Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 General Discussion Thread

[Ollie]

They say it is hoped to be seen during arrivals and departures so going by that it’s the current plan. But of course unfortunately plans change so it is a matter of wait and see I imagine.

[GVLCN]

Considering it’s listed on the confirmed aircraft list on RIAT’s own page, if it didn’t make an appearance now it would be very disappointing them announcing something that was never due? Certainly one of the stars for me will be this if I manage to see it during arrivals or departures.

[Amp]

Is the Pakistan AF IL78 due to land at Fairford or will the JF17's separate from it elsewhere. It would be great to see a landing and departure of it on on the Monday.

It would seem to me from the 5 posts above yours that there's somewhere between Bob Hope & no hope of either on any given day?
Logistics & rumours suggest the IL-78 will separate from the fighters over France & land there (Istres ?) ready to rendezvous with them on Monday homeward bound.
Sounds to me like a cunning plan to circumvent French ATC 'traditional' reluctance to allow transit flights & cause delays to Flight Plans?

This would seem a fair bet, but as always, time will tell. Show is looking great.

[jasonT1981]

Lancaster returned to base today after declaring 7700 and a smoking engine.

Not sounding too good for next weekend

[DutchAvPhotography]

Still showing as support on the web page. Do you have a source for this latest revelation please?

It did say it was a going in the static, but not anymore. Now looks like it will not stay at Fairford but go to France.

https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... -78-midas/

And where exactly is the information from that it'll go into France? I don't see Riat AirOPS confirming it on their page if there's no visit expected to Fairford at all

And I quote ''The Pakistan Air Force will be sending one of their Il-78MP ‘Midas’ Aerial Refuelling tankers to RAF Fairford in support of their JF-17 Thunders who will be appearing on static.''

[NorvilleRogers]

It did say it was a going in the static, but not anymore. Now looks like it will not stay at Fairford but go to France.

https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... -78-midas/

And where exactly is the information from that it'll go into France? I don't see Riat AirOPS confirming it on their page if there's no visit expected to Fairford at all

And I quote ''The Pakistan Air Force will be sending one of their Il-78MP ‘Midas’ Aerial Refuelling tankers to RAF Fairford in support of their JF-17 Thunders who will be appearing on static.''

So just the JF-17s in the static in the above quote.

The web site states.. https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... t-updates/

There will be a pair of JF-17s, both from 8 Squadron, parked alongside a C-130E Hercules from 6 Squadron. The Pakistan Air Force's deployment to the UK will be supported by an IL-78 tanker, however, this jet from 10 Squadron won't be joining the static display.

[DutchAvPhotography]

And where exactly is the information from that it'll go into France? I don't see Riat AirOPS confirming it on their page if there's no visit expected to Fairford at all

And I quote ''The Pakistan Air Force will be sending one of their Il-78MP ‘Midas’ Aerial Refuelling tankers to RAF Fairford in support of their JF-17 Thunders who will be appearing on static.''

So just the JF-17s in the static in the above quote.

The web site states.. https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... t-updates/

There will be a pair of JF-17s, both from 8 Squadron, parked alongside a C-130E Hercules from 6 Squadron. The Pakistan Air Force's deployment to the UK will be supported by an IL-78 tanker, however, this jet from 10 Squadron won't be joining the static display.

The IL78MP was never expected to go into the static, although rumours with quite okayish sources are going around saying it is apparently expected for the static now, but it's just a waiting game

My point being is that there's no reason for RIAT AirOPS to add the IL78 to the confirmed aircraft page if the aircraft isn't expected to at least visit Fairford on either Wednesday, Thursday or Monday, going into France to then wait for JF17s who still have to come from the UK just because of the flightplan issue which is known to happen above France, is frankly unlogic because it doesn't prevent even a single issue from happening

[thevulcan]

Hi all, I have just had a read of the confirmed aircraft list and it states a flying and static B1B from Ellsworth AFB and a static aircraft from Dyess AFB. So potentially 3 B1's that we might be getting. Could of course be a typo or mistake on the website but I think it would make sense for Ellsworth to bring a spare if they are doing the flypasts. 40 years of the B1 this year roll on RIAT. Have a good week all and remember to stay hydrated its looking like a scorcher.

