Brief History of the Royal International Air Tattoo

Brief History of the Royal International Air Tattoo

The world’s largest military air show, The Royal International Air Tattoo or simply known as the RIAT, hold schedules annually on the third weekend of July, in support for The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. The Royal International Air Tattoo is consistently held at RAF Fair-ford in Gloucestershire, England. Over the weekend, the show regularly captivates and fascinates a total of 150,000 to 160,000 spectators.

In 1971, the first Air Tattoo was staged at North Weald Airfield in Essex with estimated 100 aircraft attended. The event was founded and established by CAA Air Traffic Controllers, Paul Bowen, Timothy Prince, and Sir Denis Crowley-Milling, an Air Marshal. From 1973 to 1983, it was occasionally held at RAF Greenham Common, originally under the title of the Royal Air Forces Association, South Eastern Area, Air Tattoo prior moving to RAF Fair-ford in the year 1985. It was in 1976 that the show became the International Air Tattoo. In 1996, the acceptance and realisation of its unique status was granted by Queen Elizabeth II when the current Royal International Air Tattoo title was adopted.

Until it became an annual show from 1993, the event took place at Fair-ford once in every two years. Due to the redevelopment work at RAF Fair-ford, the Royal International Air Tattoo was temporarily held at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland in 2000 and 2001. It was in 2003 that Guinness World Records have recognised RIAT as the world’s largest ever military airshow, with 535 aircraft in attendance. 224 aircraft from 32 air arms were on display in the year 2014.

The event has had a number of air show firsts, which includes the first display and landing of the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber outside the United States of America in 1997 and in 2008, the first landing of the Lockheed F-22 Raptor in Europe.

The Royal International Air Tattoo showcases the military world and has developed into a great and influential forerunner to the Farnborough Airshow, which takes place a week after RIAT, every even year. This allows the military aerospace industry to exhibit, parade and present its products outside the commercial pressures of the Farnborough show.

Last July 8 to 10, 2016, the World’s largest airshow, the Royal International Air Tattoo was held.

Get the chance to see and witness the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England next year, June 2017! If you prefer and decide to book chartered private jet flights, Charter Flight Group will be happy to assist you with your travelling needs.

If you are stressed of flying with hundreds of passengers, get in with the longest line when checking in, waiting for your delayed flights, why not opt for chartered private jet flights?  Book now!