Royal International Air Tattoo 2018 Discussion Thread

[Knife 04]

Very pleasantly surprised that the 56th are over!!

HH-60 from 305th RQS (Davis Monthan unit)

[James Cutting]

My bad, too quick and excited

[Knife 04]

Hope you are using your screen saver!!

[James Cutting]

[hernaman86]

Really hope there are more types of fast jet display announcements for riat, yes I’m happy there is a f16, a f18 and typhoons, but do we really need to see 4 of each, all we have to really look forward to other than the usuals is the mig 21 (which I’m very glad about) but I’m really hoping to see a tornado, surely surely the raf will display one and I don’t mean a boring fly over! I want to see a mig 29, maybe some flankers? The f35 is here now, they need to mix it up a bit! It used to be the air show where you would see all the very unique stuff, that’s all on boring static now

[TREBAX_RAVEN]

Well said. it will be very disappointing if the RAF don't send a tonka to RIAT.

[MRTT]

RIAT can't do anything right can they? Unbelievable, it really is.

[TREBAX_RAVEN]

RIAT can't do anything right can they? Unbelievable, it really is.

Really......we should all stop complaining shouldn't we

[MRTT]

Of course, you're entitled to an opinion but, it seems whatever they add, there's always something wrong with it.

Wasn't aimed at you either, 633.

[TREBAX_RAVEN]

Wasn't aimed at you either, 633.

No worry's MRRT, i wasn't taking it personally.
At the end of the day I'm just happy that there is such a great airshow near where i live.

[hernaman86]

Look I’m still looking forward to it I am, but I’m just noticing how airshows are going here, people getting really excited about seeing a plane parked up,,,if they think everyone is really happy about that, then more they will do it and the less pressure there will be on putting on a varied flying performance which I know, deep deep down is what everyone would want to see, without the fans there is no air show, and the fans I’m very very sure would rather see lots of variation and unique stuff, so they should be trying to give the fans what they want! Every time they post a update, and it’s all static and people are like oh my god, amazing this show is going to be great, the more of that we will get!!!

[MRTT]

You have to realise, that there simply isn't a display of every type from every air arm. Of course, it'd be lovely to see the F-15 in the sky but, without a display, it won't happen.

The organisers don't choose to have a certain type on static, it's decided by the air arm itself. You also need to remember that, without easily the biggest static display in the world, RIAT wouldn't be what it is today.

[hernaman86]

Yeah I see your point, obviously there is a change in attitude from higher powers and it’s a shame as it’s the tax payers who paid for them and we not even seeing them at air shows? For me if you like static, then go to a museum, they are open all round, air shows are about flying and it’s one weekend of the year! You would think too, with the aid we send India they could send some of their flankers over lol still though there is absolutely no reason why a RAF tornado should not be displaying this year! None at all

[Steven]

still though there is absolutely no reason why a RAF tornado should not be displaying this year! None at all

1. Available display aircraft plus spare (there are only 27 aircraft left and 8 of those are in Akrotiri)
2. Available aircrew (with only 31 Sqn and IX(B) Sqn remaining would you like to be the man that tells a pilot and WSO that following their tour in Akrotiri they now must give up tbeir summer weekends?)
3. Available ground/maintenance crew (same as above)
4. Available hours to practise the display and gain a PDA and hours to subsequently keep current

These are just 4 things I thought of off the top of my head and I’m sure there are at least another ten reasons

[saint1]

Think P&V tickets for depts (16 July) are sold out online? as just tried and got N/A.....They will be available on gate though, first come first served. Luckily have other tickets I need.

[Gary]

Looks likely, this was included in today's email from DBH

Park and View - Arrivals & Departures
Due to high demand, Park & View 'in advance' tickets for Wednesday arrivals and Monday departures will soon no longer be available online. This is to ensure there is availability on the day as there are no other suitable parking and viewing facilities on the public highways and pedestrian walkways surrounding RAF Fairford. On the day availability is on a first come first served basis and the enclosure opens at 7.30 each day. Unfortunately should we reach capacity on the day you will be asked to leave the area for safety reasons.

[red leader]

This is unexpected. You would have thought that Saturday would sell out first.

[John flightpath]

Great, I'm glad to see some of the Americans there. I'll take F-15's on the ground. No problem. We did see them flying last year or the year before on the flypast. If we don't see an RAF F-35, I will eat my hat. They will have been asked for sure, so we'll just have to wait and see. Its all part of the game. You need to chillax. !!

Cheers
John 'flightpath'

[sneezy24]

I think there is something for everyone.

I'm going Wednesday for arrivals and practice, Friday to have a good look at the statics (and watch the displays, probably not too many pics, just relax and watch!), and Monday to watch and photograph them all (or most of them) go.

And I'll enjoy the variety of each day!

[trotsenstein]

I think from last year at P&V they were turning people away at the gate as they'd 'sold out' yet if you could get online the tickets were there. P&V West still had loads of space inside.