BBC TV Formula One presenter Suzi Perry flew in to RAF Fairford today in an XI Squadron Typhoon to launch Air Tattoo 2013. Gareth Stringer was there for GAR.
© Gareth Stringer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Suzi Perry experienced “the ultimate adrenalin rush” today when she flew from RAF Coningsby to RAF Fairford to attend the media launch for the 2013 Royal International Air Tattoo. Her ride was a Eurofighter Typhoon piloted by Officer Commanding XI Squadron, Wing Commander Rich Wells, and she arrived at Fairford soon after 1115.
The video below is courtesy of the RAF Mobile News Team and is © Crown Copyright:
Despite the rather grey and murky weather, Suzi was all smiles following a trip which saw her experience a performance take-off and fly supersonically en route to the Cotswolds from Lincolnshire. GAR caught up with her soon after her arrival, and she told us:
“I can’t imagine a bigger rush than that to be honest, I genuinely don’t think it’s possible. There was a lot of pure, unadulterated joy up there – it felt like we owned our own piece of sky. Experiencing the G forces as we looped and flew barrel rolls, and watching us go supersonic, it was all an amazing experience.
© Gareth Stringer – www.globalaviationresource.com
“It felt incredible, and just being involved with the RAF for a couple of days made it all very special for me.”
Also in attendance was Tucano Display Pilot Flt Lt Andrew Fyvie-Rae, along with display manager Flt Lt Dave Kirby, who brought their stunning desert-schemed Tucano down from RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
© Gareth Stringer – www.globalaviationresource.com
Joining them on the ground was an AgustaWestland A109 from the Empire Test Pilots’ School at MoD Boscombe Down. The 70th anniversary of ETPS is just one of the themes being marked at this year’s show and that was highlighted today not just by the A109 but by the number of current and former test pilots in attendance.
Sean Allerton also flew in to the launch, in a Piper Cherokee from the Cotswold Airport. Sean, a former RAF Regiment Gunner, is a disabled trainee pilot who has been awarded a scholarship from FSDP (Flying Scholarships for Disabled People), the charity inaugurated by Tim Prince and the late Paul Bowen, founders of the International Air Tattoo.
© Gareth Stringer – www.globalaviationresource.com
This year’s RIAT takes place on 20 – 21 July and as well as the eight hour flying display, including today’s announcement that an Italian Air Force KC-767 has been added, will also feature a new package of initiatives designed to make the show’s entertainment on the ground even more enjoyable. This was highlighted by Blake Samson’s performances at the launch today.
Blake is an Animal WD-40 Action Sports Tour stunt biker and he will be joined at this year’s show by the Caterham Driving Experience, just two of numerous new RIAT attractions.
© Gareth Stringer – www.globalaviationresource.com
We’ll be bringing you a full preview, with everything you need to know about the aircraft at RIAT 2013, soon.
In the meantime, visit RIAT’s official website for news and information.
Sounds like a Great Air Show whicch is Typical of the 17 years I spent there in seervice to the USAFE. I wishe we could be there to seee it but will need to depend on good MEDIA reporting with loads of photos, maybe a video so we can share in this Great Air Show. Here in Ohio the Dayton Air show just announced the American government will not allow any militayr aircraft to be flown in for the air show so they need to depend on private owners to fly their aircraft in for display and to put on a air display. The jury is out on how well this will go over with the public attendance.
Mike Solon USAF Ret 89
F4-J79 TIGERS Manager (Worldwide)