The Royal International Air Tattoo: Still "the greatest airshow in the world"

It's been three years since RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire was able to play host to the world’s largest military airshow. And all three days were a sellout before the gates opened.

And it was an amazing weekend - not least for the aircraft but also for the sizzling temperatures.

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 57^th nation to participate in RIAT with its first ever appearance, and Hollywood Top Gun, Tom Cruise.

For aircraft enthusiasts and the aviation sector as a whole, it was an amazing prelude to the Farnborough Air Show, which is also making a return later this week.

Paul Atherton, Chief Executive of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, the organisers of RIAT, said: “I’ve been blown away by the support we have received for the long-awaited return of RIAT. Around 200,000 people have been here this 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 hosted the three-day-long extravaganza of flying displays, static exhibits, and interactive family entertainment.

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.

But the organisers admit that the air show isn't the most carbon-friendly of events and 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 that they are making in aviation sustainability.

You can also read: REGION’S INNOVATORS HEAD TO SWEDEN FOR INNOVATE UK VISIT TO DRIVE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

Cutting-edge sustainable examples included the fully-electric Pipistrel Velis Electro, and the synthetically-fuelled Ikarus C42.

And: PLANES RUNNING ON BATTERIES AND HYDROGEN TO BECOME A REALITY UNDER NEW AVIATION GROUP

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: “The line-up this weekend has been brilliant. As incredible as the aircraft displays are, I’ve also been 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 this weekend left as future pilots, engineers and scientists because of what they experienced here.”

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.”

Tickets for next year are already on sale here: https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets