Flying High! Blue Peter

Eh, Radzi, what are you doing?

-Just looking for today's episode of Blue Peter, Linz.

-Right.

-What do you mean?

-We've made so many off-the-charts films about flying...

-Yeah.

-..we've put them together for a Blue Peter special.

-Really?

That's cool. Have a look.

-BOTH:

-Hello!

-Welcome to Blue Peter, and welcome to our flight special.

-I am excited!

-You really are. So am I.

And the reason we're so happy today is because we have

squidged together all of our greatest highlights from

up there in the sky, and to do that we're at City Airport in Manchester.

They're the really, really highlights, Linz.

-Cos they're "High."

-Oh, "High" cos planes are in the...sky.

-Shall I get on with it?

-Mh-hm.

Now it's time for one of my favourite films, possibly of 2016.

Not on one plane, but on two.

-Wait. What?

-Ehhh!

-What?

Wow. Oh, goodness, Radzi. What are you...doing?

-It's challenge time, Linz, and I am ready.

-No, I can see that.

Why are you wearing that? I think we're getting changed later.

Plus, we haven't actually said what the challenge is.

You mean I didn't have to wear this on the way here?

I did think people were noticing me.

-Anyway.

-Yeah.

Well, the reason Radzi is wearing this is cos we're about to do...

this.

'That's right, we're going to try wing walking...'

SHE SHOUTS

'..which involves standing on the wings of plane

'whilst it's in midair.'

And helping us do that is the world's only

formation wing walking display team,

who perform dazzling displays

and gravity-defying stunts all over the world.

Emily, that is off the charts.

How did wing walking even begin?

So, it all began after the first world war,

when there were lots of planes knocking about.

Pilots dazzled crowds by performing incredible stunts they'd learned

during World War I, at air displays.

In 1918, one pilot, eager to show off his skills,

stepped out onto the wings of his plane,

and wing walking was born.

As you can see, no worries about health and safety back then.

I can't imagine how it feels. I mean, how fast do you go?

What does it feel like?

We can go up to about 150mph when we're diving through a loop,

or it's sort of slower when you're going through different manoeuvres,

so it's pretty awesome.

And when you're doing the loop, it's up to about 4G.

-4G?

-Yeah.

So, four times your body weight, you're going to be experiencing?

-Yeah.

-Oh, my goodness, this is going to be fun.

Three words, my friends - bring it on!

Radz, how many years have we wanted to do this?

-Too many years to count, Linz!

-Let's go.

The planes are there!

'We're going to attempt a classic manoeuvre - a loop-the-loop.

'We will each be strapped to a plane...'

-Really tighten those.

-Yeah.

'..and whilst flying in formation,

'we'll perform a perfect loop in the sky.'

This is what Blue Peter is all about.

SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH

THEY SHOUT/SCREAM

ENGINES ROAR

-Whoo!

-Oh, my goodness!

As we hit takeoff speed,

the noise is just unbelievable,

and a 150mph wind

does pretty strange things to our faces.

Mum, I'm stood on a plane!

After a few minutes to get used to the sensation,

it's time for our pilots to begin the loop.

They start by diving the planes to help us gain speed.

Then we begin to climb.

HE SHOUTS

SHE SCREAMS

OH, MY GOODNESS!

SHE SCREAMS

HE SHOUTS

SHE LAUGHS

That was the best thing I've ever done in my life!

I feel like I genuinely need to come to terms with...

Like... Wow.

I'm, genuinely... I'm lost for... I'm not usually lost for words.

I'm properly lost for words.

Oh, wow. That was the most...

Genuinely, the most terrifying thing I've ever done in my life.

The adrenaline surging through my body was ridiculous,

and going upside down...

I cannot describe it to you.

SHE SCREAMS

We finished the loop the loop.

I went, "Yes!"

I looked across at you, and you looked like you'd just seen a ghost.

THEY LAUGH

I've never... Genuinely in my...

All the Blue Peter filming, I've never been that terrified,

-excited, happy, scared...

