Wings awarded to disabled pilots

Up to 150,000 people had been expected to attend the event

A group of 23 disabled pilots has been presented with wings at a ceremony at the cancelled Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford.

Each year flying certificates for disabled pilots are awarded in memory of Sir Douglas Bader, who was president of RIAT until his death.

Some 300 disabled people have received their wings since 1983.

Trophies and wings were presented by HRH Prince Feisal of Jordan and Chief of the Air Staff Sir Glenn Torpy.

The ceremony took place at 1500 BST on Sunday.

Pyrotechnic display

The air show has been cancelled for the first time in its 38-year history after torrential rain flooded car parks and the airfield.

Hundreds of planes and up to 150,000 people were expected to attend the event in Gloucestershire.

Later at 1715 BST on Sunday there will be a pyrotechnic display including explosions and sheets of flame.

Spokesman for the Tattoo Harry Burgogne said it was safer to let the explosives off than to try to dismantle them.

The display is part of a demonstration by the RAF simulating conditions in the Middle East which had been scheduled for Saturday.

People living nearby are being warned not to be alarmed if they hear loud bangs coming from the airfield at that time.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version