THE man who helped put the Royal' into the Royal International Air Tattoo is preparing to take off after 11 years with the airshow.

Gordon Harris, 60, from Gloucester, joined the organisation as company secretary in 1996 having served 34 years in the Royal Air Force. He retired a Wing Commander.

In 2004 he became a director of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, which organises the Air Tattoo and the following year, he also became secretary to the Charitable Trust.

During his time at the Air Tattoo's Fairford base, Gordon was involved in helping the Air Tattoo achieve Royal status in 1996. He helped design and project manage the building of new company offices at Douglas Bader House on Horcott Hill and was also involved in the reorganisation of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust in 2005.

While serving in the RAF, Gordon performed a number of roles including accountancy, recruiting and personnel and selection.

His last job in the RAF was as a member of the project management team building what was then the new Personnel and Training Command HQ at RAF Innsworth, near Gloucester.

Gordon, who is a member of Brickhampton Golf Club, said: "I am delighted that during my time with the company I have seen it go from strength to strength.

"It is also pleasing that the charitable trust, under new management, is increasingly being able to support the RAF family of charities and in particular, is actively encouraging a spirit of airmindedness' in young people."

Air Tattoo co-founder Tim Prince said: "Gordon has been a real anchor man during both the good and the more challenging times as the Air Tattoo, Enterprises and our parent Trust have developed.

"His friendship, wise counsel and good humour, coupled with his constant striving for high standards as we work to support our RAF family, will be greatly missed, by the volunteers, permanent staff, directors and trustees of the organisation."