InsideAIR

When you trust your people and give them backing and investment, the results can be startling. That's how a small team of aviators from 90 Signals Unit hatched Raven. It's hardware, it's software and it's methodology. InsideAIR asked 90SU to explain. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The Central Flying School (CFS) has been around for almost as long as powered aviation itself. InsideAIR caught up with the Commandant, Group Captain Mike, to find out how they deliver aircrew instruction today and to hear his vision for the future. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

What are the challenges when fulfilling a NATO operation close to Ukraine while Russia's invasion continues? InsideAIR takes us to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near Constanta where Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft are providing enhanced Air Policing and enhanced Air Vigilance along Romania's eastern border.     Our correspondent AS(1) Kirwan reports from Op BILOXI. InsideAIR is produced for the Ro...

For more than half its existence, the RAF has organised its officers into Branches and enlisted personnel into Trades. However, it has now been decided a new approach is needed for the Next Generation RAF. In this episode, we speak with the team leader responsible for coming up with the replacement - Professions. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by R...

Inspired by the resilience of desperately ill children, four RAF pilots swapped their normal cockpits for one in a transatlantic rowing boat. Three thousand miles of sea later, our correspondent Flight Lieutenant Chris Sully found out how they fared during their epic voyage. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The Platinum Jubilee Pageant was just one of the many events in which RAF aviators took part to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Our correspondent Wing Commander Howard Leader met up with a few of the parading aviators as they rehearsed for this once in a lifetime event. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

For more than a century, the RAF hasn't had its own hymn. With music being such a core aspect of life in the military, it's quite fitting that during the year of Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this has finally changed. Our correspondent Flt Lt Mark McKinstry spoke with the people who made this happen. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF...

Air shows are back! Later in this episode we'll hear an RAF photographer's top ten tips for capturing the perfect air show photograph. But first, we visit RAF Cosford as they prepare to put on the RAF's last remaining air show. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

In the concluding part of this two part special edition of InsideAIR, we re-join Sqn Ldr Sarah as she investigates the work of Tactical Medical Wing. Hear about TMW capabilities, including mental health and critical care aeromedical evacuation, future developments and the role of RAF Medical Reserves. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Ser...

When the UK deploys its Armed Forces around the globe, the RAF's Tactical Medical Wing is standing by to respond to medical emergencies and bring injured or ill sailors, soldiers and aviators safely home. In part one of this two-part special edition of InsideAIR, we hear from the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and the Deployed Aeromedical Response Team Squadron (DARTS).   InsideAIR is prod...

Before the RAF sends its Expeditionary Air Wings on ops, it makes sure they are prepared to deal with both the expected and the unexpected. We sent our correspondent SAC Emma Kirwan to the Operational Training Centre at RAF Leeming to find out how this is achieved. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

Exercise RED FLAG maximises the combat readiness, capability and survivability of participating units. It's held at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, USA and is now a regular event for the Royal Air Force. In this episode, you'll hear from Flight Lieutenant 'Buzz', an RAF Typhoon pilot on his first Red Flag. He talks to one of the experienced United States Air Force 'aggressor' pilots he'll be up a...

Mandy Hickson is a former Royal Air Force fast jet pilot and lived through part of the RAF's journey to becoming more inclusive. In this episode, Mandy speaks to InsideAIR about her experiences as a Tornado pilot on a frontline Squadron. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

If you'd like to see what day to day tech the RAF will be using in the future, a visit to the Innovation Hub at RAF Leeming should give you some clues. We sent our correspondent Flt Lt Chris Sully to meet the RAFX (eXperimental) team and find out about Spot, a four-legged agile mobile robot. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

The RAF plans to achieve net zero by 2040, but for a military service that flies jets, that presents an incredible challenge. From synthetic aviation fuel to biogas, the RAF is working towards a carbon-neutral future, both in the air and on the ground. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.

They have four wheels, they're green and have artificial intelligence – but no driver. In a great example of how the Astra programme is shaping the Royal Air Force of tomorrow, RAF Brize Norton has been trialling the use of self-driving autonomous vehicles or 'robot cars'. Find out how they coped with delivering spares and supplies across the RAF's largest station. InsideAIR is produced for the Ro...

InsideAIR launched in January 2021 and to mark our first anniversary, we thought we'd replay some memorable moments from the top ten episodes so far (based on number of downloads on release day). Which was your favourite episode and did it make the top ten? InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.  

Meet Senior Aircraftman Alan Thomas in this week's InsideAIR. Just over a year ago, experienced musician Alan decided to trade his comfortable seat in an orchestra for a place on parade in all weathers with RAF Music Services. We follow Alan as he prepares to perform at one of the Nation's most important events of the year. Find out how Alan copes with the pressure, what RAF musicians do when they...

After 7 months at sea, the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has returned. HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into Portsmouth Harbour a day after its F-35 jets arrived home at RAF Marham. A decade in the making, CSG 21 combines the capabilities of the RAF and Royal Navy to support global operations. Find out how the two services have worked together to deliver the Lightning Force and hear RAF personnel share the...

Magic Carpet is an annual exercise that allows personnel from the RAF and Royal Air Force of Oman to work, train and socialise together. This year they were also joined by the Qatar Emiri Air Force. We asked our correspondent Flight Lieutenant Ronan Carey to find out what went on both in the air and on the ground. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by...

Per Ardua Ad Astra - 'through adversity to the stars'. It's the RAF's motto, but how does this apply its people, both uniformed and MOD Civil Service? Is social mobility possible in today's RAF and can anyone 'reach the stars'? Plus, we look into the Chief of the Air Staff's Fellowship that can fund aviators of any rank through a masters degree or even a doctorate. InsideAIR is produced for the Ro...

Unmistakable because of its giant rotating dish, the airliner sized E-3D Sentry, also known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), recently flew its final operational mission before retirement later this year. Join us on board to find out what made Sentry so special. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.    

Operations at the UK's new Space Command, what future RAF stations will look like, VR to improve fire-fighting training and new tech at the RAF Officer Training Academy. These are just some of the subjects put under the spotlight at the Astra Technology Exposure Day. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.  

Using mobile apps is part of everyday life for most people, but technology experts believe we've only scratched the surface of app capability. The Astra Appivate team focus on the professional, rapid and agile delivery of mobile applications for the Royal Air Force. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.      

Ceremonial swords are a common sight on parade squares but how would you fair in a fight using a foil, epee or sabre? We asked two Senior Aircraftmen from the RAF Fencing Association what this niche sport means to them and how it transcends social boundaries. InsideAIR is produced for the Royal Air Force by RAF Media Reserves. Theme music by RAF Music Services.