Opening its doors at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire this coming weekend for what will undoubtedly be two very full and exciting days, the world’s largest and arguably, singularly most important military airshow event will provide thousands of visitors attending with a flying display programme that lasts over seven hours together with extensive static aircraft and others military related ground displays with a range on the ground including this year, a more larger aircraft that fits well with one of the themes of the Royal International Tattoo this year, commemoration of the first air to air aircraft refuelling, which took place one-hundred years ago this year. There will also be greater numbers of larger military aircraft on display visitors to explore.”
With 140,000 visitors expected, huge support from the defence industrial base, the Royal Air Force and with what often looks like every other air force in the world sending some military aircraft capability to RAF Fairford, this is a premier event om the defence calendar and one that is hugely important not only in respect resource displaying military air power in all its many forms, but also as a place that encourages young people to look at the military and defence aerospace as potential career options, but also for industry and military to come together and discuss issues and potential future requirements and ideas.
As a networking event and having personally attended RIAT over many years now, it remains unsurpassed. It isn’t only professionals either as the event is attended by many former service members of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm regularly attend.
Last year’s RIAT event was a sell-out for the first time and with what was on offer to visitors, I was hardly surprised. This year’s event will I am sure be the same because nowhere else on the military event calendar offers as much as RIAT
Paul Atherton, chief executive officer for Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises who are responsible for organising the event, added: “This year’s show is set to be another thrilling event, with all types of aircraft demonstrating their capabilities in the sky.
If it is to examine career opportunities, learn more about the military and industry that supports it and without whose generosity RIAT would not be the same, whether it’s fun and spectacle or simply to look at each and every aircraft on display, RIAT has something for everyone.
And don’t just take my word for it either, back in 2016 when asked his view of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) the Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin had absolutely no hesitation saying that “this is THE best airshow”. He is absolutely right and these are justified words from a man who commands very high respect wherever he goes. They are said for good reason too because this annual event founded by Tim Prince, the late Paul Bowen and Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley Milling just gets better every year. This year’s event will be no exception to that rule.
Royal Air Force Charitable Trust
Run by the remarkable Royal Air Force Charitable Trust whose strength lies in their ability to support a wide range of projects and initiatives that benefit Royal Air Force serving personnel (both regulars and reserves), cadets, other young people and veterans, the mission is to promote the Royal Air Force, to support its people and families and to encourage air mindedness and the aviation related education of youth.
This is achieved in many ways including staging the annual Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, giving of financial grants to satisfy the Trust’s objectives and the funding of scholarships and other awards.
RIAT History
The first Air Tattoo was organised at North Weald Airfield in 1971 by a small team of volunteers and as the event grew so did the number of volunteers.
Apart from the years 2000 and 2001 when the event was held at RAF Cottesmore, and when it was sadly cancelled due to COVID, the event has been held at RAF Fairford since 1985, initially on a bi-annual basis but since 1993 annually.
Over the years, the notable list of volunteers have included legendary fighter pilot Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, renowned test pilots such as Brian Trubshaw who had flown the first UK built Concorde 002 from Filton to Fairford in April 1969 and Roland Beamont (English Electric Canberra, P1 Lightning, BAC TSR2 and Panavia Tornado), actor Sir David Jason, former US Air Force Chief Gen John Jumper and military historian Prof Richard Holmes. The list is very long and all have helped to make RIAT what it is today. It is the work of volunteers that allows RIAT to happen.
Following the establishment of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT) Board of Trustees in 2005 past chairman have included Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight, who sadly died earlier this year, and Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson and the current Chairman and President of RAFCT is Air Marshal Philip Osborn. As mentioned earlier, industry works hard to ensure the success of RIAT and BAE Systems is one of many important industry sponsors that also include Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Northrop Grumman and many other large companies like Rolls-Royce, Thales, Marshalls , Boeing, Raytheon, Leonardo, 2XL and others, all of whom take stands in the Patrons Pavilion and facilities and support many individual events.
CHW (London – 10th July 2023)
Howard Wheeldon FRAeS
Wheeldon Strategic Advisory Ltd,
M: +44 7710 779785
Skype: chwheeldon
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