Facts and Anecdotes

Did you know………………

  • A team of around 3,000 volunteers - ranging from air traffic controllers and aircraft engineers to medics and firefighters - provide the backbone of the Air Tattoo
  • More than 15,000 packed meals are produced for the volunteer staff during the Airshow
  • Air Tattoo organisers increase the number of catering staff from four to 380 during the period of the airshow
  • More than 3,000 bottles of champagne and wine are drunk during the Air Tattoo
  • 100,000 individual pieces of crockery, cutlery and glassware are brought in to cater for guests
  • More than four miles of fencing and barriers have to be erected and 50kms of rope & stake put up
  • 10,000 cones are laid out on the airfield for routing vehicles and static aircraft
  • 535 aircraft attended the Air Tattoo in 2003 leading to it being officially recognised as the 'world's largest military airshow' by the Guinness World Records  

Airshow Testimonials.......

  • "It was fantastic.  I loved every minute of it"
    Ms T Hart, Swindon
  • "The whole family enjoyed the day, great value for money!"
    Mr Lucas, Guildford
  •  "No traffic problems, we were in the showground within 40 minutes"
    Robert Perkins, Swindon
  • "It's all about show business "
    Capt Gert-Jan Vooren, Display Pilot, Royal Netherlands Air Force
  • "We have now visited airshows at Paris, Oshkosh, Farnborough as well as some smaller ones but this time you trumped them all'
    Derek and Rebekah Fowler, Woking
  • "I would like to say a big thank you for all you did to make our visit to the Air Tattoo a most spectacular exhilarating and above all memorable day out"
    Suzette Bradman, Cherished Memories
  • "This is my favourite airshow.  I am always proud to come back.  The Air Tattoo is unique"
    General John Jumper, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Ret'd
  • "As a first-timer to FRIAT, thanks for an enjoyable six days – see you next year"
    Martin, Essex
  • "That this year's Tattoo remained so impressive is a testament to its enduring pre-eminence and appeal"
    Aircraft Illustrated, September 2006
  • "This is the best airshow"
    Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 astronaut
  • "It's a hard-to-beat experience"
    P Tabois, Grimsby
  • "It was a difficult time to hold a military airshow with so much uncertainty in the Middle East yet Air Tattoo still managed to create an event to entertain and inspire everyone"
    Paul Johnson, Flightline UK