Royal International Air Tattoo 2009
The Royal International Air Tattoo is the biggest aviation event of the year for many. The huge airfield at RAF Fairford is taken over by the massive RIAT operation which a huge showground for the public to explore and a large static display of aircraft. The biggest draw is the 8-hour flying display. It’s the longest and most ambitious flying display held anywhere in the UK and often draws acts you just won’t see anywhere else. 2009’s flying display saw a major celebration of the 100 years of Naval aviation that for once was seen in relatively bright skies and the long-awaited return of the Vulcan to RAF Fairford.
Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. Photography copyright of the Author.
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the largest airshow of the year in the UK sporting the largest showground and flying displays. The Air Tattoo has a large support organisation of a small group of full-time staff bolstered by masses of volunteers and military personnel who work tirelessly to get the event “off the ground!”
The first impressions on arriving at Fairford on show day was just how much the showground had changed since 2007. In many respects this was due to changes implemented after the 2008 show cancellation as small areas of car parking had been found within the airfield boundaries (although not within the show site.). This meant that the static park did not extend into the “Western Loop” and that the display aircraft had now moved back to the northern side of the airfield as with Air Tattoo’s on the 1980’s and 1990’s. Another noticeable difference was the number of aircraft on static displays which was much smaller than previous years. With ongoing operations and financial constraints this is hardly surprising, but it seems the days of massed ranks of UK armed forces equipment are gone and there were far less contributions from other forces around the world – for example no aircraft came from the Czech Republic or Poland which raised a few eyebrows. However, it wasn’t all bad news for the aviation enthusiasts with plenty of quality in the static part – not least the first visit by a Luftwaffe EF2000 and the first ever visit to a UK show by an Algerian Air Force aircraft – a C-130H Hercules.
As ever though, there was far more on the ground than just aircraft with impressive exhibits by the armed forces and industry centred around the improved Tri@RIAT area. More emphasis went on to other entertainment too with concerts during and after the show for all the family. It’s becoming more important than ever for airshows to become more “rounded” events and RIAT’s advertising before the show reflected this. As much as enthusiasts will hate this, every airshow in the country must appeal to all the family to attract visitors and sponsors alike.
The flying displays during RIAT are very much the focal point of the event. In many people’s eyes, it’s the flying display that makes or breaks the show. As ever, RIAT presented eight hours of flying over each day in bright conditions on the Saturday and far more unsettled weather on the Sunday. Apart from the “Fly Navy 100” segment of the flying, no major themes were explored during the flying displays which covered a fairly diverse range of displays from fast jets to glamourous wingwalkers on 1920’s biplanes.
Perhaps one of RIAT’s biggest draw for many are the numbers of the big international displays teams that attracts. The line up may not have quite matched that billed for 2008, but it was certainly impressive. Headlining the international teams was of course the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows. There was also a welcome return to Fairford favourites, Il Frecce Tricolori from the Italian Air Force flying 10 Aermacchi MB339PAN aircraft. Other returnees were the Royal Jordanian Falcons who’ve appeared at every Tattoo than I can remember and have probably won more trophies at the Tattoo than any other display!!! An interesting team to grace the Fairford skies were Breitling Jet Team, the only civilian jet team in Europe. While their performance on Saturday was held in bright sunny conditions, the team tried their best to display during one of the many heavy rain showers on the Sunday before they finally called it a day in the poor visibility. A team making their RIAT debut were the Swiss Air Force’s PC-7 Team. Their appearance at RIAT was their first in the UK with their newly upgraded NCPC-7 Turbotrainers in the new Swiss training colours. The team have appeared across Europe at airshows and events such as the Monaco Grand Prix. For their displays at Fairford, the joined up with the Swiss Air Force’s other contribution, the F/A-18C Hornet, for a flypast. Further colour, noise and smoke came from a completely different display, Team Guinot. Team Guinot is based only a few miles from Fairford at Vic Norman’s beautiful private aerodrome at RFC Rendcomb. The team in their various guises have been Air Tattoo regulars, but this year are looking for new sponsors for 2010 and beyond. We wish them every luck for attracting new partners.
