Royal International Air Tattoo – Page 8

Royal Canadian Air Force celebrate centenary at RAF Fairford

RIAT Royal Canadian Air Force

This year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) had a touch of the transatlantic about it as the Royal Canadian Air Force marked their 100th birthday at the world-renowned airshow.

Celebrating all things Canada, they had a designated area on the showground, routinely patrolled by their RCAF Centennial mascot Astra, who posed for pictures with visitors.

On Saturday morning crew members, engineers and the RCAF Commander, Lieutenant-General Eric Jean Kenny were presented a birthday cake from RIAT, in recognition of their centenary.

The Canadian’s arrived with a number of different aircraft, including a yellow Kingfisher for the first time which featured alongside other aircraft on their static display, while the CF-188 Hornet, which was in a special paint scheme for this year, took part in the flying display.

RIAT’s Head of Air Operations, Peter Reoch, said: “It was a pleasure to host an exciting array of aircraft from our Canadian friends at the show this year, from the huge CC-177 Globemaster to the much smaller Chipmunk, there was something of interest for everyone.

“Friday’s special flypast with the Hornet alongside the RAF Red Arrows was the icing on the cake.”

RAF Fairford is the only place in Europe where the Canadians are recognising their landmark birthday, which has been a theme of this year’s alongside ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and 50-years of the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Col Maggie Jacula, RCAF 2024 Campaign Manager said: “It is an absolute honour to be here at RIAT to celebrate the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“We have received such kind hospitality from the RIAT team and the general public who have come to visit our aircraft and crews and to enjoy a bit of Canadiana at the RCAF Centennial Tent.

“It is wonderful to be able to share our Centennial with our British friends.”

Tickets for next year’s show are already on sale via www.AirTattoo.com.

RIAT24 final aircraft announcement

RIAT Typhoon

It’s the finishing touches to this year’s line-up this week, with our final aircraft announcement for RIAT24.

With well over 200 aircraft already confirmed we are delighted to be adding a pair of Phantoms from the Hellenic Air Force to the static display! In addition we’ll also have Royal Navy Wildcat, more American F-16s, Metrea King Air and new Tecnam operated by the RAF’s Rapid Capability Office.

To view your full finalised line up for this year’s show, visit below.

www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/aircraft-and-pilots/aircraft-updates

More USAF aircraft confirm for RIAT24

RIAT B-52

As our American friends celebrate Independence Day, we are pleased to confirm more USAF aircraft coming to RIAT24.

Starting with the mighty B-52 Stratofortress, this awesome jet will be on static display over the weekend. In addition, we have a F-35A Lightning II, a pair of F-15E Strike Eagles, both from RAF Lakenheath also on static display. Finally, a highlight of the Friday show will be the U-2 taking to the sky as part of our flying display programme before parking up on static display for the rest of the weekend.

Another Friday treat will be the rare appearance of a RC-135 Rivet Joint from the Royal Air Force, which will lead a multination flypast to recognise 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

www.airtattoo.com

USAF confirms multiple aircraft for RIAT24

RIAT KC-10 Extender

As the show gets closer, the aircraft keep coming!

We know you’ve all been excited for the confirmation of USAF aircraft, and this week we can confirm a number of their aircraft which will be featuring at the show as part of our plans to celebrate 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Joining us for the first time in many years we have a RC-135V Rivet Joint, alongside a myriad of other types such the C-17, C-21, MC-130, KC-135, KC-46 and KC-10. This will be the last chance to see the mighty KC-10 at RIAT, as they retire from service later this year, so don’t miss out! They will also be providing a pair of F-16s to take part in our ‘Viper Line’ static display, coming from the 93rd Fighter Squadron.

Elsewhere, the RAF are sending a C-17 Globemaster which will be dropping the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team to open the Friday flying display. After performing the salute flypast, the huge transport aircraft will be static display on Saturday & Sunday.

Another flying display addition comes in the form of a Supermarine Spitfire Vb, in Canadian markings. This is appearing as part of Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial celebrations and which should be performing a heritage flight alongside the Canadian Hornet on Saturday & Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

The Saudi Hawks return for RIAT24

RIAT Saudi Hawks

The final display team to be added to the RIAT24 flying display this week, with the return of the Saudi Hawks!

The Saudi team will star alongside display teams from Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Jordan and the UK.

Some huge additions to the static display this week, with a pair of Airbus A330 aircraft, one being an MRTT from Saudi Arabia and the other a Royal Air Force Voyager. Other additions to the static line-up this week include the PC-7, PC-24, F-15SA, A400M, C-295 and EC135!

www.airtattoo.com

Typhoon display pilot ‘Turbo’ proud to be participating in Royal International Air Tattoo

RIAT Turbo

In just over four weeks, RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant David ‘Turbo’ Turnbull will be preparing to display at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

With almost 200 aircraft already confirmed, the event has experienced unprecedented demand ahead of next month’s show, with it only having tickets remaining for Friday 19th and Sunday 21st July after announcing it had sold out of tickets for Saturday earlier this month.

In what is his debut season as the RAF Typhoon display pilot, the 32-year-old will be putting his iconic aircraft through its paces in front of 150,000 people at the aviation showcase, which is held at RAF Fairford.

“RIAT is the big one. So many pilots travel from all over the world to take part in RIAT and for me it’s the home match,” he said

“I feel incredibly proud to represent the RAF and UK military at this amazing airshow.”

This year the show is celebrating 100-years of the Royal Canadian Air Force, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, 50-years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, plus their operational theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’.

Ahead of this year’s airshow season, the RAF display Typhoon’s new livery was unveiled with it being inspired by a Hawker Typhoon from World War II.

