The Aviation Magazine No:46 September-October 2016 | Page 40
Other acts to mention included the French Air Force La Patrouille de France (Saturday only) with the Red
Arrows replacing them on the Sunday, the RAF Typhoon FGR4 making a very spirited and powered display
for 2016, an Army Air Corp AugustaWestland Apache AH Mk 1 and a Boeing KC‐135 Statotanker, the latter
making a single flyby with its boom extended.
The Duxford Magic did seem to have been lost slightly due to the new rules brought in by the UK CAA post
the Shoreham crash last year. Gone now are the fantastic curved top side passes and dynamic routines
that would leave a great buzz at the airfield making way for a more sedate and relaxed atmosphere to the
event. That said the organisers, Pilots and Ben Dunnell’s excellent commentary achieved a good fast paced
show on the Saturday that entertained the much reduced crowd compared to previous years. Leaving the
airfield you left knowing that for 2016 (anyway), air shows in the UK will be entering a different phase for
both the organisers and pilots. The debate on safety verses entertainment will rattle on throughout this
summer’s season and I for one hope this doesn’t have a negative impact on the Air Show scene.
Thanks must go to Esther Blaine and her team at Duxford for all their support and help on the Saturday
and gaining live side access in the morning.