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2010 UK Airshows : REVIEW
Royal International Air Tattoo 2010 - Return of the Raptor
In 2008, the F-22A Raptor was to have made it's European public display debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo. As we all know, the weather intervened and apart from those lucky enough to be at Fairford during the Friday rehearsal or at Farnborough the following Monday, the public were denied the chance to see this fifth generation fighter. Thankfully, the weather was much better in 2010 and the F-22A could finally perform in front of the British public in the hands of Major Dave "Zeke" Skalicky.
Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports.
It's not often that a United States Air Force display dominates the flying display at RIAT as the F-22 did this year. Generally, USAF displays are rather mundane compared to the displays we are treated to from the RAF and European air arms. The F-22 is different. It's thrust vectoring capabilities and overall performance make it an enthralling aircraft to watch being put through it's paces. Some parts of it's display sequence are reminders of displays given by Russian machinery in the mid-nineties when MiG-29 and Su-27 derivatives dominated the skies over Farnborough.
Four F-22A Raptors arrived at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on the Tuesday before the airshow. While two aircraft were earmarked for displays at RIAT and Farnborough, the other two seemed to have enjoyed exercising with European allies during their stay.
The display pilot for the 2010 season is Major Dave "Zeke" Skalicky. Based at Langley Air Force Base he is responsible for representing Air Combat Command, United States Air Force, Department of Defence, and United States of America at more than 30 air shows annually. Zeke has previous flown the F-15C Eagle before being assigned to the F-22. In 2008, "Zeke" became the USAF's second F-22 demonstration pilot following in the footsteps of Paul "Max" Moga who had visited Fairford in 2008.
Two Raptors arrived at Fairford early on Thursday morning ready for a busy day of rehearsals. Zeke's first RIAT rehearsal was cut short by one of the many rain showers that plagued Fairford in the run up to the event, but later on he was able to perform a full validation at Farnborough operating from Fairford.
It was not until the Friday we finally got to see the full 2010 F-22 display for the first time. The first thing that immediately strikes you as you watch the display is the amount of control and pilot has over the F-22 when in the thrust vectoring phase of flight. Some of the figures flown are more akin to what you would expect a little Pitts Special to perform rather than 30 tonnes of jet fighter!
During the public days, the appearance of the F-22 over the far side of the airfield taxiing for the runway brought an amazing hush to the crowd line in anticipation of its display. The commentary for the display was typically American hyping up the aircraft's abilities and roles to the crowd leaving you in no doubt this aircraft was all about "dominance!"
Zeke's displays at RIAT and Farnborough have been one of the outstanding highlights of the year and hopefully it's won't be too long before we can enjoy the F-22 display again in UK skies!
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