Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian won the prestigious “As the Crow Flies Trophy” award at the Royal global Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the UK. – The audience awarded the award for my solo performance, but this is the consequence of the work of the full team, without which I would not be able to present my skills and capabilities of the aircraft," stressed the commander of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team.
RIAT is the world's largest military aviation show, held annually in July at RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, England. all year, the event attracts between 150,000 and 200,000 spectators. Participants who buy a peculiar FRIAT (Friends of Royal global Air Tattoo) package can, among others, vote for the best show in the framework of the "As the Crow Flies Trophy". This year's trophy went to Major. Maciej Krakowian from F-16 Tiger Demo Team au 6 Flight Squadronswho is stationed in 31 Tactical Aviation Base At Poznań.
"Slab" behind the F‐16C Fighting Falcon Block 52+ rudders performed 4 flights on RIAT 2025: 3 show and 1 training. Each of them was a different modification of the show adapted to weather conditions. It was English weather. The bases of the clouds were comparatively low, so we made a somewhat different modification of the flat and low show each day – says the officer and explains that the low show is performed on a cloud base of 3,500–4000 feet (about 1000–1200 m) and flat 1 at 1,000 feet (about 300 m).
– The weather conditions were demanding, in addition to dense cloudiness there was rainfall, but it besides had its good side. due to the advanced humidity of the air, beautiful condensing streaks were created, which adds character to the full show and pleases the audience – says an experienced airman from over 1400 hours of raid, including about 1200 on F-16.
The pilot considers the award of the "As the Crow Flies Trophy" to be a large honor and honor that the full F-16 Tiger Demo squad has earned. – The award is very valuable due to the fact that it is awarded to the audience. I am not hiding that specified affirmative reception gives a kick to action and encourages continuous improvement – says Major Krakowian and stresses that during the years shows F-16 Tiger Demo Teams were changing. “We left, as I say, from flying “left to right” in the American kind and adopted the 3D concept, more European. The raids on the audience and from the audience are tighter, sometimes more aggressive. The plane is inactive a lot closer to the audience due to the fact that I managed to reduce the radius to about 1.5 miles from the mediate of the audience. We know people like it. After the RIAT shows, we collect all affirmative comments and compliments – says the pilot.
After Royal global Air Tattoo the Polish squad is already at the half-time of this year's shows. Before “Slab” and its crew 5 more specified events in the country and abroad. The next F-16 Tiger Demo squad shows will be held as part of the gathering Aérien global de la Somme in France, and the next during Air Show in Radom. The stunts of the Polish pilot behind the controls of F-16 will besides be able to admire viewers in Greece, Belgium and Portugal.
