2012 RAF Waddington International Air Show Themes now released

The 2012 RAF Waddington International Air Show will take place on 30 June and 1 July next year.   The event will mark 100 years of the Central Flying School, The Year of Lincolnshire aviation and it will also celebrate ISTAR capability of the Royal Air Force.

1. The commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Central Flying School (CFS)

The Central Flying School is the longest serving flying school in the world.  This is a record of which we are understandably proud.

The concept of a British military air force was born in 1911 when Herbert Asquith, the Prime Minister, instructed the Committee of Imperial Defence to examine the questions of naval and military aviation and suggest measures to create an efficient air force. The Committee recommended the formation of a Royal Flying Corps comprising a Military Wing, a Naval Wing, a Reserve, the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough and the Central Flying School (CFS). Although the cost of CFS was to be borne equally by the Army and the Navy, its administration was the responsibility of the War Office. In compensation, a naval officer, Captain Godfrey Paine, RN was chosen to be the first Commandant. He was informed by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, that he must learn to fly within two weeks if he was to take up the appointment. He successfully completed his somewhat rushed conversion at Eastchurch under the eye of Lieutenant Arthur Longmore, RN.

CFS was formed at Upavon in Wiltshire on 12 May 1912. The primary aim was not to produce aviators as such, but professional war pilots. This was to be achieved by accepting for advanced training only men who already held a Royal Aero Club Certificate, although they were offered a refund of part of their expenses incurred in private tuition. Having obtained their Pilots Certificates in order to qualify for the course, the students were taught to fly all types of aircraft available at the school. The inventory then consisted of Maurice Farman, Henri Farman, Shorts, Avros and Bristol Bi-planes. No 1 course was completed on 5 December 1912 and graduates could carry out short cross-country flights and local flights of 20 to 30 minutes, at heights around 1500 feet. The ground training syllabus included theory of flight, map reading, strength of materials, military and naval aviation history, hints on flying and practical work on Gnome and Renault engines and aircraft repair . The standard for a pass was 50% in each subject and 60% overall.

1. Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL)

More than 70 delegates attended AHL’s 2011 Autumn Conference, fittingly held in the Officers Mess at the former Hemswell RAF base.  Highlights included an overview of AHL’s exciting new education resource TAKE FLIGHT, one of the key programmes funded by AHL’s Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) award of £436,000. TAKE FLIGHT is designed to highlight Lincolnshire’s aviation heritage to young people across the county and throughout the UK, encouraging school visits to county venues and providing direct access to new educational resources.

As AHL moves into 2012 it will also provide fund raising support for the Wickenby based charity, Flights for Life, which provides “sick and seriously ill children with the unique experience of flying in a vintage aircraft.”

1. Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR)

RAF Waddington is home to RAF Air Command surveillance and reconnaissance assets.  Almost continuously active since first opening as a Royal Flying Corps training base in 1916, Waddington has since become one of the RAF’s busiest operational airfields and, today, the squadrons and personnel are involved in supporting operations all around the world.  The Station’s motto ‘For Faith and Freedom’ is as appropriate for today’s tasks as it was during the Second World War when the station was part of Bomber Command, and serves as a constant reminder of our on-going contribution to Defence.

RAF Waddington enjoys excellent relationships with the local community contributing to the economy as well as humanitarian and charitable causes.  The City of Lincoln honoured the station with the Freedom of the City on 25 April 1959.

What is in the pipe line for 2012?

We do take a great deal of notice from our keen followers and we are well aware of the desire for more fast jet action within the flying display. Planning is moving on a pace and we are working extremely hard in trying to build dynamic and exciting flying and static displays along with all the other attractions needed to make a great family day out.  Keep your eye on the Air Show website for regular updates!