diary Secretary Mrs Helen Cross, said the Queen would be unable to attend, but hoped “very much that the Air Festival is a successful and enjoyable one for all those attending.”

Cllr Lawton said: “It’s an enormous privilege to receive this letter from the Queen in her historic Platinum Jubilee year.

“The Bournemouth Air Festival incorporates everything that falls under the Queen in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, so it’s a great honour that she’s acknowledged our mark of respect in this way and I’m very glad that we’ve been able to celebrate this significant year most fittingly.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the spectacular displays in the air, on land and at sea over the next few days and encourage everyone to come and enjoy everything the Platinum Jubilee Bournemouth Air Festival has to offer.”

Alongside the Red Arrows, Spitfire and B52, festival goers can look forward to a host of other events on land and at sea, including fairground rides, bird of prey displays, bands, fireworks, trade and food stalls throughout. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) tent is also back this year to inspire the next generation, with exhibitors including the RNLI, AUB and Rolls Royce.

Cllr Beverley Dunlop Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Place said that after a few challenging years due to the pandemic the festival, which is organised by BCP Council, was very much about celebrating the local community.

She said: “We want to give our community something to celebrate, and something to be proud of and we are certainly proud of this year’s line-up. Now in its 14th year, it provides free entertainment over four days against a backdrop of award-winning beaches – so it’s perfect pocket-friendly entertainment for families.”

“Tourism is worth over £1billion to the local economy and supports almost 18,000 jobs. In 2021 the Air Festival brought in a total spend of £49.7m into the local economy, attracted about 800,000 visitors from all over the UK and supported about 266 full time jobs, so it is a critical event in the calendar locally.”

“Aside from the excitement of the aerobatics and ground displays, a particular favourite of mine is the STEM marquee, which integrates the areas and challenges of science, technology and engineering to inspire the next generation by giving young people access to some of the region’s high-profile STEM companies.

“So, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all those that make the festival happen. Thank you to the Armed Forces, the RAF, and the Royal Navy, The Army and the Royal Marines for creating some incredible displays that always draw in the crowds.”

“Thanks to those at the council working behind the scenes and the businesses and traders taking part. Thank you to our partners at Bournemouth Airport, Dorset Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, the HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South Western Ambulance Services along with our other multi agency partners.”

“We couldn’t put on the festival without all these people, so it’s truly a collective community effort.”

The award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival is scheduled to take place from today, Thursday, September 1, to Sunday, September 4.

http://www.bournemouthair.co.uk

#Footage of Sunseeker and Muscle Bi-Plane practice stunt can be found here. You can download it by clicking the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner: https://business.coastwiththemost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hawk-38-VS-G-JPIT-Plane.mp4

Sunseeker stunt revealed for Bournemouth Air Festival

Sabio Group Biplane G-JPIT

A Top Gear themed high-octane stunt in the air and sea has been revealed ahead of this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival.

Sunseeker’s high performance day boat, the Hawk 38, will be pitted against aerobatic plane G-JPIT, in the new Sea and Sky Sprint at the UK’s best free air, land and sea show this September.

G-JPIT is a custom built, highly modified Pitts Biplane that gives it enhanced manoeuvrability and unparalleled power-to-weight ratio.

Meanwhile the Sunseeker Hawk 38 delivers an incredible top speed of up to 70mph (62kts).

The Sea and Sky Sprint will take place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4 of the four-day festival.

Bryan Jones, Marketing Manager at Sunseeker International, said: “We are delighted to have helped put together this incredible stunt which will see the Hawk 38 being driven at its limits across a 1km slalom course just in front of the beach, while the plane will be following both a horizontal and vertical flight path in an attempt to cross the finishing line first.

“Given the agility and performance of both machines, it’s going to be an exceedingly tight race.”

Jon Weaver, Air Festival Director said: “We are delighted that renowned aerobatics pilot Rich Goodwin has agreed to take on this exciting Sea and Sky Sprint challenge. He has had a regular presence at the Bournemouth Air Festival for a number of years performing mind-blowing aerobatic stunts in his muscle biplanes.

“The Air Festival provides a great platform to showcase the prominent international status of local brands including Sunseeker International, based in Poole. We are looking forward to our partnership going from strength to strength and we cannot wait to see this spectacular demonstration play out on sea and in the air.”

