Arrivals

Words Mike Freer, photography Michael van der Mee and Mike Freer

The omens were not good. It looked as though this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo would be plagued with the same miserable weather that scuppered last year’s event. The Atlantic jet stream had once again moved south and settled over the United Kingdom bringing with it band after band of rain. Thankfully, RAF Fairford avoided the worst of it, although those that attended the air show on Sunday would probably disagree.

Following last year’s disaster, there were a number of changes. On base parking was once again permitted and steel matting was laid for vehicle parking in fields off base. The operational flight-line was moved to the northern side of the base. 

As is customary, the runway park and view areas were open to spectators and photographers during the arrival and departure days. This is always a popular feature of RIAT and attracts thousands of visitors from the UK and around the world. With the gates opening at 0730 the mass charge of photographers laden down with camera equipment to get the best positions is a sight to behold.

Due to budgetary cutbacks and operations abroad there was a severe reduction in the number of aircraft appearing this year, in absolute numbers more then 100 aircraft less then last year. Added to this, there were a number of last minute cancellations. This resulted in the arrival days being rather slow at times. Some of the “old timers” took advantage of this to have a snooze; not the sort of thing you would expect of hardened aviation photographers at the world’s premier military aviation event.

Generally speaking, the facilities were good and the smell of burgers being cooked by USAFE personnel reminded the author of those far off days at the RAF Mildenhall air shows.

Though not a ‘classic’ RIAT, this year’s event still produced two rarely seen aircraft. The Algerian Air Force was a new-comer with their C-130H and the Brazilian Air Force was represented by a CASA C-105A in a very eye catching colour scheme which was rewarded with the best livery award.

Michael specially thanks Mr. Paul Lindsay for making our day on the Wednesday and of course for arranging the B-52 especially for us down "Bravo" on the Thursday.

The Airshow

Words by Remco Donselaar, photography by Mike Freer, Michael van der Mee and Remco Donselaar.

While walking from the green car park towards the entrance, situated further on base than before, it started to rain cats and dogs. The umbrella couldn't prevent us from getting wet and after we bought an extra folding chair we settled down for the show to begin. With the rhythmic sound of raindrops our thoughts went to the day before.

Saturday saw us position in the farmers field opposite the runway in much better weather with lots of sunshine and a fresh breeze. We saw over there was a somewhat different show compared to other years. This year, the show contrasted with previous events with, maybe, too many fast jet displays and a lack of historic aircraft were main ingredients for the 8 hour program.

Out of 3 F/A-18 Hornet displays the Swiss display was outstanding and this was rewarded with the The Paul Bowen Trophy for the best jet display. For Captain Thomas ‘Pipo’ Peier of Fliegerstaffel 18 it was the second year in a row he was presented with it. Actually, it was the third time in a row the Swiss F-18 Solo Display took the trophy home.

Well, back to Sunday. After periods of heavy rain it started to clear up towards the end of the morning. Time for the Royal Jordanian Falcons to fly their, always, outstanding display. Luckily, the team flew their display routine in splendid weather conditions on three consecutive days, helping them win the Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy.

A very special display was given by the C-27J of the Italian Air Force. This bulky transport aircraft is the successor of the G.222 and amazed the crowds by showing it's agility.

It's one of the shows that attracts a lot of foreign visitors among the public and who get to see almost all the RAF display teams. With Volkel being the exception, these display teams don't appear at foreign shows often. The highlight, rewarded with the Steedman Display Sword for the Best Flying Demonstration by a UK participant, was the Eurofighter Typhoon.

RIAT once again proved it can attract visitors from all corners of the world. This year RIAT hosted a Boeing 757 from the Royal New Zealand Air Force which flew an impressive display.

Fleet Air Arm 100

Words Remco Donselaar, photography Mike Freer, Michael van der Mee and Remco Donselaar.

Expectations were high for this year's show and as is customary, it was a themed event This year RIAT celebrated 3 themes:

• Nato's 60^th Anniversary
• Sea Search 09
• Fly Navy 100

The predominate theme during the flying display was Fly Navy 100.

May 7^th saw the official celebration of 100 years of naval aviation with a large flypast of fixed and rotary wing aircraft over the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious which was moored in the river Thames near the famous Royal Naval College at Greenwhich. It was the first of many celebrations this summer across the UK including many flypasts. RIAT had the honour of hosting the largest flypast of all, even larger than the Yeovilton Air Day held during the previous week, being a Naval Air Station.

