RAF Tutor Display Team

RAF Tutor Display Team

Grob Tutor Display Team

A single Grob Tutor T1, the RAF’s elementary trainer, flown solo by an instructor to show the aircraft on which University Air Squadron students learn to fly.

Tutor T1Letadlo
1In the display
AktivníPostavení
Photo: Falcon® Photography from France / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
OperátorKrálovské letectvoZeměSpojené královstvíTypSolo displayHome baseZákladna RAF CranwellPostaveníAktivní
Příběh

RAF Tutor Display Team: how the team came to be and what it flies today

The trainer on show

The Grob Tutor T1, a German-built carbon-fibre two-seater with a 180hp Lycoming engine, replaced the Bulldog in RAF service from 1999 and equips No 6 Flying Training School, whose University Air Squadrons give students a first taste of military flying. The Tutor display shows that aircraft to the public. With modest power, the routine depends on careful energy management: the pilot typically opens with a dive to build speed and links the manoeuvres smoothly to avoid bleeding it away.

Who flies it

The display pilot is an instructor who flies the season alongside normal duties. Recent pilots have come from 115 Squadron at RAF Wittering (Flt Lt David-John Gibbs in 2022, Flt Lt Bob Dewes in 2025). For 2026 the pilot is Flight Lieutenant Rich Tomala of the East Midlands Universities Air Squadron, with a schedule of 24 UK events between May and September.

The display pilot is an instructor who flies the season alongside normal duties. Recent pilots have come from 115 Squadron at RAF Wittering (Flt Lt David-John Gibbs in 2022, Flt Lt Bob Dewes in 2025).RAF Tutor Display Team · verified 2026-10-02

Na první pohled

RAF Tutor Display Team in numbers

The team

Formation
1 letadlo

  • One display pilot
  • A display manager

Letadlo

Flown
Grob Tutor T1

  • Grob G 115E Tutor T1

Domov

Based at
Základna RAF Cranwell

  • No 6 Flying Training School headquarters
  • Pilots drawn from University Air Squadrons and 115 Squadron

The display

Aircraft in the display
1

Letadlo

Every type RAF Tutor Display Team has flown

Letadlo Roky Number Poznámka
Grob G 115E Tutor T1 1 Built 1999–2002; replaced the Bulldog T1.

Known for

What RAF Tutor Display Team is known for

  • All 15 University Air Squadrons teach elementary flying on the Tutor (Air-Shows.org.uk, 2022).
  • Display sequences are rehearsed more than 20 times before Public Display Authority is granted (Air-Shows.org.uk, 2022).
  • The 2026 schedule listed 24 UK appearances (Air-Shows.org.uk).

The pilots

Who leads RAF Tutor Display Team

  • Flight Lieutenant Rich Tomala · Display pilot, 2026 season

Časová osa

RAF Tutor Display Team, year by year

1999

Tutor begins replacing the Bulldog T1 in RAF service.

2022

Flt Lt David-John Gibbs of 115 Squadron appointed display pilot.

2025

Flt Lt Bob Dewes returns as display pilot, 20 venues planned.

2026

Flt Lt Rich Tomala named display pilot; 24 events scheduled.


Otázky a odpovědi

Everything people ask about RAF Tutor Display Team

What aircraft does the RAF Tutor Display Team fly?
The Grob G 115E Tutor T1, the RAF’s elementary trainer.
Where is the Tutor display based?
The RAF lists RAF Cranwell, home of 6 Flying Training School.
Who is the 2026 Tutor display pilot?
Flight Lieutenant Rich Tomala.
Is the Tutor display a team or a solo?
It is a single-aircraft display flown by one pilot.