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2022-09-01
Held after Three Years, RIAT 2022 Comes out with Flying Colours
Three years since its last edition, the Gloucestershire-based airshow, Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), made its triumphant return with what its organisers say is its most successful show ever. The airshow welcomed 266 aircraft and 1,500 crew members from across the globe in a celebration of aviation, science, and engineering.
Visitors included representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain — the 57th nation to participate in RIAT with its first ever appearance, and A-list aviation enthusiast, Tom Cruise.
Paul Atherton, Chief Executive of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, the organisers of RIAT, said: “I’ve been blown away by the support we received for the long-awaited return of RIAT. Around 200,000 people were at the venue during the weekend —visitors, volunteers, partners, and all those involved in the build. I’d like to personally thank every single one of them for helping RIAT to return with such success.”
From 15 - 17 July, RAF Fairford played host to a three-day-long extravaganza of flying displays, static exhibits, and interactive family entertainment.
The first Air Tattoo was staged in 1971 at North Weald airfield in Essex with just over 100 aircraft taking part. From these small beginnings the show became the International Air Tattoo in 1976, and recognition of its unique status was granted by Her Majesty The Queen in 1996, at which time the current Royal International Air Tattoo title was adopted. From 1973 to 1983 the Air Tattoo was held at Greenham Common before moving to RAF Fairford in 1985.
Excitement was high, with tickets to all three days selling out before the show, and flying displays being extended to over eight hours to accommodate those from around the world who wished to participate.
USAF’s 75th Anniversary
Centred around the joint themes of “Training the Next Generation”, the United States’ Air Force’s 75th anniversary, and with a specific focus on sustainability, the show featured a spectacular line-up of aircraft. For the USAF, this included the E-4B, one of only four of its kind in the world.
The show organisers say they are measuring the impacts of the event in order to help them make improvements to their carbon footprint over the next few years.
Changes have already been taking place at this year’s show with the reduction in single use plastics, all waste being diverted from landfill, increased recycling of large event items and working with partners and exhibitors to highlight the innovations in aviation sustainability.
Cutting-edge sustainable examples included the fully-electric Pipistrel Electro, and the synthetically-fuelled Ikarus C42.
From astronauts to fighter pilots to ground and air crew, the show was filled with opportunities to interact with the people who make the world of aviation turn.
With the help of the RAF Charitable Trust, the charity for whom RIAT raises funds, a number of high-profile guests enthralled crowds in the Techno Zone with stories of trailblazing careers, intrepid space exploration, and cutting-edge science and technology.
Jo Salter, the UK’s first female fast jet pilot and an Ambassador of the RAF Charitable Trust said: “As incredible as the aircraft displays were, I was also taking a minute to appreciate the sight of young people returning to RIAT with excitement and enthusiasm.
The RAF Charitable Trust has done a stellar job of curating exhibitions, speakers and events that will inspire young people to fulfil their potential.
I’m sure many children who visited the event left as future pilots, engineers and scientists because of what they experienced.”
The RAF Charitable Trust has done a stellar job of curating exhibitions, speakers and events that will inspire young people to fulfil their potential.
I’m sure many children who visited the event left as future pilots, engineers and scientists because of what they experienced.”
Appetite for the show was sky-high after its three-year hiatus, with visitors coming from all over the world to see RIAT’s return. While many used the shuttle bus and park-and-ride services from Cheltenham and Swindon, one arrival had its roots firmly in Hollywood.
Top Gun star Tom Cruise’s visit was a closely-guarded secret, and the star spent time with RIAT visitors and volunteers, taking time to talk with those who had been inspired by his own passion for aviation.
Jo Salter said: “I had the amazing opportunity to host Tom Cruise on Saturday and saw first-hand his passion for aviation and inspiring the next generation.”
Cruising at Altitude
Tom Cruise arrived in style by flying his Aerospatiale AS350B3 Ecureuil helicopter right into the heart of the action.
A firm favourite of many celebrities, the RIAT can now add another Hollywood A-lister to its long list of supporters.
With the recent release of Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise’s visit comes at a time when passion and interest in aviation is at an all-time high.
Paul Atherton stated: “Tom’s visit is something we were trying really hard to keep under wraps but keeping secrets like that is hard when they’re so exciting! The Top Gun films and Tom’s famous passion for aircraft and flying have really helped to catapult aviation into the spotlight, which will help promote and inspire future generations of young people. RIAT is a home for those who appreciate the brilliance and excitement of the aviation world, so I am delighted to be able to welcome Tom to that home.”
Black Eagles Grab Accolades
The Republic of Korea Air Force display team, the Black Eagles, returned to RAF Fairford for RIAT 2022 after 10 years since their previous and only appearance at the Air Tattoo, where the team literally stole the show, quickly cementing a reputation as one of the best aerobatic display teams in the world by winning Best Overall Flying Demonstration plus voted best display by Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT).
Flying eight examples of the indigenously developed and afterburner equipped KAI T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer, the team were reformed in 2009 and this marks only the second time they have visited Europe.
Famed for their pinpoint accuracy and sophisticated manoeuvres, their jaw-dropping repertoire includes the now-famous “Taegeuk” — a representation of the South Korean flag drawn in aerial smoke.
This time around, the Black Eagles won the King Hussein Memorial Sword for best overall flying demonstration and the As the Crow Flies Trophy, the top two honours at RIAT.
The Black Eagles held a 25-minute show once daily for three consecutive days. On the first day of RIAT, the team performed the Taeguk sequence, which saw the jets form the shape of the Korean national flag Taegeukgi. They also showed 24 high-level manoeuvres.
STEM Techno Zone
The Techno Zone has aviation at its heart and is where the STEM subjects; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, are brought to life. There were lots of cutting-edge exhibits and interactive activities designed to engage and inspire future engineers at the show.
