Visitors to Clacton Airshow will be able to step aboard a replica Typhoon cockpit and test their reflexes on the RAF’s Batak reaction game as part of a hands-on showcase designed to inspire future careers in aviation and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The RAF Careers Engagement team will be at the event site on West Greensward during the 33rd Clacton Airshow, staged by Tendring District Council (TDC) on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August, giving people of all ages the chance to learn more about RAF heritage, career opportunities and the next generation of aviation talent.

On the ground, visitors will be able to experience a pilot’s-eye view from the seat of one of the RAF’s most advanced and manoeuvrable fighter jets through the Typhoon cockpit, while the Batak reaction game will offer a fun, fast-paced challenge testing the reflexes used in high-pressure aviation environments.

The STEM careers theme will also be reflected in the flying programme, with organisers confirming the return of the RAF Grob Tutor T1 – the aircraft used to train the next generation of RAF pilots – which will soar over the Essex Sunshine Coast this summer.

Fully aerobatic and highly manoeuvrable, the Tutor plays a vital role in teaching the fundamentals of military flying and helps show how training, engineering and technical skills come together to support a career in the air.

Squadron Leader Rach Collier, from RAF Recruiting and Selection, said: “As part of the Clacton Airshow, visitors will have a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on with the Royal Air Force.

“They can step aboard a Typhoon cockpit and experience a pilot’s-eye view from the seat of one of the RAF’s most advanced and manoeuvrable fighter jets.

“For those keen to test their reflexes, the RAF Careers Engagement team will be running the Batak reaction game – a fun and fast-paced challenge for all ages.

“It will be a unique chance to learn more about the RAF’s heritage, career opportunities, and the next generation of aviation talent.”

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said the Tutor’s inclusion highlights the wider purpose of the airshow.

“The Grob Tutor may not be the biggest aircraft in the sky, but it represents something incredibly important – the future of aviation and the next generation of RAF pilots,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to have it back in the programme, demonstrating the skill, precision and discipline required to take those first steps in a flying career.

“This year’s theme, a ‘Celebration of Aviation’, is also a great opportunity to highlight how flying displays like the Grob Tutor can inspire people to think about careers in STEM and the many different roles that help keep the aviation industry moving.

“Clacton Airshow has always been about more than just spectacular displays – it’s about inspiring people, supporting our local economy and showcasing what’s possible.

“With the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and more still to be announced, this is shaping up to be another fantastic event on the Essex Sunshine Coast.”

The Grob 115E, known in RAF service as the Tutor T1, was built specifically for military training and has been used since the early 2000s to provide elementary flying instruction.

Operated by No. 6 Flying Training School, it supports both University Air Squadrons and Air Cadet organisations, offering young people aged 12 to 20 the chance to experience flying and develop valuable life skills.

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