Radzi and the RAF Blue Peter Bite

This is Blue Peter, but mini.

Expect epic adventures, makes, bakes, badges, pets,

presenters and your post.

We've only got five minutes, so get ready for your Blue Peter adventure.

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.

CANNON FIRES

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 breath-taking 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.

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 28 aircraft involved in the Queens fly-past?

Well, 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?

Well, we're thinking about letting you do some of the timings.

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 all fly a preplanned route to the palace,

which has markers called "waypoints."

By looking when the planes fly over each waypoint, Flight Sgt Riley

can tell exactly if we're 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 Hugh Edwards.

We'll be enjoying all the day's events.

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

Probably just...just leave these.

Being on the flight deck for take-off 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,

which is where we actually go round 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 ten-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 on 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 1,000 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.

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