0:00:05 > 0:00:08This is Blue Peter, but mini.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13Expect epic adventures, makes, bakes, badges, pets,
0:00:13 > 0:00:15presenters and your post.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Trooping The Colour - the official celebration of the Queen's Birthday.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Every year, thousands gather around Buckingham Palace to see
0:00:28 > 0:00:32her Majesty's Armed Forces put on a spectacular parade.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35CANNON FIRES
0:00:39 > 0:00:42And this year marks the Queen's 90th birthday,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44so the celebrations are extra special.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52But while the streets around the palace are filled with colour,
0:00:52 > 0:00:57for the most breath-taking moment, you've got to look to the skies.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00It's tradition that every year, when the Royal family make their
0:01:00 > 0:01:03way out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace, they are
0:01:03 > 0:01:06greeted by a Royal Air Force fly-past.
0:01:09 > 0:01:15It is a mammoth operation and takes a huge amount of planning and skill,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18and some pretty impressive aircraft.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22The 2016 Queen's fly-past is made up
0:01:22 > 0:01:25of 29 of the finest in the RAF's fleet,
0:01:25 > 0:01:29specially assembled for the Queen's 90th birthday.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34In wave seven, just in front of the world-famous Red Arrows,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37is the A330 Voyager.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42And it's quite a plane.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47The Voyager is the largest aircraft the RAF has ever operated.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Fully loaded, it can travel over 6,000 miles and do anything
0:01:51 > 0:01:56from carry cargo, passengers and even be a flying petrol station
0:01:56 > 0:01:59refuelling other planes in mid-air!
0:02:03 > 0:02:05But, why am I stood underneath this rather than the
0:02:05 > 0:02:09other 28 aircraft involved in the Queens fly-past?
0:02:09 > 0:02:14Well, that's because I'm going to be on-board this one! Yes!
0:02:14 > 0:02:18That's right, the RAF have given Blue Peter the exclusive
0:02:18 > 0:02:21opportunity to be on-board the Voyager's flight deck as it
0:02:21 > 0:02:24travels over Buckingham Palace. And guess what?
0:02:24 > 0:02:26You're coming along for the ride, too.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Making sure the planes stay bang on time is the job of
0:02:31 > 0:02:34flight Sgt Paul Riley, the Mission Systems Operator.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Flight Sgt Paul Riley, lovely to meet you.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Nice to meet you, Radzi.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40I would love to be a part of it and possibly try and help out.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41Is there anything I can do?
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Well, we're thinking about letting you do some of the timings.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47So, what I'd like you to do is you're going to check a couple of
0:02:47 > 0:02:49waypoints to make sure we are on time.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53After meeting up, the planes all fly a preplanned route to the palace,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55which has markers called "waypoints."
0:02:55 > 0:02:59By looking when the planes fly over each waypoint, Flight Sgt Riley
0:02:59 > 0:03:03can tell exactly if we're on schedule or if we're not.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- And if I am late, what will happen then?- No options of being late.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- We've got to be on time.- OK.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14The big day has finally arrived and celebrations
0:03:14 > 0:03:16are about to get underway.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Hosted by the BBC's Hugh Edwards.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20We'll be enjoying all the day's events.
0:03:20 > 0:03:25And at RAF Brize Norton, it's time to get ready to fly.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Probably just...just leave these.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Being on the flight deck for take-off is incredible,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50but there's no time for sightseeing.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Straight away, the team get down to work.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I've got to keep my voice a little bit down because there's
0:03:56 > 0:03:59a lot going on here. So, we're at the very first phase of the flight,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02which is where we actually go round in circles,
0:04:02 > 0:04:07and that's to get the timing right so that when we begin our journey we are spot on time.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Keeping the Queen waiting is simply not an option.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15The fly-past has to be over Buckingham Palace
0:04:15 > 0:04:17within just a ten-second window.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21And there's another reason we have to stay on schedule -
0:04:21 > 0:04:25we've got friends to meet. Right next to our plane are Typhoons.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28They've just arrived.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The Typhoons are the first to get into formation.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Gradually, everyone else on the fly-past
0:04:35 > 0:04:38falls into place, which we can see just up ahead.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44So far, so good.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Meanwhile, on the ground, the crowds have gathered and the royal family
0:04:49 > 0:04:51are coming out onto the balcony.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54So, the Queen and the Duke smiling and greeting the crowds,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56everyone waiting patiently.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01And through the haze you can see the skyline of London.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03This has just got real.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06We hit the outskirts of the city travelling at over 300mph,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09less than 1,000 feet from the ground.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12There's simply no room for error.
0:05:13 > 0:05:1740 seconds to go, 40 seconds to get this right.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22The first planes from the fly-past arrive.
0:05:22 > 0:05:23There'll be a big round of applause
0:05:23 > 0:05:26when people see the Spitfire and the Hurricane.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I think I can see Buckingham Palace!
0:05:31 > 0:05:35The great big Voyager - 200 feet long.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37We've done it!
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Flying over the Palace bang on time.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50And to top it off, the world-famous Red Arrows.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Happy birthday, Your Majesty.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Join in every Thursday on CBBC.