As millions of TV viewers prepare for two weeks of sitting, snacking, and watching the world’s best athletes compete in the 2012 Olympic Summer Games, we found ourselves asking, naturally:
How will airplanes be involved?
You won’t see them on the playing field, not unless plane-pulling has been made an Olympic sport. (It hasn’t, though it may some day). Still, aircraft will be all over London and southeast England—delivering athletes and visitors, photographing and filming from above, and patrolling the skies to make sure the action stays on the field.
Keep checking this page through July and August for additional articles as we watch the London games—with one eye on the sky. Or read about British aviation, past and present, in our "From the Archive" section below.
Photo: A Sea King helicopter arrives in London carrying the Olympic Torch on July 20 (Jan Kruger/Getty Images).
Olympic Air
From the Eurofighter Typhoon to the Goodyear Blimp, see what's flying at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Choreographing Olympic Airspace
Flying into London for the Olympics? Get in line.
Good Luck, From Space
Astronauts and satellites get to watch the Games from Olympian heights.
London’s Armed Rooftops
As the world's athletes put on their game face, the British Army prepares for aerial attack.
Busy British Airports Rely on Virtual Assistants
Holographic help: Holly and Graham are available to assist confused travelers.
What’s Under the Thames?
Almost 100 aircraft were lost in the river during World War II alone, and it's not certain how many are still to be recovered.
Stories About British Aviation From the Archives
475,000 Takeoffs and Landings a Year
The Summer Games will bring 4,000 additional aircraft to London's airports. Find out what it takes to keep Heathrow running smoothly on a normal day.
Europe’s Typhoon Fighter
For the first time since World War II, fighters are stationed at RAF Northolt.
Department of Flying Saucers
Nick Pope, formerly with the UK's Ministry of Defence, warns that space aliens will be drawn to the Olympic's Closing Ceremonies. Read more about the UK's UFO program—which ran from 1959 to 2009—here.
Under the Eurofighter’s Hood
Europe’s frontline fighter is a marvel of technology.
Hurricane Walkaround
Aviation historian Ron Dick takes a closer look at an old warbird.
The Women’s RAF
In World War II Britain, a new group of pilots answered the call to serve.
God Save the Vulcan!
The Royal Air Force Vulcan, immense cold war bomber and aerodynamic marvel, has been sentenced to permanent museum exhibition.
A&S Interview: Captain Eric Brown
Holder of the Guinness World Record for most types of aircraft flown.
