The Royal Air Force helped to celebrate
Her Majesty, The Queen’s Birthday with
a flypast over Buckingham Palace at
1.00 pm on Saturday 11th June 2011.
The flypast was madeup of 25 aircraft -
11different types, from the World War
ll Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster,to
modern multi-role Typhoon fighters and
the Red Arrows aerobatic display team.
A Chinook and two Puma helicopters
led the formation for the first time
representing Joint Helicopter Command
and the role of helicopters on Operations.
It is the 70th year of the Air Training Corps and as part of celebrations, 70 cadets were onboard the Hercules, Chinook and HS125 aircraft.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton said: ‘International reaction to recent events has seen significant additional Royal Air Force personnel deploy and operate rapidly and highly effectively on Operation Ellamy. The capability, ethos and professionalism of all our personnel as well as success on our continuing critical roles in Afghanistan should reassure Her Majesty that the Royal Air Force is in good heart. To mark the 70th Anniversary of the Air Training Corps, cadets will be flying in the aircraft involved in today’s flypast. On behalf of all the men and women in the Royal Air Force, on operations and at home, I offer our loyal congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Official Birthday.’
The formation elements flew over Buckingham Palace at altitudes of between 1,000 feet and 1,500 feet and started at 1.00 pm precisely. The flypast took four minutes to fly over the Palace. Squadron Leader Stuart Hague, RAF Chinook Pilot and Officer Commanding A Flight, 27 Squadron based at RAF Odiham said: ‘I’m privileged to take part in Her Majesty’s The Queens Birthday Flypast, particularly when it is the first time that a Chinook has taken part. It is a very important reflection, which recognises the work that the Chinook Force is doing on Operations in Afghanistan. Flying over London is great, and you get a unique view of the Olympic Village!’
The different speeds of the aircraft involved required careful planning. With a 60 second lead the Chinook and Pumas flew at 120 knots followed by Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the Hercules formation that travelled at 150-170 Knots. The main elements were spaced a further 60 seconds behind and travelled at approximately 270 knots, followed then by the Red Arrows flying at 360 knots; both height and lateral spacing had to be carefully calculated in the planning stages to ensure safe separation throughout the flypast. Flight Lieutenant Mike Richards, Puma Pilot on 230 Squadron at RAF Benson commented:
‘The formation has been weeks in the planning and if you are on the ground, it should look great with the 25 aircraft smoothly following each other. It’s my first time taking part in an official flypast and I’m proud to have been nominated. It’s a great opportunity for the Puma Force.
The key factor when deciding aircraft involvement was ensuring that it had no effect on operations around the world. The flypast formation was made up of 7 elements:
Her Majesty, The Queen’s Birthday with
a flypast over Buckingham Palace at
1.00 pm on Saturday 11th June 2011.
The flypast was madeup of 25 aircraft -
11different types, from the World War
ll Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster,to
modern multi-role Typhoon fighters and
the Red Arrows aerobatic display team.
A Chinook and two Puma helicopters
led the formation for the first time
representing Joint Helicopter Command
and the role of helicopters on Operations.
It is the 70th year of the Air Training Corps and as part of celebrations, 70 cadets were onboard the Hercules, Chinook and HS125 aircraft.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton said: ‘International reaction to recent events has seen significant additional Royal Air Force personnel deploy and operate rapidly and highly effectively on Operation Ellamy. The capability, ethos and professionalism of all our personnel as well as success on our continuing critical roles in Afghanistan should reassure Her Majesty that the Royal Air Force is in good heart. To mark the 70th Anniversary of the Air Training Corps, cadets will be flying in the aircraft involved in today’s flypast. On behalf of all the men and women in the Royal Air Force, on operations and at home, I offer our loyal congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Official Birthday.’
The formation elements flew over Buckingham Palace at altitudes of between 1,000 feet and 1,500 feet and started at 1.00 pm precisely. The flypast took four minutes to fly over the Palace. Squadron Leader Stuart Hague, RAF Chinook Pilot and Officer Commanding A Flight, 27 Squadron based at RAF Odiham said: ‘I’m privileged to take part in Her Majesty’s The Queens Birthday Flypast, particularly when it is the first time that a Chinook has taken part. It is a very important reflection, which recognises the work that the Chinook Force is doing on Operations in Afghanistan. Flying over London is great, and you get a unique view of the Olympic Village!’
The different speeds of the aircraft involved required careful planning. With a 60 second lead the Chinook and Pumas flew at 120 knots followed by Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the Hercules formation that travelled at 150-170 Knots. The main elements were spaced a further 60 seconds behind and travelled at approximately 270 knots, followed then by the Red Arrows flying at 360 knots; both height and lateral spacing had to be carefully calculated in the planning stages to ensure safe separation throughout the flypast. Flight Lieutenant Mike Richards, Puma Pilot on 230 Squadron at RAF Benson commented:
‘The formation has been weeks in the planning and if you are on the ground, it should look great with the 25 aircraft smoothly following each other. It’s my first time taking part in an official flypast and I’m proud to have been nominated. It’s a great opportunity for the Puma Force.
The key factor when deciding aircraft involvement was ensuring that it had no effect on operations around the world. The flypast formation was made up of 7 elements:
Queen’s Birthday Flypast
1 1 June 2011
1 1 June 2011
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Registered Charity United Kingdom No 226682 Spain No G54288329
First Element: One Chinook and two Puma helicopters
provided by Joint Helicopter Command from RAF
Odiham and RAF Benson.
Second Element: RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight;
consisting of a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane
provided by RAF Coningsby.
Third Element: Two C130 aircraft provided by RAF
Lyneham escorted by two King Air provided by RAF Cranwell.
Fourth Element: Two Typhoon provided by RAF Leuchars
and two Tornado GR4 provided by RAF Marham.
Fifth Element: Two HS-125 provided by RAF Northolt
Sixth Element: Nine RAFAT Hawks provided by RAF Scampton.
provided by Joint Helicopter Command from RAF
Odiham and RAF Benson.
Second Element: RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight;
consisting of a Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane
provided by RAF Coningsby.
Third Element: Two C130 aircraft provided by RAF
Lyneham escorted by two King Air provided by RAF Cranwell.
Fourth Element: Two Typhoon provided by RAF Leuchars
and two Tornado GR4 provided by RAF Marham.
Fifth Element: Two HS-125 provided by RAF Northolt
Sixth Element: Nine RAFAT Hawks provided by RAF Scampton.
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