Leonardo is a partner company of the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium and is proud to sponsor the Royal Air Force Typhoon Display Team. The Royal Air Force Typhoon is a world class multi-role combat aircraft capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, from air policing and peace support, through to high intensity conflict. The RAF Typhoon Display Team provides the opportunity to showcase this amazing aircraft to the general public across the UK and Ireland.
In addition to building the aircraft, Leonardo in the UK is responsible for delivering over 60% of the on-board avionics including leading the consortia that develop both the Typhoon’s Radar and Defensive Aid Sub-System (DASS) from our Edinburgh and Luton sites respectively. Additionally, Leonardo is part of the ‘Typhoon Total Availability eNterprise’ (TyTAN), which is a 10-year support solution for the RAF Force Typhoon fleet aimed at improving aircraft availability while reducing the costs of operating the fleet based at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth by more than a third.
A Typhoon display is a culmination of months of hard work, detailed preparation and concerted effort by the team behind the display. Whilst it is the pilot who displays the aircraft, he cannot even begin to do his role without the unfaltering commitment and backing of the dedicated group of professionals that make up the Typhoon Display Team. This year’s team from 29 Squadron comprises of specialists from every aircraft trade who, along with support and management teams, work together to bring you the dazzling spectacle that is the Typhoon Display.
The airborne part of the work-up starts with practices of the sequence at a base height of 5000ft, which is the normal minimum height that all Typhoon pilots can perform aerobatics. These flights are usually flown using straight line features such as coastlines, roads or runways in the local area surrounding RAF Coningsby. The full sequence must be flown at least 6 times before the work-up (or down in effect) continues. Following successful completion of the 5000ft display practices the sequence is approved by TFC and the Display Pilot conducts a check flight with his Supervisor. He is subsequently cleared to practice below 5000ft and moves his work-up to overhead RAF Coningsby.
