Posted by Flightline UK on 24/06/2011 under Military Airshows, Royal Air Force | 
THE first public appearance of the Royal Air Force’s largest and newest aircraft will take place at the Royal International Air Tattoo next month.
The much-anticipated A330 tanker will feature on static display at the airshow at RAF Fairford on July 16-17 and will take part in an official naming ceremony to confirm its prestigious title, Voyager.
RAF A330 Voyager
It will be the longest and widest aircraft in the RAF’s fleet with a wing span of 60 metres.
Voyager has been designed to carry a payload of up to 45 tonnes, which can include up to 291 passengers or 111 tonnes of fuel for its air-to-air refuelling or air transport missions.
Dave Mitchard, Managing Director for AirTanker Services Ltd – the company delivering the fleet to the RAF at Brize Norton – said: “We are delighted to have the Voyager aircraft on public display for the first time this year.
“The Air Tattoo provides the perfect showcase for the RAF’s future tanker and transport aircraft and we’re thoroughly looking forward to bringing it into service towards the end of this year.”
AirTanker’s contract with the Ministry of Defence will see them provide 14 purpose-built A330 tanker and transport aircraft, as well as the associated support services, including training, maintenance, infrastructure, flight operations and ground services.
Dave continued: “We’re going to provide a step change in capability for the RAF.
RAF A330 Voyager
“We are using a new, modern aircraft, where traditionally the RAF has used existing aircraft and converted them for specific usage. Voyager will therefore have all the benefits associated with a new aircraft such as better fuel efficiency, greater reliability and quieter engines, which is particularly good news for those living in the local area.”
The first two aircraft within the Voyager fleet, which will replace the VC-10 and Tristar, have been converted by Airbus Military in their purpose-built facility near Madrid, Spain. Once the aircraft have been certified and qualified, they will be owned by AirTanker and leased to the Royal Air Force.
AirTanker has five shareholders – all well-known names within the defence and aviation sectors – who are also subcontractors for the programme. They are Babcock, Cobham, EADS, Rolls-Royce and Thales.
The A330 will also have an aeromedical capability, which will enable it to carry up to 40 NATO stretchers and three critical care patients.
The name Voyager follows the heritage of a number of RAF tanker aircraft, with the names beginning with V, specifically the Victor and the VC-10 Tanker aircraft.
Squadron Leader Kevin Latchman, 30, who will be one of the first pilots to operate Voyager when the first of 14 A330s come in to service in the autumn, said: “This is a completely different way of doing business for the Royal Air Force and it has the potential to revolutionise an existing capability. The aircraft is brand new and being one of the first pilots to fly it is a very exciting prospect.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the Voyager at RIAT, especially because it will start to focus the mind on the fact that the aircraft will soon be entering service.”
This summer’s Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and hosting a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.
Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
Posted by Flightline UK on 13/06/2011 under Military Airshows |
An iconic Russian combat jet will be a star item in RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011’s Flying Display. Making a first-time appearance at the show, a MiG-29 is the latest addition to this year’s line-up of modern military airpower. Presented by the Polish Air Force, the MiG-29 will showcase many of the outstanding capabilities that keep it among the most proficient and potent jet fighters in service today.
The MiG-29 was developed in the 1970s as an advanced, fourth-generation fighter to replace the likes of the MiG-21 in Russian Air Force service. Twin-tailed, with long, prominent air intakes, Mach 2-capable, extremely agile and equipped with seven weapons hardpoints for the carriage of bombs, rockets and missiles, the MiG-29 is an extremely capable and effective air superiority fighter.
The type has been thrilling airshow audiences with its power and its sheer manoeuvrability since the late 1980s but, in more recent years, chances to see the MiG-29 in Western European skies have become increasingly rarer.
“The MiG-29 is a fantastic addition to the line-up and an example that has never been seen at an Air Day. This is an extremely rare opportunity to see a former Eastern bloc type extensively used during the Cold War. We look forward to welcoming the Polish Air Force and their display to Air Day” says Commander Ric Fox, Air Display Director.
To date, well over 1,500 examples of this aircraft have been produced and Poland presently operates upwards of 30 of these. The Polish Air Force has attended previous Air Days but this will be its first flying contribution to the show and, potentially, the only MiG-29 display in the UK this year.
The Polish military’s involvement to the show also includes a CASA C-295 transport aircraft and a M28 Bryza maritime patrol aircraft, which joins other NATO assets in the Air Day Static Display.
The current list of participating aircraft can be viewed at www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk. Tickets are available online or via the ticketline on 08445 781 781
Posted by Flightline UK on under Military Airshows |
One of the world’s most potent Soviet-built jet fighters, rarely seen in the UK, will make a welcome appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford next month.
The Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’, which can fly at speeds of up to 1,550mph, was first developed in the 1970s to counter the US Air Force’s new F-15 Eagle. It is often considered to be the best and most successful Russian-built fighter of the Cold War era. The Eastern European fighters were last seen at the Air Tattoo 12 years ago, having made their debut at the airshow in 1996.
When it returns for the airshow on July 16-17, the aircraft will be accompanied by a large Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft.
Air Tattoo Chief Executive Tim Prince said the Ukrainians’ participation underlined the airshow’s global reputation built up during the past 40 years.
He said: “We regularly receive wish lists from enthusiasts hoping to see specific aircraft and on almost all, the Su-27 ‘Flanker’ comes either top or close to the top. It is an incredibly large and distinctive looking aircraft with immense manoeuvrability and power.
“I’m absolutely delighted that visitors to the Air Tattoo next month will be able to see such an iconic aircraft along with another from the same era, the Vulcan bomber.”
This summer’s Air Tattoo will be marking its 40th anniversary and hosting a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.
Nine aerobatic display teams from around the world will be performing in the flying display along with aircraft from countries including the US, Oman, Turkey, Sweden Italy, Austria, Denmark and Jordan. On Sunday, visitors will also be able to see a one-off lunchtime performance by X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke.
Tickets are available by visiting www.airtattoo.com or calling 0800 107 1940. All tickets must be purchased in advance. All accompanied under-16s go free.