[James Cutting]

How on earth do you add 1 + 1 to get 3?? Just because 1 is performing flypasts, it doesn’t automatically warrant an airspare.

Returning to the Air Tattoo for the first time since 2018, Ellsworth AFB will be providing a B-1B for static display at RIAT25. In addition, a second example will be performing flypasts on Friday and Saturday as part of the flying display.

[James Cutting]

I think there’s a lot of overdue visits to Specsavers

The Pakistan Air Force will be sending one of their Il-78MP ‘Midas’ Aerial Refuelling tankers to RAF Fairford in support of their JF-17 Thunders who will be appearing on static. We do not expect the Midas to remain with us over the weekend for static display but it is hoped to be visiting the airfield during arrivals and departures.

All info easily viewable on the confirmed aircraft section!

[thevulcan]

Returning to the Air Tattoo for the first time since 2018, Ellsworth AFB will be providing a B-1B for static display at RIAT25. In addition, a second example will be performing flypasts on Friday and Saturday as part of the flying display.

This is the description on the website for the flying example.

Returning to the Air Tattoo for the first time since 2018, Dyess AFB will be providing a B-1B for static display at RIAT25.

This is the explanation for the static example the information is taken from the RIAT website https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... 1b-lancer/ could be a typo.

[Nighthawke]

There is only one for static as per Thursday's update. Never has there been mention of two on static. End.

[Amp]

I think there’s a lot of overdue visits to Specsavers

The Pakistan Air Force will be sending one of their Il-78MP ‘Midas’ Aerial Refuelling tankers to RAF Fairford in support of their JF-17 Thunders who will be appearing on static. We do not expect the Midas to remain with us over the weekend for static display but it is hoped to be visiting the airfield during arrivals and departures.

All info easily viewable on the confirmed aircraft section!

Fair point!

[James Cutting]

Returning to the Air Tattoo for the first time since 2018, Ellsworth AFB will be providing a B-1B for static display at RIAT25. In addition, a second example will be performing flypasts on Friday and Saturday as part of the flying display.

This is the description on the website for the flying example.

Returning to the Air Tattoo for the first time since 2018, Dyess AFB will be providing a B-1B for static display at RIAT25.

This is the explanation for the static example the information is taken from the RIAT website https://www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/a ... 1b-lancer/ could be a typo.

“A second example” you’ve just proved yourself wrong… There is no typo. It clearly states "An aircraft will be provided for static. In addition a second example will be performing flypasts."

[thevulcan]

I can see both your points i guess we wait and see.

[James Cutting]

But I don't see where you've got 3 aircraft from that's the thing?? Hence the confusion..

[seven]

Hi all, I have just had a read of the confirmed aircraft list and it states a flying and static B1B from Ellsworth AFB and a static aircraft from Dyess AFB. So potentially 3 B1's that we might be getting. Could of course be a typo or mistake on the website but I think it would make sense for Ellsworth to bring a spare if they are doing the flypasts. 40 years of the B1 this year roll on RIAT. Have a good week all and remember to stay hydrated its looking like a scorcher.

I don't recall there ever being a spare USAF bomber when they've been flying at RIAT, even in the year where there were two Bones flying

[Sparky 119]

It never ceases to amaze me year after year that the if’s and’s and but’s goes into overdrive, it was a much simpler era when none of us knew what was turning up until we all went on the day. Let’s all be thankful that we still have such a spectacle to attend.

[puma2]

Totally agree with you Sparky 119, there is in some cases on here, never satisfaction on what is confirmed!! Especially when operational military tempos are dictating the Airshow model.

Be grateful we still have a RIAT at all!!

[Supra]

Lets NOT? This is a discussion thread & it's interesting how the complicated English language in its standard format can be read in different ways by different people.
Find the subject matter in the sentence, look for syntax, read the intended meaning & your 'alternative' & decide on balance what the writer was actually meaning? Good Luck !