If you’re in London on June 2, 2022, then you’re in for a treat. 70 aircraft, including Spitfires, Lancaster bombers and the Red Arrows, are due to take part in a special flypast commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the the British throne.  

The flypast is due to start at 1300 local time (1200 UTC), following the Trooping the Colour parade, a military display for the Queen’s birthday that will involve 1,500 officers and soldiers and 250 horses.   

The aircraft taking part in the flypast will gather over the North Sea to the east of the UK and then fly to central London. 

According to air traffic controllers at NATS, the aircraft will over fly Buckingham Palace at between 1,000 feet and 1,400 feet, before continuing west. Typhoon fighters will fly in a special formation at the rear of the parade.  

In order to ensure the flypast can proceed safely, NATS said air traffic movements at London City (LCY) and London Heathrow (LHR) will be paused for a few minutes. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is also imposing airspace restrictions to protect the 70 aircraft involved in the flypast.  

Those working in the tower at LHR will even get to see some of the aircraft from the parade fly directly overhead.  

“It should be quite the show from the tower!” NATS commented in a blog post. 

NATS controllers actually share an operations room with RAF controllers from 78 Squadron, thus making coordination of the event smoother, NATS added.  

Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch to be on the throne for 70 years in 2022. Britain is celebrating with a long Platinum Jubilee Weekend, running from June 2-5, 2022.