-All the emotions.

-Everything at once.

-Yeah.

-Well, do you know, that's why it was a BP challenge.

-We've done it.

-Challenge complete.

-Challenge over! Yes!

-BARNEY:

-Er... You didn't think that was the challenge, did you?

-What?

What you're actually here for today is to take on Blue Peter's

iconic wing-walking challenge.

You must pass a one-metre baton to each other while

strapped to the wings of two planes.

Oh - and Lindsey, you're the one going upside down.

One more thing - the challenge has never been completed.

Twice, Blue Peter presenters have tried to make contact in the air,

and twice they've failed.

This is a ridiculous challenge.

I watched this challenge when we used to watch Blue Peter growing up.

-I've seen it.

-And they've always failed. So, now the pressure's on.

-Third time lucky.

-Mh-hm.

-And you know what's going to help?

-What?

-Happy dance as I walk off.

-No, don't you...

-Yehhhhh!

Off...the...cha-arts!

Unbelievable. Genuinely, one of the best days of my life, that.

Do know what, Linz?

To find out if we did indeed make Blue Peter history,

-I've just decided what we're going to do...

-Oh, yeah?

-..and play part two right now!

-Whoa, whoa, whoa, Radzi.

You're getting ahead of yourself. We need a bit of suspense.

-That is coming up later in the show.

-Ohhh!

-I'll tell you what we will do.

-Yep.

-We'll play a challenge...

-OK.

-..with the two of us...

-Yeah.

-..going head-to-head...

-Yeah!

-..in midair....

-Yeah!

..facing the incredible power of the wind.

-Play part two!

-No, still not part two, Radzi.

-Ah.

-It's time for indoor skydiving.

-Of course.

For almost 100 years,

skydiving's been popular with thrill-seekers all over the world.

But it requires nerves of steel, a plane...

Oh, and don't forget a parachute.

So, it's not necessarily the easiest sport to get into.

But there is a way you can experience the thrill

of freefall without jumping out of a plane...

..indoor skydiving.

It's a new competitive sport that's really taking off.

People of all ages can do it, and today we're going to give it a go.

So, we met instructor Paul to find out more.

How does it work?

-Basically, you've got a super-huge fan right up there...

-That is huge.

..which is going to create up to 180mph worth of wind,

-and you're going to be supported by the wind, right here.

-180mph?

Actually, to be fair, for you guys today maybe 120...

-Oh, that's nothing(!)

-Once you get better, we're going to turn it up.

-Oh. Well, bring it on.

-We're so excited. Can we get flying?

-Absolutely.

-Let's go.

This is so cool!

But of course it's easy when you've got

a top instructor holding on to you.

And that 120mph wind can create some really funny faces.

Mum, look at my chops!

The next step in our training is to learn how to let go

of the instructor and, with tiny movements of our arms and feet,

start attempting a few moves, like spins.

It's great fun.

But don't take out word for it - these young fans love it too.

When you first get in,

you feel really light and it just feels all tickly.

Skydiving is fun, because your face goes like...ooh-oh-ooh!

LAUGHTER

Wow. That is so much fun. I love this.

That is off the charts!

-But, Linz...

-Yeah?

-..I think we need to up the ante a little bit.

-Ooh, yeah. We could do a little dance-off.

-We could.

Or we could join some teams.

Roll the awesome footage!

Time for a Blue Peter challenge.

So, we'll each work with a British indoor skydiving team

to learn a series of choreographed moves.

We'll then take it in turn to display the routine

against the clock.

Lindsey's joining super skydiving squad Volition,

and I'm with top team ACM.

Now we have our teams,

we need to try and memorise the moves we'll be performing.

To do this, we'll be using creepers,

wheeled boards that allow us to practise on the ground.

-Now you're doing your solo.

-Solo spin?

-Spin.

-That's it. Keep...

-Oh, my gosh.

Are you all right? Yeah?

This is so complicated.

I know it looks like a lot of fun, and it is a lot of fun...

There's so much to think about.

