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Planes of the Estonian Air Force took part for the first time in the annual air show The Royal International Air Tattoo 2013 that took place in the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
Estonian Air Force planes take part in prestigious UK air show
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Estonian planes L-39 and An-21 took part in the event that was held at the Fairford base of the Royal Air Force. Air safety senior inspector of the Air Force Lt. Col. Arvo Palumae performed aerobatic maneuvers with the L-39 training jet.
According to Palumae spectators showed great and sincere interest in the Estonian aircraft. "The organizers especially highlighted the diverse use made of our flying machines in Air Force training," he observed adding that the pilots used the long flight from Estonia to Britain and back to practice international instrument flight.
The other pilot who flew the L-39 to the UK, Capt. Kalev Piirisild, said it was a historic event for the Estonian pilots as Estonian Air Force pilots hadn't flown from Estonia to Britain before.
The first air tattoo was staged in the UK in 1971. Since 1985 the event is held at the Fairford airbase. This year a total of 268 aircraft and 10 balloons from 25 countries took part in the air show, as well as about 1,500 pilots.
Estonian Air Force commander Col. Jaak Tarien was an official guest at the event.