Royal International Air Tattoo award winners revealed
- 22nd Jul 2024
After a weekend full of aviation action, the winners of the flying trophies at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo have been announced.
This year the aviation showcase saw record demand for tickets, as an estimated 150,000 attended the show. With over 200 aircraft featuring in this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the event has unveiled this year’s highlights as part of its annual awards ceremony.
The Royal International Air Tattoo celebrates a variety of awards such as Spirit of the Meet’ Trophy, which is given to the participant embodying the spirit of the Air Tattoo, to the ‘Best Livery’ award for the most eye-catching aircraft which is voted for by FRIAT, the show’s aviation enthusiast supporters club.
Presented at the Gala Dinner:
The RUAG Trophy (Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Concours d'Elegance) - KC-390 Millennium from 506 Sqn Portuguese Air Force
The Northrop Grumman Trophy (Awarded to the Runner-up of the Concours d’Elegance Competition) - C130H from 3 Sqn Air Lift Wing - Royal Jordanian Air Force
The Boeing Trophy (Awarded to the Concours d'Elegance Best Civilian Aircraft) - Pilatus PC-7 Matthew Hartkop from Switzerland
The MOOG Trophy (Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Crew Challenge) - Team Flying Finns from 11 and 41 Fighter Sqns from Rovaniemi and Tikkakoski Air Base, Finnish Air Force
The Lockheed Martin Trophy (Awarded for the Crew Challenge Runner Up) - Team Night
Owls from 67th Special Operations Sqn, 352 Special Operations Wing RAF Mildenhall, United States Air Force
The RTX Trophy (Awarded for the Crew Challenge Aircraft Recognition Competition) - Team ‘The Flying Camels’ 45 Sqn, RAF Cranwell, Royal Air Force
The ‘Spirit of the Meet’ Trophy (Awarded to the participant embodying the spirit of the Air Tattoo) - Royal Norwegian Air Force
Presented at the Flying Display Awards Ceremony
The Paul Bowen Trophy (in memory of RIAT’s co-founder for the Best Solo Jet Demonstration)
For a punchy and aggressive display of the capabilities of legacy airframe, followed by a graceful historic flypast honouring our joint heritage, the sword is presented to Capt Caleb “Tango” Robert of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in his CF-188 Hornet.
The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy (Best Individual Flying Display)
For an aerobatic demonstration by an aircraft which you wouldn’t expect to see performing such manoeuvres, which was consistently flown over multiple sequences, the C-27J Spartan from the Italian Air Force Maj. Ettore PASINI, Maj. Francesco BUSCEMI, CMSgt. Giuseppe CIVICA.
The RAFCTE Trophy (Best Flying Demonstration by an Overseas Participant)
For an evocative display of a classic aircraft type, unique for its time and bringing noise, presence and nostalgia to its subline performance, the EAV-8B Matador II of the Spanish Navy, flown by Lt Cdr Andres Medina Gonzalez Del Tanago.
The Steedman Display Sword (British participant with the most notable contribution to RIAT)
For a beautifully synchronised, accurately flown, pairs display with frontline rotary assets, the award is presented to the Royal Navy Black Cats, flown by Lt Scott Sunderland & Lt Michael Vivian.
The As the Crow Flies Trophy (Best Overall Flying Demonstration, judged by FRIAT)
For two dynamic display routines, showing the manoeuvrability of this upgraded airframe, the trophy is presented to Boeing display crews, Jason Dotter, Matt Giese, Kevin Tinsley, Michael Quintini, flying the Boeing F-15QA Ababil of the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
The Best Livery Trophy (Best Special Paint Scheme, judged by FRIAT)
For a stunningly painted jet, to celebrate innovation and technology, air power, and one hundred years of heritage and history, the trophy is presented to the CF-188 Hornet of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The King Hussein Memorial Sword (Most Polished & Precise Flying Display)
For a formation display, using stalwart airframes, with precise formation and crisp manoeuvring, the Patrouille Suisse, led by Major Michael Duft.
Honourable Mention/Signed Print
For a crew which overcame many challenges, including two unserviceable airframes, and still delivered an impressive display of a 50 year of aircraft type. A special mention award for the crews of the Royal Danish Air Force, F-16 Solo Display.
