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British Antarctic Survey at The Royal International Air Tattoo

Join the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) as we soar into this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and get an up-close encounter with one of our Twin Otter aircraft, essential for our pioneering scientific endeavours in Antarctica and beyond!

More than just an air show, this three-day extravaganza at Fairford in the picturesque Cotswolds promises to be a sensory delight. A lively and family-friendly affair, you’ll be treated to the thunderous spectacle of aircraft overhead and the jubilant cheers of spectators, with an impressive 18 hours of breath-taking flying displays and a myriad of aircraft from 25 nations on display.

Come and marvel at our distinctive Twin Otter aircraft, equipped and primed for Antarctic missions. Chat to our pilots and scientists involved in airborne scientific projects and seize the opportunity to learn about the challenges of conducting research in some of the harshest environments on the planet.

A Twin Otter aircraft with skis on ice
The Twin Otter fitted with skis for landing on ice in Antarctica. Photo: Adam Bradley

BAS operates four Twin Otters, which form the backbone of our operations. In a typical season, they log approximately 1300 hours of flight time in Antarctica, supporting fifteen scientific field projects. They transport scientists to their field sites, resupply them, or relocate them during the season, and then safely return the team to Antarctic research stations upon completion of their projects.

A field camp in Antarctica with twin otter aircraft overhead
The BAS Twin Otter aircraft are crucial for operating deep field scientific research in Antarctica. Photo: Morag Hunter

The Royal International Air Tattoo takes place from 19-21 July 2024 at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire

To book your tickets, visit the RIAT website