I'm struggling too.

We have to perform a number of different moves,

including solo and team spins.

And what's more, we've just 35 seconds to do as many as possible.

This is a great example of meeting experts that have done what

they've done for a very long time, and us having exactly one day

in which to try and keep up.

We don't normally have people doing these types of turns

and these types of formations right on their first go,

on their first day, so the fact that he's still keeping up,

it's really good.

When she first started learning, I thought she was brilliant.

She showed natural talent right from the beginning

and she's got better and better as the day's progressed,

so I think we're going to nail it.

So it's officially game on.

Time to take our training back to the wind tunnel

and practise our moves for real.

So what Lindsey's very good at is her manoeuvres.

She is so precise and she's quick.

But I'm not going to let Linz run away with it.

I need to get in there and perfect my technique too.

I am struggling to control my spins, though.

Do you know what's good to see, is that Radzi is having

all the same problems, all the same balance issues,

the same grabbing problems as I am,

so it does make me feel a bit better but it's going to be close.

And before long the training's over.

We've got to perform the same display and complete

as many formation moves as possible in just 35 seconds.

Linz, this is it.

Chinyanganya, I'm going to fall better than you.

I'm going to forget my routine better than you, Linz.

I might go on my back by accident.

-And I'm going to...

-I mean...

-Shall we just do it?

-Yes.

Come on.

One of the instructors will be keeping score

and each successful move earns a point.

I'm up first.

I manage a perfect team spin.

Followed by a solo.

But as I try to link back up with my team, I miss a grab.

Oh, no, Radz!

We get back on track and we complete another team spin.

He's back in it now, he's doing really well.

But as I attempt another solo...

Against the wall, against the wall, Radz, Radz!

..again I manage to recover and get some points in at the end,

but it's all over so fast.

Now it's Lindsey's turn.

Can she do any better?

Just like me, she manages the team spins no problem.

She's off to an absolute flyer here.

Did you see what I did there, I said "flyer."

Linz also nails the solo spin.

This competition's hotting up.

Look at that, they are quick!

A series of quick grabs and a final spin, but then, disaster.

She loses concentration and falls.

Has that blown it in the last seconds?

Time for lead instructor Paul to reveal the scorers.

The winners with 17 points...

..Lindsey!

CHEERING

Radzi and Lindsey in air traffic control saying that was fantastic.

It was amazing, wasn't it, and especially because I won!

I don't really see it about winners because we had so much fun.

Radzi, you saw the judge raise my hand,

which means that I was the winner.

OK, when you say you were the winner,

is that because you flew over Buckingham Palace

to celebrate the Queen's Birthday, watched by millions of people?

-No, but that does sound awesome.

-Take a look at this.

(I still won.)

Trooping the colour.

The official celebration of the Queen's Birthday.

Every year, thousands gather around Buckingham Palace

to see Her Majesty's armed forces put on a spectacular parade.

And this year marks the Queen's 90th birthday,

so the celebrations are extra special.

But while the streets around the palace are filled with colour,

for the most breathtaking moment, you've got to look to the skies.

It's tradition that every year when the royal family

make their way out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace,

they are greeted by a Royal Air Force fly-past.

It is a mammoth operation and takes a huge amount of planning and skill.

And some pretty impressive aircraft.

The 2016 Queen's fly-past is made up

of 29 of the finest in the RAF's fleet,

specially assembled for the Queen's 90th birthday.

In wave seven, just in front of the world-famous Red Arrows

is the A330 Voyager.

In fact, it'll be this A330 Voyager!

And it's quite a plane.

The Voyager is the largest aircraft the RAF has ever operated.

Fully loaded, it can travel over 6,000 miles

and do anything from carry cargo, passengers

and even be a flying petrol station,

refuelling other planes in mid-air!

But why am I stood underneath this

rather than the other 20 aircraft involved in the Queen's fly-past?

That's because I'm going to be on board this one!

Yes!

That's right, the RAF have given Blue Peter the exclusive opportunity

to be on board the Voyager's flight deck

as it travels over Buckingham Palace.