Capable of reaching speeds of 1,550mph, the fast jet makes for exciting viewing and the RAF pilot is looking forward to demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities in the Cotswold skies.

“The display is going to be fast, aggressive and varied. It is definitely going to wow the crowds as it still wows me,” he added.

“The Typhoon is a beast. I have realised that to a much greater extent during the last couple of months working up to perform the typhoon display. It can go from -3G to +9G and it makes it feel so simple.

“I still remember my first take off in Typhoon, dry power only (without afterburners), and I had never felt acceleration like it. It was on a different level.

“Performing this outstanding aircraft to its limits is very rewarding. It is hard work, but incredibly easy to get motivated for, as you can imagine.

“The step down of heights has made the display physically more challenging at every level, it is a real work out.”

Every week, the event announces more participating aircraft and tickets are selling fast, but to secure your spot visit www.AirTattoo.com.

More exciting announcements for flying and static displays

RIAT Chinook

This week we’ve got a bumper line-up of additions for both the flying and static displays at this summer’s RIAT.

Flying on both Saturday and Sunday, RAF Fairford is one of only three places you can watch the popular Chinook take to the skies this year, performing a special ‘role demonstration’ which will show off the helicopter’s battlefield capabilities such as transport underslung cargo.

Sticking with the flying display, those who are joining us on Friday will be able to see an Embraer KC-390 Millenium, courtesy of Embraer who will showcase the agility of their new transport aircraft.

On the ground, from the British Army we’ve got their new AH-64E Apache plus Wildcat. We’ve also got an Italian Tornado and RAF Puma, plus a host of civilian aircraft.

www.airtattoo.com

Bumper aircraft announcement sparks Saturday sell out for Royal International Air Tattoo

RIAT Moroccan F16

• Tickets for this year’s event continue to sell at a record pace
• Over 150 aircraft confirmed to take part with further announcements still to come
• All U18s given free entry to the event

A series of aircraft participation confirmations from the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has led to the event selling out on its busiest day.

The event’s bumper aircraft announcement started with the Boeing F-15QA Ababil being unveiled in what will be a dynamic display with plenty of high-speed manoeuvres from this rare Qatari jet.

The world-renowned airshow, which is being held at RAF Fairford from July 19th-21st then revealed the Norwegian Yellow Sparrow display team will also be attending, the first time the display team have performed in the UK.

The Royal Moroccan Air Force, who are returning to the show for the first time since 1995, rounded off the unveilings with a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons on static display.

Following on from the announcements, the show has now sold out on general admission for Saturday 20th July, with Friday 19th and Sunday 21st July still available but selling fast.

This year, the aviation showcase is highlighting the F-16 as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary as well as its operational theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ in recognition of 100 years of military aviation Test and Evaluation flying.

Every year the event attracts 150,000 people to the rural airfield, with last year’s show seeing over 250 aircraft in attendance.

RAFCTE Chief Executive Officer, Paul Atherton said: “We are very much looking forward to hosting the event again this year.

“We’ve some really interesting themes that explore all aspects of aviation from iconic fast jets to aircraft which operate in unique environments.

“Again, we are thrilled to see the level of support the show has received. We are very grateful that so many people enjoy our event and I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of attending to get tickets while they still can.”

In addition to dazzling displays in the air with the likes of the Red Arrows, Spanish Harrier, Patrouille Suisse and Canadian Hornet already confirmed, there is plenty to see on the ground too with the show’s Techno Zone® and Inspire Stage. These ground activities and exhibits support RIAT’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, and its ambition to inspire the next generation of aviators.

“On the showground we also have the Techno Zone and Inspire Stage, which are full of interactive exhibits and speakers,” he added.

“As an event we are focussed on encouraging young people to interact with STEM and aviation and both areas are hugely important to that.

“Under 18s continue to be able to attend the show free of charge and we would love to see more young people join us at RAF Fairford next month.”

To buy tickets for this year’s event visit www.AirTattoo.com.

We welcome Norway and Morocco to RIAT24

RIAT Yellow Sparrow

This week has been a double announcement with the Boeing F-15QA Ababil being added to the flying programme, plus the UK debut of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Yellow Sparrows display team!

In addition, we have an exciting variety of aircraft on static display. From Norway, we have a pair of the new F-35A Lightnings, C-130J Hercules and AW101 SAR Queen.

Courtesy of Morocco, we have a pair of F-16s, the advanced Block 52 variant, for our ‘Viper Line’ static display, as we celebrate 50-years of the iconic fast jet. These jets are painted in a fantastic desert camouflage pattern and we’re very excited to welcome them to RIAT 2024, the first time we’ve seen aircraft from the Royal Moroccan Air Force at Fairford since the 1990s.

This week also saw the world mark 80-years since the D-Day landings and staying in line with that, we are thrilled to say we will be joined by a C-47B Dakota. In addition, we have a pair of electrically powered Pipistrel aircraft and for only the 3rd time in RIAT’s history, we’ve got an A-4 Skyhawk coming!

www.airtattoo.com

Aircraft from Poland, Canada and the Royal Navy

RIAT Polish F16

A pair of Polish Air Force F-16s headline this week’s announcement as we make further additions to our flying and static displays.

Their Tiger Demo team will be performing in the flying display, whilst their second fast jet will be lining up along our ever-growing ‘Viper Line’.

Turning to helicopters, we have the Black Cats display team plus two Merlin choppers courtesy of the Royal Navy.

Rounding up the week and bolstering our displays on the ground we have an RAF Poseiden a Royal Canadian Air Force Griffon plus two civilian aircraft in a Mustang and Corsair.

With under 3,000 tickets remaining for Saturday, we urge you to avoid disappointment and book your visit now!