Both days, the flypast was planned at 14.00h local time overhead the airfield.  The roar of rotors and propellors and the noise of jet power crossed the sky when no less than 35 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft took off  from RAF Fairford in order to line up in the specially assigned holding areas prior the flypast. The flypast saw a total number of around 40 aircraft each day. On Sunday, the sight was particularly impressive as the flypast contained more aircraft than the previous day and happened just before one of the spare sunny moments dissappeared behind a dark cloud base.

The flyast wasn't the only performance of the Fleet Air Arm. Helicopter displays were given by Team Merlin flying a Navy Merlin for this ocasion and the good old Black Cats flying the Westland Lynx. Cobham Aviation Services and FRADU, showed the public their electronic warfare role delivered for the Royal Navy flying Falcon 20s and BAe Hawks.

The King Hussein Memorial Sword - presented in memory of the late HM King Hussein of Jordan, Patron of the International Air Tattoo (1983-1989) for the Best Overall Flying Demonstration - went to the Fleet Air Arm.

Departures 

Words Remco Donselaar, photography Mike Freer and Remco Donselaar 

Following a rather soggy Sunday, the weather conditions for the Monday departures day was much improved, but still mainly overcast. Once more proof was given that a forecast is only a forecast so it turned out a bit more disappointing than expected.

When we left our hotel the first raindrops started to fall from a mostly overcast sky and it didn't look too good for the rest of the day. After waiting in the que for the car park there however was a first taste of a sunny spell. With at least an hour to go we settled down at the west end park&view area and had breakfast with the thought of three hours of non-stop action to follow.

Suddenly, the sound was shattered by the roar of jet fighters getting airborne; these being a pair of Swedish Air Force Gripens. Although dry, conditions were very bad as the sun was behind some clouds with a blue sky in front of us. As with a lot of departures, they failed to keep low, much to the annoyance of the assembled photographers. This was followed by some pairs doing the same. The prise for the highest take off went to the French Air Force Rafales.

About an hour had passed when the real fun started. Who else than the Dutch guys of 322 squadron to be the first of a bunch of very low take offs. Followed by the Germans and even the  special painted Phantom of the Hellenic Air Force knew how to pose for a good photograph. This time the French proved they can fly low as well with the Mirage F1's leaving with a bit of sun coming through.

The USAFE showed some flair during their departures. The Lakenheath based F-15's had safety first on their priority list with the barrier spanned especially for them prior to departure. Other units, including the Ramstein based Hercules showed a fine piece of low level flying up to no less than 30ft above the runway!

After a couple of hours the mass of the participating aircraft had left, departures went on up till 2.30pm with the 'new' RNLAF Hercules G-988 being one of them. The very last aircraft departing RAF Fairford was the United States Air Force KC-10A Extender from 2^nd Air Refuelling Squadron based at McGuire Air Force Base.

Due to the weather RIAT 2009 can be rated from different perspectives. If you were a one day visitor, things could have turned out either way, good or bad, depending on which day you attended. Following the cancellation of last year's show, pre-booked tickets had to be purchased. This ticket system meant no on gate sales and limited tickets with admission on either Saturday or Sunday. Many had bought Saturday only or Sunday only admission tickets resulting in the Saturday being sold out some days in advance in result of the positive weather forecasts.

By RIAT standards, this year's aircraft attendance was well down on previous years standing at 269 aircraft. In defence of the RIAT team, it must be pointed out that over fifty aircraft cancelled at short notice. This showed up in the static park covering only a half of the area compared to other years. Between these a few striking aircraft with some colourfull scheme's took quality to a higher level. Arrival days were rather slow and during departures the participants left within some 4 hours. Fast jet solo displays were predominant during the flying display, with some types represented three times - for us, a bit too repetitive

Spoilt as we have been by classic RIAT shows in years gone by, this year's event rate three stars. However, there were a number of factors at play this year. There are however some apologetic factors for the show as it was. The lack of a Farnborough trade show this year prevented some really special and rare visitors from abroad coming over to the UK. Also RIAT had to deal with on-going defence cuts throughout the Western world.

Overall, a 3 star rating for this years RIAT, including arrival, show and departure days.