And guess what, you're coming along for the ride too.

Making sure the planes stay bang on time

is the job of Flight Sgt Paul Riley,

the mission systems operator.

-Flight Sgt Paul Riley, lovely to meet you.

-Nice to meet you, Radzi.

I would love to be a part of it and possibly try and help out.

Is there anything I can do?

We're thinking about letting you do some of the timing

so what I'd like you to do is you're going to check

a couple of waypoints to make sure we are on time.

After meeting up, the planes will fly you pre-planned route

to the palace which has markers called waypoints.

By looking at when the planes fly over each waypoint,

Flight Sgt Riley can tell exactly if we are on schedule

or if we're not.

And if I am late, what will happen then?

-No options of being late, we've got to be on time.

-OK.

The big day has finally arrived

and celebrations are about to get underway,

hosted by the BBC's Huw Edwards.

We'll be enjoying all the day's events, culminating

in a spectacular birthday fly-past at one o'clock.

And at RAF Brize Norton, it's time to get ready to fly.

Probably just...leave these.

Being on the flight deck for takeoff is incredible

but there's no time for sightseeing.

Straight away the team get down to work.

I've got to keep my voice a little bit down

because there's a lot going on here.

So we're at the very first phase of the flight team

which is where we actually go around in circles

and that's to get the timing right

so that when we begin our journey, we are spot on time.

Keeping the Queen waiting is simply not an option.

The fly-past has to be over Buckingham Palace

within just a 10-second window.

And there's another reason we have to stay on schedule.

We've got friends to meet!

Right next to our plane are Typhoons.

They've just arrived.

The Typhoons are the first to get into formation.

Gradually, everyone else in the fly-past falls into place,

which we can see just up ahead.

So far, so good.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the crowds have gathered

and the royal family are coming out onto the balcony.

So the Queen and the Duke smiling and greeting the crowds,

everyone waiting patiently.

And through the haze you can see the skyline of London.

This has just got real.

We hit the outskirts of the city travelling at over 300mph,

less than 1000 feet from the ground.

There's simply no room for error.

40 seconds to go, 40 seconds to get this right.

The first planes from the fly-past arrive.

There'll be a big round of applause when people see the Spitfire

and the Hurricane.

I think I can see Buckingham Palace!

The great big Voyager, 200 feet long.

We've done it!

Flying over the palace bang on time.

And to top it off, the world-famous Red Arrows.

Happy birthday, Your Majesty.

Mum, I've flown over Buckingham Palace!

This show is full of happy dances and planes. It's amazing.

But Radz, I don't want to bring you down here,

but you haven't flown the highest in the BP family. I'm sorry.

No way. Barney hasn't done it.

-No, guess who I'm talking about?

-Who?

-Shelley.

Meet Alex and Chris,

experts at sending special weather balloons into space.

And this one is unique, because Shelley will be hitching a ride.

First they fill the balloon with a gas called helium,

the very same gas used in party balloons to make them rise.

Next, they set up a special camera rig so that we can join Shelley

for her epic journey.

And when the balloon is inflated, it's time to launch.

Three, two, one,

go into space, Shelley!

As soon as Shelley takes to the skies,

Newsround's Leah and the team track her using GPS technology.

How fast will Shelley be moving?

At the moment, maybe up to 80-100 mph.

But as well as going up, she's also drifting East.

We are currently over here.

She's travelled all the way over to there.

-How many miles would that be?

-20-30 miles, maybe?

That's incredible.

The only thing is, if she drifts too far,

she could end up landing in the sea.

After one hour in the air, Shelley is now the same height

as a jet plane flies and she just keeps on going.

So she's currently at a height of 18.5km.

And finally, she is so high up

she's no longer in the Earth's atmosphere.

-So, guys, this is incredible.

-Shelley is officially in space.

She's made it, this is absolutely brilliant.

Shelley eventually reaches over 28,000 metres high.

Only Tim Peake and the five other astronauts

aboard the International Space Station are above her.