Away from all the noise, there were very few historic displays. Rod Dean flew the Rolls Royce Spitfire PRXIX for its solo display while the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight brought back further memories of the 1940’s. Show star for the weekend however was the Avro Vulcan making it’s first (R)IAT appearance since 1991. The highlight of the display was undoubtedly the take off with Kev Rumens’ departure on the Sunday being very reminiscent of the original RAF display take offs! Sunday also saw the Vulcan pair up on the ground with its American colleague from the cold war, the B-52H Stratofortress. The B-52 was the USAF’s sole contribution to the flying display in 2009. Budget cuts have meant that all USAF displays have performed fewer displays in 2009 and there just wasn’t enough in the kitty to get a demo team across the Atlantic. The B-52 too gave some dramatic passes over the weekend, particularly on the Sunday when it made some extra passes filling gaps left by the inclement weather before the Vulcan.
There were two other notable displays by “heavy aircraft.” The Italian Air Force C-27J Spartan put on an incredible display it’s agility even performing a knife-edge pass. Sadly, the Spartan was unable to perform its barrel roll party piece due to UK display restrictions. However, the most impressive heavy of the weekend was the Boeing 757-2K2 from the |Royal New Zealand Air Force. Even in dire conditions on Sunday afternoon the 757 put on a display of fighter like performance ending with a truly awesome zoom climb!! In contrast to the heavy 757 but staying with the transport theme, there was also a display by the French Army’s TBM700.
One thing RIAT is very famous for is the number of fast jet displays which come from Europe and beyond. This year there were displays from several different nations. Taking top honours was the French Air Force Rafale B which scooped the Douglas Bader and the “As the Crow Flies” trophies for best overall flying demonstration. However, standing out from the crowd was the Dutch Air Force’s solo F-16AM Fighting Falcon flown by Ralph Aarts. The bright orange F-16 has turned head wherever it has performed this year with its superb paint scheme.
In addition to the Rafale and F-16, there were five other fast jets on show, but only two different types. There were JAS-39C Gripens from Sweden and Hungary. The Hungarian display was notable for the long streak of flame which appeared every so often as dumped fuel was ignited by the reheat. There were also three different F(/A)-18 Hornet displays from Finland, Spain and Switzerland with perhaps the Spanish display pipping the others for noise and spectacle. However, if there is one criticism of RIAT 2009, it was the lack of variety from these five displays, especially considering how close at least they were scheduled into the flying. A little more spread and variety would be welcomed.
Displays from the UK armed forces are always a strong feature of a RIAT display. The Army Air Corps sole participation came from the Blue Eagles with their pair of Apache and Lynx helicopters. The Royal Air Force contributed most of its solo displays with King Air, Hawk, Chinook and Typhoon all appearing on both days of the show. Also making a flypast on the Saturday was a Tristar from nearby RAF Brize Norton. Saturday also saw an all too rare appearance by one of the RAF’s future aircraft, the Nimrod MRA4 from Woodford. This aircraft was the first to appear in public flown by an all RAF aircrew ahead of its planned introduction in to service next year.
Staying with the maritime theme, the last word must be left to the Royal Navy without whom the RIAT flying display would have perhaps looked a little more ordinary. In this centenary of naval aviation, the Royal Navy has put together a wonderful flypast of current and historic types to celebrate “Fly Navy 100.” The flypast was joined by a solo display of a Merlin HM1, The Black Cats and the Black Sea Hawks display teams. This section of the flying was the outstanding highlight of the flying providing RIAT with a true centrepiece for it’s display.
It was clear before and after the event that 2009 was not a classic year for RIAT. On going military operations and the financial crisis have clearly hit governments and armed forces very hard over the last twelve months which has hit airshow participation.
However, it was a spectacular, safe and enjoyable event which shrugged off the doubts that may have lingered from 2008. Heavy rain did come but RIAT’s winter planning proved successful with very few problems. RIAT is truly a unique event bringing more nations than any other airshow to celebrate the achievements of aviation, both military and civil.
RIAT returns over the 17th-18th July 2010 to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the operational theme of Training.
