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Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, 18-19 July 2009

Smiles all round regardless of 'The Weather'!

AWB's major supporter, EADS, very kindly provided VIP passes to RIAT at RAF Fairford for our chosen guests. The children invited were from The Springboard Project, Families United Network and Reach and had all at one time or other been guests at one of our Smiling Wings Days. All attending were delighted with the additional opportunity to visit such a large air show and to enjoy VIP hospitality.
The EADS chalet at RIAT was elegant and stylish, with its own viewing area, and was a very pleasant venue for the day. The guests were welcomed by Bettina Nerb and Nathalie Poetzsch of the EADS Publicity Department and were invited to enjoy the facilities. With not too many people in the hospitality area there was sufficient room in the chalet and the viewing section to move around. This proved just as well as the weather was not at its best with sunny spells punctuated by heavy showers. When the rains came down the chalet close by provided a welcome shelter.

In spite of the conditions, however, the air display was a success and was watched with enthusiasm from the excellent viewing position right next to the runway.

At lunch time, as the other special EADS guests dined at the first sitting, the group were taken to view a French Air Force rescue helicopter and a US Air Force Hercules transport plane. The viewings provided good photo opportunities and also a chance for the children to sit in a cockpit. On return to the chalet our guests sat at the second lunch sitting and enjoyed a delicious buffet meal.

The day progressed with further exciting flying displays, notably the Vulcan bomber and the Typhoon fighter, and concluded with the Red Arrows. At the end of the day Bettina and Nathalie presented the children with posters and other items. On leaving, all at EADS were thanked for their generosity and the chalet personnel were thanked for their kind attention. As the emails below testify, a wonderful day was had by all.

A belated thank you for the wonderful day that James and I had last Sunday. We both thoroughly enjoyed our time at the air show and appreciated very much your hospitality. James especially enjoyed the Red Arrows display and getting into an helicopter for the first time. Despite the occasional downpour we still had a great day and managed to take some good photos. Many thanks once again for your kind generosity."

Sincere good wishes.
Andrew (and James) Nettleton

Thank You for inviting us to the air show. We had a brilliant time. Our favourites were the Red Arrows and the Italians. On the way back home we came up with some suggestions as to what EADS might stand for :
Every Aeroplane Does Stunts,
Elephants Always Dance Secretly,
English Aeroplanes Deserve Speed,
Eagles Ankles Do Smell,
Evil Alligators Doze Sleepily.
Hope Amy enjoys them!

Thanks again,
Daniel and Rachel

We never expect anything or take anything for granted, so when you sent through the invitation for RIAT, we were truly surprised and excited about being given this opportunity.
Seeing Cain sat outside braving the elements to catch a site of the Vulcan, I thinks shows the interest that he is fast developing for all aspects of aviation. He has not stopped talking about it all week to neighbours, friends and relatives.
Although he does not show it, Cain has had a tough year adjusting to secondary school and dealing with all of the challenges that that brings with it, but in his usual manner our concerns have been overcome by his positive attitude towards things. I cannot help but feel like events such as RIAT give him a boost and help him to get on with things.
So thank you for the invitation, for the opportunity, for your company during the day and for having a positive effect on our son Cain.

Kind Regards
The Harbut's

Also if you could express our thanks to EADS and their staff for treating us so well and allowing us to share the day with them.

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