But as Shelley climbs higher,

the change in pressure causes her weather balloon to burst.

And she begins her journey back to Earth

reaching over 200mph.

The race is really on for Leah and the team

to get to Shelley's landing site in time.

Oh, look!

There's just the small matter of surviving the landing.

There we go! Shelley's in one piece.

So that's how our Shelley went to space and back

in just one day.

And let's not forget, it's all thanks to you.

Well done, Shelley! She did a good job there, didn't she? She loved it.

Shelley has actually been to space.

-Awesome!

-Space!

Right, Linz, the suspense is killing me.

Don't worry, Radz. We didn't actually send real Shelley to space,

that was just a little cut-out and a little photo...

I know! I mean about the fact

that they might actually make Blue Peter history.

We might actually pass the baton with you upside-down on a plane,

with me on a plane whilst wing walking.

-Go on, then, do the link.

-Play part two!

We are about to take on the classic Blue Peter wing walking challenge.

It's been attempted twice before and both times it's failed.

-It was so close.

-I'm so annoyed!

Can we succeed?

If we can, it'll be with the help of our pilots,

Martin and Dave.

So, guys, how exactly are we going to do this? How does it work?

Basically, what we're going to do is fly two vintage biplanes

called Boeing Stearmans in formation,

but we're going to do it in a slightly complicated way

in that we're going to fly one above the other in perfect alignment

and then as we're there, you're going to be standing

on the wing and passing that baton across to Radzi.

OK.

But the limiting factor here is it's all going to happen in 10 seconds.

-Just 10 seconds?

-Just 10 seconds.

It's like doing a relay race.

-Exactly.

-I need to wait till I can feel Radzi's grab.

-Yes.

And be flying through the air and be upside down on the wing of a plane.

At 120mph.

I will not be calm, by the way.

Now I understand why Blue Peter presenters haven't done this before.

Now I get it.

I'll be honest, I've done a lot of Blue Peter challenges

but there's a difference with this one,

because this one isn't on my own.

I've got to do this and work as a team with Radzi

and I really, really, really don't want to let him down.

We are representing Team Blue Peter

and hopefully we can do it for this, the Blue Peter badge.

We only have around three attempts to get this right

because there's a limit to the number of times

that I can hold the baton up in 120mph winds.

So the pressure's on.

-Blue Peter history.

-Let's do it!

Let's do it! All right!

Once in the air, Martin and Dave begin to manoeuvre us

into position for our first attempt.

They need to be so exact in their flying.

Up here, every centimetre counts.

And let's not forget, I'm upside down.

We swoop into position trying to match the speed of Lindsey's plane.

I've got just 10 seconds to try and grab the baton.

But we're just not close enough.

Now it's clear just how difficult this challenge is

and I'm starting to wonder if it's actually possible.

We line up for a second try.

We are definitely closer.

Are we going to do it? Come on!

No!

Just don't know if we're ever going to get this right.

I'm starting to struggle.

My arms are in agony, but I'm not quitting yet.

This is our last chance. It's now or never.

We start our third run.

I wait until the last second

and then hold the baton as high as I possibly can.

Every inch of me is willing us to get closer, just come on!

And then...

CHEERING

..we've done it!

SHE SCREAMS

We did it!

Hands down the best day of my life.

Can we just say, that was down to these absolute legendary pilots,

Dave and Martin.

What skill, what control, Blue Peter history.

I am so pleased that we finally managed

to lay this Blue Peter challenge to rest.

We hope it's inspired you to earn your Blue Peter badges this year.

-Blue Peter history!

-Amazing. We did it.

Genuinely one of the best experiences of my life.

Now we've done this flight special, I'm sad it's all over.

Don't worry. This is Blue Peter, we do action-packed challenges

all year round, but sadly for today

that is about all we've got time for.

Make sure you're watching Blue Peter every single Thursday at 5pm.

Linz...? Linz?

Radz, I'm over here! I'm going to just take it for a little spin.

Wait, where are the keys?