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places, said: “Now in its 14th year, Bournemouth Air Festival is the biggest date in the area’s calendar.

“This Platinum Jubilee year, the festival is not only a chance for residents and visitors alike to celebrate, it also represents a major opportunity to showcase local businesses and for traders to get in front of consumers.

“In 2019 Air Festival made a major contribution of £32m to the local economy attracting over 600,000 visitors, retaining its reputation as an important attractor event for the region.
“With stunts like this Sunseeker and muscle bi-plane on the display programme to draw in the crowds, we hope this year will be another huge success.”

Retired RAF pilot Richard Goodwin, who will be flying the Sabio Group-sponsored Muscle Biplane, G-JPIT, will be pulling off some dare-devil loop-the-loops and barrel rolls at between 200ft and 1,800ft as part of another individual display during the air show.

He said: “I am very excited by the challenge of doing something a little bit different at the Bournemouth Air Festival; an event which is a real highlight in the UK Air show calendar and one that I look forward to each year.

“We aim to push the boundaries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to create a unique experience and I am passionate about inspiring our future STEM aviators and engineers.

“Taking on the incredible Sunseeker Hawk 38 at Bournemouth Air Festival is a great opportunity to push the boundaries of aerobatic flying once more. It’s shaping up to be a wonderful occasion!”

Across the weekend a myriad of exhilarating aircraft will rip through Bournemouth’s skies including the RAF Typhoon and The Battle of Britain Memorial planes – the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

One of a kind Second World War aircraft to fly in historic flypast at IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain Air Show

Duxford Flypast

The world’s only two-seater Hurricane and airworthy Bristol Blenheim will join the famous flying finale of warbirds at this year’s IWM Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. With plenty of Spitfires and Hurricanes confirmed to take flight and a showground packed full of historical and 1940s entertainment, this annual event pays tribute to those who defeated the German Luftwaffe for control of the skies over Britain at a site where real history happened.

Other must-see aerial displays over the weekend include the much-loved Boeing B17 ‘Sally B’, the last airworthy Flying Fortress in Europe; a visiting display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; the P-51D Mustang ‘Miss Helen’; and the Tiger 9 Aeronautical Display Team, amongst many others and with more flying acts soon to be announced. Across the showground, the summer of 1940 can be seen and heard at every turn as jazz, blues and swing music fill the air, living history groups recreate life on the home front during the Second World War and a traditional steam fairground delights families with classic rides. Visitors can also enjoy access to IWM Duxford’s exhibitions and hangars throughout the day, packed full of aircraft, vehicles, collection items and personal stories of war and conflict.

IWM Air Show Event Manager, Phil Hood, said: “This year’s Battle of Britain Air Show is set to be a memorable one with a fantastic array of Second World War aircraft participating in the finale flypast, a site which never ceases to capture audiences as Spitfires and Hurricanes take to the sky in unison to close out the event. What makes this Air Show so special is its connection to the history of Duxford which visitors can explore during their visit and find out more about the men and women who worked at RAF Duxford to help secure some of the most important victories in the skies. The Battle of Britain Air Show gives us the opportunity to commemorate these efforts whilst delighting audiences with aerial displays and history packed entertainment on the ground.”

In addition to the Air Show, IWM Duxford will also be commemorating the Battle of Britain with the following:

Duxford In A Different Light: Battle of Britain Photography Evening – taking place on 15 September, known as Battle of Britain Day, this after-hours photography event is dedicated to this pivotal moment in 20th century history. Using innovative lighting techniques, Second World War and Inter-War aircraft will be illuminated to create evocative photography opportunities and scenes will be brought to life with the help of period vehicles and living history actors dressed in authentic period costume, all against the backdrop of Duxford’s historic buildings.

IWM In Conversation: Battle of Britain – on 17 September, come and listen to fascinating lectures from IWM curators, Adrian Kerrison and Craig Murray, as they delve into the history of the summer of 1940, including Duxford’s controversial Big Wing and its contribution to the Battle of Britain and the development of The Dowding System. Author of The Forgotten Few, Paul Beaver, will pay homage to the overlooked efforts of 57 naval pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain, whilst historian Victoria Taylor will re-tell this iconic British victory from the Luftwaffe’s perspective.

