I went to Fairford today to attend the first day of the two day event known as The Royal International Air Tattoo (or RIAT).
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I've not been to RIAT since 2006 and this year I've really noticed just how much gear the US Air ***** has compared with the Royal Air ***** (UK military aviation). America has a great many fighter jets, cargo planes, air-to-air refuelers and helicopters. It may not sound much but there are so many variants going that do different things (depending on the mission involved).
I met a good number of US aircrew today and spoke to a couple of pilots about the roles their aircraft undertook. Obviously, if you're someone who regularly attends airshows then my thread here will be nothing special really. But I just wanted to tell you all how great this year's show has been (despite the gruesome wet weather we're having). Yes, we did have a couple of showers this morning (including one that was very heavy) but for the rest of the time the flying was top of the class and the pilots, aircrew & engineers (of all nationalities) who stood by their static displays to talk to members of the public were brilliant.
We've had a special visitor this year too - the B2 Bomber called the Spirit of New York has come for all to see (but she won't be flying).
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Aircrew were on hand to answer any questions you had, but when I went round the aircraft they were waiting for some VIPs to arrive.
I was impressed also by the fact that this plane was guarded by armed police (from the UK) to stop anything terrible happening (if such a thing did occur). I don't need to mention the threats really, we all know what they are.
I have plenty of "favourite moments" from today but one that I remember well is of me seeing a US Air ***** poster that was for sale. It showed a refueling tanker flying high in the sky and underneath it said "Air-To-Air Refueling. Without Our Gas, You Can't Kick Ass!". Well said! Because the crews who fly those sorts of aircraft should not be forgotten in my opinion. They are just as important as the fighter pilots.
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I've not been to RIAT since 2006 and this year I've really noticed just how much gear the US Air ***** has compared with the Royal Air ***** (UK military aviation). America has a great many fighter jets, cargo planes, air-to-air refuelers and helicopters. It may not sound much but there are so many variants going that do different things (depending on the mission involved).
I met a good number of US aircrew today and spoke to a couple of pilots about the roles their aircraft undertook. Obviously, if you're someone who regularly attends airshows then my thread here will be nothing special really. But I just wanted to tell you all how great this year's show has been (despite the gruesome wet weather we're having). Yes, we did have a couple of showers this morning (including one that was very heavy) but for the rest of the time the flying was top of the class and the pilots, aircrew & engineers (of all nationalities) who stood by their static displays to talk to members of the public were brilliant.
We've had a special visitor this year too - the B2 Bomber called the Spirit of New York has come for all to see (but she won't be flying).
Premium Link Upgrade
Aircrew were on hand to answer any questions you had, but when I went round the aircraft they were waiting for some VIPs to arrive.
I was impressed also by the fact that this plane was guarded by armed police (from the UK) to stop anything terrible happening (if such a thing did occur). I don't need to mention the threats really, we all know what they are.
I have plenty of "favourite moments" from today but one that I remember well is of me seeing a US Air ***** poster that was for sale. It showed a refueling tanker flying high in the sky and underneath it said "Air-To-Air Refueling. Without Our Gas, You Can't Kick Ass!". Well said! Because the crews who fly those sorts of aircraft should not be forgotten in my opinion. They are just as important as the fighter pilots.
