Les Ferdinand & Claire Teal launch RIAT 2006 

Former England football star Les Ferdinand was among the special guests at the launch of this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo [RIAT] at RAF Fairford near Swindon this week. 

One of football’s only qualified pilots, Sir Les – as he is affectionately known – arrived in an Army Gazelle helicopter courtesy of the Blue Eagles Helicopter Display Team. Once on the ground he proved he was still good in the air with a display of his soccer skills.

 

Head for heights: Les Ferdinand and Clare Teal at the launch of RIAT 2006 Calyx multimedia

 
Joining him at the launch was jazz singer Clare Teal, who arrived on board an RAF C-17 from RAF Brize Norton.

 
Clare will be performing two concerts at the Air Tattoo this summer, backed by the BBC Big Band.

This year the Air Tattoo - the biggest air show in the world - takes place over the weekend of 15th & 16th July.

 
Cleared for take-off include a whole host of military and civilian aircraft from around the globe, plus, of course, dazzling aerobatic manoeuvers from the Red Arrows and other dare-devil display teams.

 

  Royal International Air Tattoo - website