The Battle of Britain: A Visual History by Anthony Richards – out 8 September 2022, this new highly illustrated book brings together multiple elements of IWM’s collection, many of which have rarely been seen before by the public, to explore one of the most testing periods in Britain’s history and the stories of the individuals who witnessed it all, on the ground as well as in the skies.

www.iwm.org.uk

Royal International Air Tattoo commits to becoming a more sustainable event

Royal International Air Tattoo

With one month to go, the world’s biggest military airshow, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), is returning to RAF Fairford for the first time in three years.

“Our commitment to inspiring the next generation of aviation and STEM enthusiasts focuses on innovation, technology and the importance of sustainability. We recognise that improving our sustainability is essential if the young people of today are going to have the opportunity to find their place in the world of aviation tomorrow.” said Paul Atherton, CEO.

The RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises is committed to making real, measurable reductions to the carbon footprint of RIAT. So much so, that the organisation is implementing ISO 20121, the International Standard on Sustainable Event Management, as a framework to help it to do this effectively.

“For us to improve our environmental impact and sustainability practices, we need to understand where we are now and what effect we are having. So, for the first time, we will be measuring the impact of everything – from the number of cars in our car parks, to the number of aircraft flying hours, to the amount of food waste generated.” said Kate McKinley, who is leading sustainability activity at the event.

How will this be more sustainable?

This will allow the organisers of RIAT to analyse the environmental impact of different aspects of the event and create a strategy for future policies. Effectively targeting the biggest impacts will help to make real reductions to the event’s carbon footprint in the future.

But this is more than just policies and checklists…

This is about a creating a cultural shift and being more sustainability focussed. The RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises has already started making positive changes with the support of its sponsors, suppliers, and exhibitors.

Although you won’t see recycling bins at the event, all waste will be sorted at a materials recycling plant. Anything that cannot be recycled will be taken to a waste to energy plant, where the energy will be recovered as electricity. Any food waste will be repurposed at an anaerobic digestion plant.

Nothing will be going to landfill.

All generators at RIAT will be running on 100 per cent Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel and a solar and a hybrid generator will be trialled on site. All catering outlets present at the event have been asked to use recyclable and plant-based packaging materials only, and food waste from the staff and volunteer diner will be reduced through detailed planning and anticipation of demand.

Water refill points will be available site-wide, and the organisers are encouraging our volunteers and visitors to bring their own reusable water bottles. This will not only save money but also eliminate 30,000 single-use plastic bottles from waste.

As well as these behind-the-scenes changes, the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises has engaged with their partners and exhibitors on their plans and invited them to use RIAT to highlight the innovations they are making in aviation sustainability. The organisers of the event intend that RIAT will become a platform for this in the future.

What happens next?

The RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises is excited to be making changes to their event operations and recognise this is the first stage of an important journey. Once it has monitored and measured all aspects of the event and analysed the results, it looks forward to drawing up a strategy for long-term reductions in the event’s impacts.

www.airtattoo.com

Demand for the world’s biggest military airshow soars sky high

RIAT 2022

As the Royal International Air Tattoo returns to Gloucestershire’s skies, organisers are taken aback by the public’s appetite for the world-class fundraising event.

This week, the organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) announced Saturday tickets for their event have sold out. After a two-year hiatus as a result of COVID-19, the Gloucestershire-based airshow has proven its ability to still pull crowds from around the globe and is set to welcome an estimated 170,000 people over the weekend of 15-17 July.

Acting as a fundraising event for the RAF Charitable Trust, RIAT will help the charity support even more young people with opportunities for personal development, learning, and discovering their place in the worlds of aviation and STEM.

And what better place to represent these opportunities than the world’s greatest airshow? With more than 200 aircraft, eight-hour flying displays, and immersive activities throughout the showground, RIAT offers people the ideal place to get a taste of the cutting-edge technologies and phenomenal skills that are taking our world to new heights.

While Saturday tickets are no longer available, tickets for Friday 15 and Saturday 17 are still on sale. Those interested in an exhilarating day out should head to www.airtattoo.com/tickets to get their tickets for the greatest airshow in the world.

From Korea to Kempsford: RIAT is welcoming participants from all over the globe. This July, the Royal International Air Tattoo will play host, to hundreds of aircraft and pilots from around the world, including the Black Eagles display team from the Republic of Korea. These elusive aerobatic wonders are legendary throughout the world, and this July will mark the first time in ten years that they have visited the UK. Head to the RIAT website for a full list of those confirmed to be attending.