RIAT25 Award Winners Revealed
- 21st Jul 2025
This year the aviation showcase saw record demand for tickets and huge crowd of over 175,000 people at RAF Fairford.
With over 200 aircraft featuring in this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the event has unveiled this year’s highlights as part of its annual awards ceremony.
The Royal International Air Tattoo celebrates a variety of awards open to both flying display participants and static display crews. This year the following participants were recognised:
Presented at the Gala Dinner:
The RUAG Trophy (Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Concours d'Elegance):
C-130H from No 6 Air Mobility Sqn, No 35 Air Mobility Wing, Pakistan Air Force, Gp Capt Muhammad Ahsan Zafar.
The Northrop Grumman Trophy (Awarded to the Runner-up of the Concours d’Elegance Competition):
R4D-6S and Wing Leader Chris Volpe and Colonels Dan Gleason and Henry Simpson.
The Boeing Trophy (Awarded to the Concours d'Elegance Best Civilian Aircraft):
D8C, Captained by Grant Warner and Gerald Marcoux.
The MOOG Trophy (Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Crew Challenge):
Team The All Flaps – from 40 Sqn Royal New Zealand Air Force.
The Lockheed Martin Trophy (Awarded for the Crew Challenge Runner Up):
Team Night Owls from 67th Special Operations Sqn, 352 Special Operations Wg,RAF Mildenhall United States Air Force.
The RTX Trophy (Awarded for the Crew Challenge Aircraft Recognition Competition):
Team TOP GOATS from 1 Flying Training School, RAF Shawbury.
The ‘Spirit of the Meet’ Trophy (Awarded to the participant embodying the spirit of the Air Tattoo)
In recognition of their efforts deploying a pair of indigenous fighter aircraft, on a 4000 mile journey, alongside a tanker and special painted transport aircraft, and presenting them in a colourful and engaging static display, the Spirit of the Meet award for the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 is presented to the Pakistan Air Force.
Then, on Sunday night the following awards were presented at the Aircrew Awards Ceremony :
THE KING HUSSEIN MEMORIAL SWORD: Presented in memory of the late HM King Hussein of Jordan, former Patron of the International Air Tattoo, for the overall most polished and precise flying demonstration.
For a crisp, accurate, precise flying demonstration, captivating the audience despite the poor weather, the winner is Captain Andrej Andrej Fiorelli, flying the Pilatus PC-9M, from the Slovenian Armed Forces.
THE PAUL BOWEN TROPHY: Presented in memory of the Royal International Air Tattoo co-founder Paul Bowen for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration.
Showing integrity and skill to safely manage his display, in challenging and unusual situational, and then demonstrating the agility of a potent combat aircraft over the following days, the winner is the Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer of 29 Squadron and the Royal Air Force BAE Systems Typhoon FGR.4.
THE SIR DOUGLAS BADER TROPHY: Presented for the Best Individual Flying Demonstration.
A stalwart of the European display circuit for a number of years, enthusiastically demonstrating an iconic airframe in spectacular livery, in a powerful yet graceful display routine, the winner is Captain Troels ‘TEO’ Vang of the Royal Danish Air Force, flying the F-16AM Fighting Falcon.
THE RAFCTE TROPHY: Presented for the Best Flying Demonstration by an Overseas Participant.
For an usual pairs demonstration showing both operationally skilful flying in a fun and entertaining manner. The winner is the pairs display of the W-3A Sokol helicopters, of the 243rd Helicopter Squadron, Czech Air Force, flown by Lt. Col. Petr Safarik and Maj. Antonin Petru.
THE STEEDMAN DISPLAY SWORD: Presented in memory of the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Alasdair Steedman, Former Chairman of the International Air Tattoo, for the most notable contribution to the Air Tattoo by a British participant.
For a tight and crowd-pleasing display, flown with precision and panache, representing the best of the Royal Air Force, with three perfect displays and a keynote mixed formation. The sword is presented to the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.
THE ‘AS THE CROW FLIES’ TROPHY: Presented for the best overall flying demonstration as judged by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT), the show’s aviation enthusiast supporters club.
For an aggressive and powerful demonstration, the F-16C Fighting Falcon of the Polish Air Force ‘Tiger Demo Team’ flown by Major Maciej ‘SLAB’ Krakowian.
BEST LIVERY TROPHY: Awarded to the aircraft with the most spectacular special colour scheme on display at RIAT25, judged by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT), the show’s aviation enthusiast supporters club.
The F-16AM Fighting Falcon, E-006 “Dannebrog II”, livery from the Royal Danish Air Force!
ENGAGEMENT TROPHY. New for RIAT25, the Engagement Trophy will presented for the most engaging, interactive and visually attractive static aircraft display.
This aircraft was manned by its crew throughout the Saturday & Sunday, allowing visitor to access the cockpit, giving flying helmets and equipment to children to pose for photographs, embracing the spirit and ethos of the Air Tattoo, well representing their nation and exhibiting an iconic helicopter type. The winner of the RIAT Engagement Trophy for 2025 is the crews from 2nd Helicopter Squadron of the Swedish Air Force, with their Sikorsky Hkp.16 Black Hawk aircraft.
