Irish Air Corps PC-12 wins Concours d’ Elegance Award at RIAT 2022

The Irish Air Corps was well represented at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) held at RAF Fairford which took place from 15^th – 17^th July. On Friday, for the first time in 25 years the Silver Swallows, this time made up of four Pilatus PC-9M’s, performed at RIAT. That evening, Pilatus PC-12 ‘280’ operated by 104 Squadron, won the Concours d’ Elegance award for best static display aircraft at the show.

The airshow welcomed 266 aircraft, and 1,500 crew members from across the globe in a celebration of aviation, science, and engineering. Paul Atherton, Chief Executive of the RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises, the organisers of RIAT, said: “I’ve been blown away by the support we have received for the long-awaited return of RIAT. Around 200,000 people have been here this weekend – visitors, volunteers, partners, and all those involved in the build. I’d like to personally thank every single one of them for helping RIAT to return with such success.”

Readers will be able to see the Silver Swallows and the PC-12 display at next Sunday’s Bray Air Display.

About the Author

Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.