2026 RAF Cosford Air Show Preparations
We gathered today for what was scheduled to be the last opportunity for Brad to practice overhead RAF Shawbury his glider display sequence for the 2026 RAF Cosford Air Show. However, things were not to be as the poor weather conditions prevented any flying; frustrating for our other young aviators whom we had planned to fly after Brad had completed his early morning aeroes.
With no flying we took two of our new MEF gliding bursary students, Zack and Lewis, off for some sim flying with Will.
The rest then boxed the DuoDiscus (R2) to be taken to the Air Show where it will join the other display aircraft in the RAF Sport Flying Village.
Brad then took the lead to fettle up the ASK21 (R22).
Brad will get a further opportunity to practice his glider display sequence for the air show Flying Display Director (FDD) at RAF Cosford on the Saturday prior to the air show, and for which the launching airfield has yet to be confirmed.
Brad’s display at the air show on Sunday 14 June is subject to the weather criteria being within the limits of his Display Authorisation (DA). If the weather is outside the limits, then Ian will fly in Brad’s place.
With the launching airfield to be confirmed, Ian will be piloting WG to a release point at 2,500ft AGL.
Brad’s display sequence is set out as an ARESTI, named after Colonel Jose Luis de Aresti Aguirre who published his Sistema Aresti in 1961, and which the FAI adopted in 1962. This system of diagrammatic aerobatic figures was devised to allow pilots competing internationally a way to communicate, even if they didn’t speak the same language. These simple diagrams were accepted as the system of describing aerobatic figures.
Laura flying with her ARESTI taped to the instrument panel during the 2024 Saltby Aerobatics, a display routine that saw her win the Club Class.
Brad’s DA allows him to undertake his display routine down to 500ft……
…… with a final pass at 200ft……
……to land at RAF Cosford in front of the VIP tent and hand over the K21 to Laura.
Brad will then make his way to the VIP tent to be met by RAFGSA Chair Gp Capt Carl Peters, Air Cdre Richard Fogden, Director RAF Sport and Capita’s Steve Lane and Hume Jones. Laura will be giving them a personal commentary during Brad’s routine. The tug and K21 with Ian and Laura will later depart RAF Cosford whilst Brad enjoys a lunch of Lobster Thermidor and Chips, washed down with a bostin’ bottle of Banks’.
At the end of today’s preparations Brad said:
It's quite surreal. At last year's air show I was on car park duties and leaning on the fence watching the displays. I never thought for one moment that the following year I would be one of those display pilots. It's all down to the opportunities I have had in Phase Two training at RAF Cosford and the out of work opportunities that the RAF have given me. The gliding has been phenomenal, the team at RSGC is outstanding regardless of rank, and it's a fantastic community to be involved with.
Since he decided to take up aerobatics in January 2026 Brad has come a long way on his personal gliding journey. The club wish Brad all the best for the 2026 RAF Cosford Air Show and we will all be watching with pride.
We have to thank RAF Shawbury, RAF Cosford, the RAF Central Fund and Capita for making this a great day not just for Brad but also as inspiration to his fellow trainees and aspiring aviators who will be watching.
