NEWS - THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO 2003
RIAT 2003 – SOARAWAY SUCCESS!
The unique sight of a USAF F-117A stealth fighter flying in formation with the Red Arrows provided one of the many highlights at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
The stealth fighter, flown by former Red Arrow Sqn Leader Richie Matthews, flew for the first time in formation with a non-US aircraft. Other highlights included a demonstration of the raw power of the venerable Phantom F4, a display by a Royal New Zealand Air Force 757 which illustrated how manoeuvrability despite its size and the mock air-to-air refuelling of two German Navy Tornado receivers by an A330 Airbus tanker. On the ground, the biggest attraction was the 100 Years of Flight display which offered visitors a unique opportunity to see the history of aviation brought to life in an entertaining and informative way. It won universal praise for its size and the innovative way in which the 190 aircraft were presented. Visitor Ken Sewell, from West Byfleet, Surrey said: “My brother and I have been coming to the show for the past 10 years and this is the best yet. Everything’s been simply superb.” Attendance figures on both days were slightly down on 2002 but the traffic and security delays that affected last year’s event have not been repeated. New initiatives such as the introduction of park and ride buses at Swindon and an additional route to the airshow have meant there have been hardly any delays in accessing and departing the event. RIAT director Paul Bowen said: “The feedback from the public is that this year’s show is one of the best ever, and with the Red Arrows’ unique flypast with the F-117 and the majestic 100 Years of Flight presentation it is not difficult to see why.” On the ground, organisers said there were five lost children reported by parents and six children found during the weekend, a figure much lower than in previous years. The low figure is attributed to the introduction of a new wristband scheme which is worn by children and which carries their parents’ mobile telephone number. During the weekend, medical teams dealt with around 260 incidents ranging from a serious cardiac complaint to minor cuts and bruises. One man had to be airlifted to Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Saturday with a cardiac condition. After receiving a call at 11.09am, the Tattoo’s medical team acted swiftly on their life saving mission arriving on the scene five minutes later. He was taken to the medical centre and airlifted at 12.01pm arriving at 12.17pm. His condition is described as stable.
AIRSHOW SHAPES UP
Despite the current world situation, The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2003 is going ahead at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, on 19th and 20th July with a mega-celebration for 100 Years of Flight. Deployment of UK Armed Forces to the Gulf region has led to the postponement until next year of Defence 2003, billed for RIAT this July. Airshow organisers, however, have a very up-beat message. The show is on and it is anticipated that Europe’s biggest tribute to a century of aviation will attract over 200,000 spectators. The latest count shows close to 190 aircraft in the RIAT 100 Years of Flight panorama, with a star appearance by Eurofighter Typhoon. The future RAF front line jet will be on the ground for a close-up of its sleek 21st century lines, but there will also be a spectacular airborne performance for the fly-by-wire fighter.
HIGHER & FASTER - JOIN THE JET SET
As part of The Royal International Air Tattoo’s celebration of 100 Years of Flight, many of the most significant British aircraft from the jet era will be lining up at RAF Fairford on July 19-20 to pay tribute to this golden age of aviation. From the ground-breaking Gloster Meteor Prototype to the latest Eurofighter Typhoon, visitors will be able to view a Who’s Who of jet aircraft stretching from the 1940s to the present day - and beyond. Among other aircraft taking part will be the unique Saunders-Roe SR53 rocket-powered developmental aircraft of the late 1950s; an historic Canberra B2/6 which, in August 1957, set a world altitude record of 70,310ft; a Lightning, the first, and last, all-British supersonic fighter; and the world’s only airworthy Sea Vixen. The display will also see a modern-day Harrier ‘Jump Jet’ sharing the stage with its prototype, the Hawker P1127 (Kestrel), the first British fixed-wing aircraft capable of vertical take-offs.
