Land Rover Discovery Sports working at RIAT2018

A key part of the successful operation of any RIAT is the safe movement of arriving and departing aircraft. 

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is staged every year at RAF Fairford around the beginning of July. Aircraft and personnel from many air forces around the world come together for one of the biggest air shows in the world and this requires a massive co ordination of assets to ensure its smooth and safe running. At the heart of this is the safe and accurate movement of arriving and departing aircraft once on the ground. Many airports and military bases use “follow me” cars and at RIAT the vehicle of choice over the last few years has been the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
The Discovery’s are controlled by air traffic control (ATC) who direct them around the base to where an ariving aircraft is waiting for them, the aircraft then follows the vehicle to their designated parking area either in the static display area or the live ramp where they will remain until ready for their flying display slot. The Discovery is ideal for this role as it is fast, agile and able to carry a decent amount of kit including the necessary radio equipment.

2X Dassault Rafale M are met at the end of the runway by the escort vehicle.

PolishAir Force C-130E
exits the runway to follow its escort vehicle.

Royal Jordanian Airforce C-130H exits the runway
 and is met by the "follow me" Landrover.

Royal Jordanian Airforce C-130H.

The 2 ship Couteau Delta Mirage 2000D
form up behind the Landrover Discovery.

Brazilian Airforce Embraer KC-390.

Pakistan Air Force
C-130E

Solo Turk F-16C leads the Turkish Airforce KC-135
with the follow me Discovery in attendance.

Solo Turk F-16C.

German Luftwaffe PANAVIA Tornado.