Key reflections

Learnings – World Champions at acronyms!

…….. BNIV

“BNIV”

Learnings –

Learnings – scale of event

• RIAT15 in Numbers

150,000 attendance, 43 International Chiefs of Air Staff

247 aircraft representing 28 Air Arms, plus 3 Royals

Industry leaders, politicians and other VIPs

1 debut nation: Qatar (total of 55 over the years)

• Outstanding 8 hour flying display

96 aircraft displayed under the ‘aligned’ theme with RAF

• >2.5k volunteers, >40k staff meals,

Accommodation including x3 staff campsites

RIAT15 – the complexity of the event

Management of 247 aircraft and 1,242 aircrew

Aircraft Ops, FDD, FCC, Arrivals & administration,

Accommodation, Transport, Social activities

The creative aspects of the airshow

Display and static design

• Show footprint changes every year!

Constantly evolving

• Work with the local community

E.G. We visit local farms with flying display details

• We target to recycle >70% of our waste

Point of difference ….. Hybrid military airshow

Civilian Org. operating under military rules

Flying:

• MAA RA2335

General

• Military establishment – military assets

• Armed guarding

• Jurisdiction

Specific

• Threat assessment

• Search regime - matrix based

• Public Order

• VVIP Guests

Key reflections – Safety core to operations

• MAA RA2335 (& Display Flying Handbook - currently under review)

• Op Orders General, Air, Emergency, Security, Traffic Management,

Sponsors, Exhibitors and Contractors

• Event Safety Plan (RAFCTE Health and Safety Manual)

Activity based risk assessments (Air Ops 110 pages alone!)

• Key processes within teams are documented

• Local instructions >70

• Site Regulations and T&Cs

• Training exercises:

Emergency Table Top (June)

Winged Warrior (Immediately pre-show)

Individual Team Briefings

All subject to annual audit/review

Key reflections

• I’m accountable but I don’t run the airshow

• Succession planning for key roles

• ‘Trust and Respect’ - throughout the org. and with visiting teams

• Remember … ‘we’re an airshow’

• ‘Whack a mole’

• ‘Over train and enjoy the performance’

• ‘Look out for your colleagues’

• ‘Communication is key’

• Friday isn’t a rehearsal

• Bad things can happen - be ready

Paul Crocker FDD

Paul Crocker FDD – Our Approach

• Preparation:

RA2335; Questionnaires; Briefings

Five levels of checking: Office, FDD, FCC, MAA, Final FDD check

Learning: Communication is key

• Validations:

Challenging with less airshows

• Flexibility:

eg: Weather, commercial requests,

last minute changes

Paul Crocker FDD – Our Approach Cont…

Theatre of the air:

• Balbo: Faultless!

Delegated detailed planning while maintaining oversight.

• Vulcan & Reds: Grand farewell!

• Role Demos: Hawk x 2 and Apache x 2

Adds both complexity and variety

Key Reflections

• Communication

• Succession Planning

• Current regulations

• Develop the best procedures …. and follow them (incl. Evidence)

• The Future – for debate:

3D Optical tracking (post show analysis)

FDD training