RAF Waddington has gone “sky high” with the proceeds raised in aid of Charity at the 2011 International Air Show. Both the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) and The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) will each benefit from a whopping £50,000 donation. The local community are also set to benefit from a £17,500 donation to the Station Charities Fund. Read more >> http://www.waddingtonairshow.co.uk/charities.

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!

Another great display will come from the Belgian Air Force F-16 solo display, so don’t forget your ear defenders! For those who long for a little nostalgia we are pleased to announce that the Vulcan will be here again this year, appearing on both show days, and parked between displays in an area accessible for the enthusiastic photographer. Along with the old lady we are also welcoming the return of Sally B the World War 2 B-17 bomber thrilling us with her evocative flying display. Keep a close eye on the website for further updates to the flying and static displays as most nations don’t commit to the display season until April/May time.

Our ground based entertainment will also see many new additions, including a new exhibition in the Main Exhibition Hangar where BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenters will stage a brand new show that will include discussions with display pilots, footage from their flying routines, videos from previous Air Shows and behind the scenes footage from RAF Waddington units. The Royal Air Force is currently involved in several operations abroad, and this exhibition will provide an ideal opportunity for everyone to ask those burning questions and gain more understanding of the role of the Royal Air Force.

Finally, after their fantastic appearance last year we are delighted to announce the return of the New York based Manhattan Dolls singing trio. Their 2010 performance brought the largest audience to the bandstand that we have ever experienced and they were overjoyed when we asked them to return for a second year.

Why don’t YOU tell us how you enjoyed last year’s Air Show, what was your favourite part and what you would do without?

We have just had confirmation of the Royal Naval flying participation in this year’s show. They will be appearing in greater numbers than for some years. Expect to be thrilled by the Merlin, the Lynx, a pair of Jetstreams and the appearance of the Royal Naval Historical Flight. This is an amazing variety of Naval aviation and is one not to be missed.

You will have noted the change of aircraft on the home page from the F-111 to the Czech Air Force Gripen. It is with great regret that we have to announce that the F-111 from the Royal Australian Air Force will not be appearing at the show. We had approached the RAAF with a proposal to bring the F-111 on a farewell tour of the UK prior to its retirement from service later this year. We had a favourable response and we were just waiting for the final approval. Unfortunately, the aircraft suffered a major problem whilst attending the Singapore Air Show earlier this year and the fleet is now grounded. We have been informed by the RAAF that, reluctantly, they will not now be able to appear here at the show. It is disappointing, but we are still in negotiations with a number of other Air Forces and we hope to have news of more great flying displays in the near future. Do keep a close eye on the website for further great additions to the show.

We do take a great deal of notice from our customers and we are well aware of the desire for more fast jet action within the flying display. As we have said in the past we can only invite other participants, we cannot compel anyone to attend. We have been very proactive since the 2009 show and have spoken to a number of nations trying to attract them to the 2010 show. It is very early in the preparations to expect confirmations but we have had an early success. The Czech Armed Forces will be represented at Waddington in 2010 with a JAS-39 Gripen both flying and static, an L-159 ALCA flying and static and static displays from an Mi-24 Hind helicopter and an Antonov AN-26 transport aircraft. We have also had wide interest from other countries who are yet to confirm.

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.

Not to be out done, the Red Arrows will also be flying with the Vulcan over the Air Show weekend, this time on Sunday 5 July. Another fantastic opportunity to see these all time favourites gracing the skies over Waddington.

This year is proving to be a little more difficult to attract flying display aircraft and this has been made more difficult because the RAF is only providing a Typhoon and Hawk fast jet displays this year. We must always be aware of the considerable strain put on operational aircraft and aircrews during the current operations.

Although we are lacking in fast jet displays we do still have a full 7 hour display with 5 international display teams and wealth of other aircraft. We are constantly trying to bring variety to the show and we never give up.

The static display is growing nicely with recent additions from a number of nations providing participants. We now have confirmed aircraft from Germany, the Netherlands, the USA and France and we are very confident of adding to this list. Our flying co-ordinator is in constant contact with a very wide range of operators to ensure the best display possible is brought to Waddington. Keep a close eye on the website.

This year will also see an addition to our renowned music performances. Late afternoon on Saturday and Sunday at the entrance of the Main Exhibition Hangar there will be a Beating of Retreat ceremony performed by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment. This will be the first time we have had this spectacle and we feel sure it will be well received.

2009 Air Show
This year’s air show will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the formation of NATO and we plan to include representative aircraft from all NATO Nations whether flying or in the static display.  We are also hoping that the Indian Air Force will return with their Mig 29′s.  The Polish National Display Team – The Orliks – will be making a welcome return and we hope that the Patrouille De France will also attend.  Many of you will have seen the web article concerning the Saudi Hawks.  We have been working with the Team since March 2008 trying to get them to the Show and we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be successful.  Subject to serviceability, we will also have the Vulcan and the newly restored Constellation from Holland. On the ground, we have themed all of our enclosures to represent famous people or aircraft from the history of the RAF and our centre-piece will be an RAF Village featuring recruiting, operational and leisure activities.  We will be expanding our hangar displays with the Youth Hangar, concentrating on Science and Technology, occupying all of No 5 Hangar.  No 3 Hangar will, as always, feature our main display.  There will also be over 200 trade stands, 2 craft marquees, a funfair and a classic car display.

Our new website www.waddingtonairshow.co.uk has just been released – feel free to browse through our new image gallery, enter our photo competition, find out about 2009 participating aircraft or purchase your air show tickets.  Our partnership with East Midlands Trains will give you the opportunity to purchase a joint rail and air show ticket from anywhere in the UK, at a discounted rate.  A new section of the website, dedicated to air show visitors with disabilities, lists all useful information in one place.  We hope that you find our new website exciting and much easier to use and look forward to welcoming you at the 2009 RAF Waddington International Air Show on 4th & 5th July!