RIAT 2024 was in full throttle on Saturday, with seven hours of high-energy flying displays to thrill thousands of people who flooded through the gates. The theme of this year’s show is Air and Space: Pushing the Boundaries, and this explores the limits of the technology that the aviation industry is looking to use to its advantage. The British Antarctic Survey is pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge about global warming, and one of their Twin Otter aircraft is at the show after an epic journey via Chile, Peru, Panama, Mexico, the USA, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, and Fairford.
Meanwhile, there are anniversaries with more sombre overtones. Nato is celebrating its 75th anniversary with spectacular flypasts, but it is hoped that the guardian of the western world continues in its role. And one of its prime guardians is celebrating its 50th birthday.
READ MORE: RIAT traffic and display latest as queues build on final day RIAT 2024 (Image: Michael Parker) The F16 Freedom Fighter (also known as the Viper) is 50 years old this year – and more than 2,100 of them are still patrolling the skies – while 19 provided a spectacular display in Riat’s Viper line. Even older than the F16 is the Royal Canadian Air Force, which is celebrating its centenary – and there were many aircraft on static display for visitors to the show to see. As always, RIAT had many faces to show the crowds attending – from people who just want to appreciate the thrills of the .
