This year, The Air League proudly took part in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) as part of the Techno Zone, in collaboration with Marshall, 2Excel, and Resilient Pilot. Over the course of the three-day show, our stand became a true hub of excitement, drawing large crowds and engaging thousands of young people and families with fun, hands-on aviation activities.
Designed to inspire curiosity and showcase the innovative spirit of aerospace, our stand featured three core activities:
- Electrostatic Discharge Demonstration – Using a Van de Graaff generator, participants learned how static electricity affects aircraft. After building up a charge, they discharged it using their finger as a static wick—an unforgettable way to demonstrate a crucial concept in aircraft safety.
- Rivet Art Wall – In line with this year’s RIAT theme, “Eyes in the Skies,” visitors added rivets to a metal sheet depicting a themed image, offering a tactile and satisfying introduction to aircraft maintenance skills.
- Dog Tag Stamping Station – A firm favourite year after year, the dog tag activity let attendees create their own personalised souvenir. The record for our youngest dog tag maker was set by a visitor just two years old!
We were especially honoured to receive a visit from TV maths genius Rachel Riley, who brought enthusiasm and warmth to the stand. Rachel demonstrated her skills by making her own dog tag and placing a rivet in the art wall. She also spent time chatting with children and families, making the day even more memorable for many young visitors.
Our presence at RIAT was not only a success in numbers but also in impact. The Air League team, supported by dedicated volunteers and apprentices from Marshall, 2Excel and Resilient Pilot, engaged with thousands of young people, many of whom expressed interest in pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace.
This kind of outreach lies at the heart of our mission—to inspire, engage, and support the next generation of aviation professionals. We extend our sincere thanks to Marshall, 2Excel, and Resilient Pilot for their invaluable collaboration, and to the RIAT team for hosting such an extraordinary event.
