RAF crew and onlookers experienced a heartwarming moment at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) when a couple got engaged in the cockpit of an RAF A400M Atlas.
The RAF shared the joyous news on social media, confirming that the bride-to-be said yes.
A picture of the happy couple and a video of the proposal were posted.
She said YES! 💍
The cockpit of the A400M Atlas in the RAF Experience providing the perfect setting for a proposal at this year’s @airtattoo!
Congratulations! 🎉#RIAT24 #RIATRAF pic.twitter.com/Lekd4cxyHL
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 21, 2024
The A400M Atlas, entering operational service with the Royal Air Force in 2014, provides essential tactical airlift and strategic oversize lift capabilities. It complements the C-17 fleet, offering the ability to carry a 37-tonne payload over 2,000 nautical miles to both established and remote airfields.
The aircraft can operate at altitudes up to 40,000 feet and handle a variety of loads, including fully-equipped troops, vehicles, and helicopters, such as the Chinook.
The design of the A400M Atlas
The Airbus A400M Atlas is designed to offer improvements in payload, range, internal volume, and operational capacity compared to its predecessors.
It can transport up to 37 metric tons (41 short tons) over 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi). The cargo bay measures 17.71 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 3.85 meters in height, allowing for various configurations such as transporting military vehicles and personnel or conducting medical evacuations and aerial refuelling missions.
The A400M features a fly-by-wire flight control system with sidestick controllers and a full glass cockpit. Its systems are adapted from those used in the Airbus A380 but modified for military applications. The aircraft’s hydraulic system includes dual 207 bar (3,000 psi) channels that power flight control actuators, landing gear, wheel brakes, cargo door, and an optional refuelling system. Additionally, two electrical systems provide redundancy to protect against battle damage.
A significant portion of the A400M’s structure, including its 42.4-meter wingspan, is constructed from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, contributing to its operational capabilities. The T-tail empennage features a vertical stabilizer that is 8.02 meters tall and a horizontal stabilizer that spans 19.03 meters with a sweep of 32.5 degrees. These design features enhance the aircraft’s aerodynamic efficiency.
Powered by four Europrop TP400-D6 engines, each rated at 8,250 kW (11,000 hp), the A400M uses counter-rotating propellers to improve lift and reduce yaw in the event of an engine failure. This configuration allows for a reduction in the size of the stabilizers, improving overall performance. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced avionics, including a forward-looking infrared-enhanced vision system and missile warning sensors.
At least it wasn’t someone who engaged to the autopilot—airplane flashbacks. Nice story. I wonder if there will be any announcement about an additional A400M at FIA. There were mentions of additional future purchases, but that was mentioned a few years ago. Although, a fleet of small cargo planes would be nice, considering we got rid of an useful asset like the Hercules.
I guess with having a new government, I guess we will have to wait until after the defence review.
Absolutely , getting rid of Hercules was madness 😞
Indeed, sadly missed, very useful if we go to war in a few years.
Not buying extra A400’s to replace them is madness. The existing A400’s and C-17’s will be overworked to make up for lack of numbers and be knackered before their replacements are ordered.
The Army and airforce are much smaller and we have less far flung commitments so why wouldn’t you think the fleet could be reduced.
Air lift is in a better place than almost any other branch of the RAF.
Even if you deploy an infantry company or battalion to a far flung place, Herc C130 may well have been useful particularly if airfield conditions are austere or perhaps non-existent.
Never see the advantage of a small cargo plane. What do you think it would do that A400M or Chinook can’t? C130 is not exactly a small aircraft.
Surely C130 needs a shorter runway and can cope with rough and austere strips.
It was heavily used by DSF. There were modified, dedicated aircraft, a SF Flight of RAF crews within 47 Sqn, and an aircraft was also allocated to the SDF.
An aircraft was also allocated to SPAG.
All tasking which must now be picked up by Atlas or C17 which means what gives, as if they’re doing this they’re not doing that.
The worst cut for me, I’m still livid at the idiocy.
Yes, I recall the Herc SF flight. If that has not been replicated by Atlas A400M we are in big trouble. Isn’t C17 a little large?!
I have not heard of any other country giving up C130s – it is a classic beancounter-driven horror story.
A “sunset capability” is the term I think Wallace used, which disappointed me.
You’d assume the SF cleared crews went across to the Atlas force but I’ve no real idea.
Disappointly for those who respected BW, he also suggested that heavy armour was a “sunset capability” and many very informed commentators seriously thought that it meant we would not replace CR2!
Back to your point. Hypothetical but I wonder if past SF operations could actually have been done with something as big and heavy as an Atlas and requiring a longer airstrip?
Morning mate.
What do I know, I’m just one of those blasted civilians interested in defence matters.
From what I read, no, the Herc is smaller and was used to land in all sorts of places.
As our “tip of the spear” I find it extraordinary, even more so when months later they’re asking Director Capability ( I think it was ) to justify the ER Chinook purchase.
😁
Mate. You’re forgetting one of the primary users of 47 Sqn. DSF. They had dedicated aircraft.
I don’t lament it’s loss for wider defence transport tasking, as Atlas and C17 are superior. I DO get pissed off at it’s loss for UKSF though, it could do things that an atlas and c17 are not ideal for.
Good luck to the couple 🙂
One flew over our garden this afternoon in bound to Farnborough.