Originally Posted by
LOONRAT
Re competition - some air displays (IAT as an example) offer a prize for the best display - subtle external pressure here at play !!!!
There is a story that circulated at Waddington many years ago that concerned Vulcan 558 from when she used to display while still belonging to the RAF. The Vulcan crew had been authorised for a flypast at a small airshow en-route home after performing at another show. Arriving at the second show, they completed their flyby and were asked if they could perform a second flyby because there had been several cancellations and there was quite a large gap in the flying program. Ever obliging, the crew carried out their full display. Next working day, the display pilot was called in to see the Station Commander, who asked him how the flyby had gone. "Very Well" replied the pilot. The Staish then commented that it must have been a very good flyby and presented the pilot with the trophy for best display which had been sent up from the second airfield. No further comment was needed.