Navy Wings has won the prestigious British Air Display Association BADA Trophy for its exceptional support to air displays around the country in 2024.
Awarded annually, the BADA Trophy recognises an individual or organisation’s excellence and contribution to the Air Show world, particularly demonstrating the aims of the Air Display Association ‘To encourage, promote and advance Safety and Standards in British Air Displays’.
“Being awarded the BADA Trophy is fantastic recognition for Navy Wings,” said Navy Wings Flight Ops Director, Alistair McLaren. “Ex-military aircraft, even more so than other types of aircraft, require the highest standards of airworthiness, operational management and pilot competency and the BADA trophy recognises the professionalism, expertise and deeply embedded ethos of Flight Safety of everyone at Navy Wings.”
Navy Wings Director of Flight Operations, Alistair McLaren and Chief Engineer with the BADA trophy
The award citation read, ‘Navy Wings’ support to air displays around the country with its collection of aircraft has been exceptional in 2024, especially with the Fairey Swordfish, undertaking some very long cross-country transits in order to participate in as many displays as possible – and that in an aircraft with a 90kt cruise speed!’
This year Navy Wings not only participated in over 60 flying displays and events, the length and breadth of the country, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, reaching audiences of nearly 3 million, but the aircraft also stepped in to support the Royal Navy when availability of naval aircraft was severely limited due to the pressure of front line operations. The Swordfish also attracted considerable interest and support painted in D-Day markings and was a highlight at the D-Day 80 commemorations.
“Keeping the history and story of naval aviation in the public eye is a fundamental aim of the Charity and our contribution and reach and this year has been unprecedented,” said CEO Jock Alexander. “It was difficult to know how we were going to top the success of the 2023 season but we flew well over 300 hours this year and the award of the BADA Trophy at the end of it has been a tremendous accolade to a small Charity flying the flag for Britain’s great naval aviation heritage.”