The Inspire Stage, introduced in 2022, was brought to the Techno Zone by the RAF Charitable Trust as a medium for sharing enthusiasm for all things STEM with engineers and scientists to inform and inspire.
Some incredible guests at the event included Tim Peake, Charles Duke, Andrew Smyth, and many more.
Three prototypes from the Primary Engineer’s year-long ‘If you were an engineer’ competition — in which primary school children develop a product which is then taken to the prototype stage by a team of university students — were presented at RIAT 2022, where the RAFCT-supported 2023 competition was also launched.
Embraer Presents KC-390, A-29
With its products currently available in more than 60 countries, Embraer made its presence felt at RIAT too.
The multi-mission KC-390 Millennium aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) was on static display, alongside the A-29 Super Tucano light attack and training aircraft.
The C-390 Millennium and its air-to-air refuelling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-role military transport aircraft delivering unrivalled mobility and cargo capacity, rapid re-configuration, improved comfort, and flight safety, as well as optimal management of reduced operational costs through its life cycle — all in a single platform.
Since its first delivery to FAB in 2019, the KC-390 Millennium has proven its capability and reliability. The aircraft was extensively used in operations to transport equipment and medical supplies, ranging from liquid oxygen to vehicles across Brazil at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The FAB’s current fleet of KC-390s stands at five units. Together, the fleet has exceeded 5,000 flight hours in operation with a mission completion rate of 97 per cent, demonstrating outstanding availability and productivity in its category.
Regarding the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, the worldwide fleet reached 500,000 flight hours earlier this year. With more than 260 units delivered, the aircraft has already been selected by over 15 air forces worldwide, with the most recent deliveries being to the Philippines and Nigerian Air Forces.
Leonardo’s Activities
Leonardo supported RIAT, playing a central role in the STEM Techno Zone. Several Leonardo aircraft, including the AW149, an RAF Typhoon, and the Italian Air Force’s M-346 and C-27J flew during the show. Many of them, along with the Royal Navy’s AW159 Wildcat and AW101 Merlin, both made by Leonardo, were on static display.
Over the past 100 years, Leonardo has designed and built some of the UK’s most iconic aircraft and developed a range of sensors that help guide them on their missions, identify their targets and protect them against incoming threats.
At this year’s RIAT Techno Zone, visitors had the opportunity to meet some of its young engineers, hearing why they chose a career in STEM and learning about some of the technology behind many of the aircraft on display, through hands-on interactive activities including: Thermal imaging camera: See yourself purely in the infrared and take and print a selfie using the thermal imaging technology.
The Horizon technology, developed at the Southampton site, is behind many military night vision systems and is now being used to capture amazing footage on nature programmes such as Planet Earth 2, Dynasties and Springwatch;
The Horizon technology, developed at the Southampton site, is behind many military night vision systems and is now being used to capture amazing footage on nature programmes such as Planet Earth 2, Dynasties and Springwatch;
Miysis: Sense and Detect — this exhibit simulates a real-life Miysis Direct Infrared Countermeasure, detecting threats and tracking them around the room;
AW101 Search & Rescue — can you locate and rescue those lost at sea with our AW101 exhibit? Cranking the handle will turn the miniature helicopter’s blades and cause it to lift off, after which attendees can steer it towards flashing red lights. Hovering over the lights will turn them green, saving the stranded seafarers.
Range of Aircraft
The Kingdom of Bahrain’s C-130J Hercules aircraft visited the Air Tattoo for static display and was warmly welcomed at RAF Fairford.
A Kawasaki C-2 aircraft from the Japan Air Self Defense Force arrived for static display to showcase the impressive transport aircraft.
The NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force earlier confirmed availability of their aircraft for the Air Tattoo, and one of its E-3A Sentry aircraft performed a flypast during the flying display.
Visitors to RIAT were also treated to an appearance from the amazing Airbus BelugaXL performing two flypasts during the flying display programme.
The RAF Red Arrows flew with the RAF’s new Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to open the RIAT flying display and the venue also witnessed a unique pairing of the RAF Red Arrows alongside the ROKAF Black Eagles.
Village Green
The Village Green was a new immersive experience for 2022 encapsulating a range of features and activities for everyone including the popular Vintage Village. Located in the Green Zone to the western end of the showground, the Village Green provided a perfect location to view the fantastic flying displays and was also close to some of the display teams’ aircraft.
Volunteers Reunite
Two aircraft enthusiasts who grew up together in India were reunited after 10 years while volunteering at the world’s largest military airshow.
Ankur Sharma and Kunal Bharti were volunteering at the Royal International Air Tattoo for the first time this year in the hospitality team, managing the chalet clients.
The two went to kindergarten and school together in Delhi before each of them moved away in their 20s. Whilst they have kept in touch over the years, their stint at the airshow is the first time they’ve seen each other in 10 years.
Ankur, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, has been volunteering at Avalon airshow in the city for 15 years but decided a stint at the Air Tattoo would provide an opportunity to reunite with his friend.
The RIAT has a team of 1,500 volunteers, working in roles ranging from customer service and hospitality to site and engineers.
Excitement Builds for 2023
There are still several months to go before #RIAT23 and enthusiasts have already bought nearly all Saturday’s super early bird tickets.
On 14-16 July 2023, RAF Fairford will be buzzing with excited visitors and the Cotswolds will echo once again with the thrilling sights and sounds of several hundred aircraft of all shapes and sizes, from all eras and countries of the world, gathering for the adrenalin-fuelled occasion.
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust benefits from the profits of all sales and has supported a diverse range of initiatives totalling millions of pounds — from engineering and flying scholarships to adventurous training grants.
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