Royal International Air Tattoo 2019 Discussion Thread

[Alfie]

I started going to RIAT when it was still at Greenham and I went to the firsts ones to be held at Fairford, I can't remember how many. Then I dropped out for quite a few years and returned again in 2014 and haven't missed one since. This year I attended on the Sunday and although a good day with some excellent displays I found it slightly lacking compared to other years. It would be interesting to know what other members thought.

[James Cutting]

I agree that Sunday lacked a little less than Saturday, because Saturday was padded out with at least 4 flypasts of sorts

- 3 Belgian F-16s
- 747 and Reds
- Reds and Patrouille de France
- NATO flypast

Which obviously meant less flew Sunday. I think as well, the "star" acts were pushed to the finale on Sunday as well. With the MiGs, F-18 and Harriers being in the 2 hours of flying.

Friday to Monday though, overall, was brilliant.

[paddyboy]

Hi Jimbo

Glad/knew you and our gang WOULD have a great time

Can't wait to fave some of your awesome shots with your new kit

Mark: you won't ever win

Paddster

[Campbell89]

Heritage F-15 wise, the 492nd is at Nellis, the 493rd weren't in attendance and the 494th is broken.

I asked the 492nd guys there how long the heritage aircraft would remain in the schemes and they couldn’t say although they imagined it would be the remainder of this year only. I NEED to see any of them before they’re repainted.

[Gary]

Heritage F-15 wise, the 492nd is at Nellis, the 493rd weren't in attendance and the 494th is broken.

493rd heritage jet was due to arrive with 494th jet but went U/S, I think the pilot said it was a hydraulic issue while taxing or on start up

[James Cutting]

Hi Jimbo

Glad/knew you and our gang WOULD have a great time

Can't wait to fave some of your awesome shots with your new kit

Mark: you won't ever win

Paddster

Cheers Paddy - We all did

[John flightpath]

I can see the point that James Cutting is trying to make, however I think DBH need to be a little more commercially savvy and do more to balance up the 2 weekend days going forward. Friday should not be charged at the same price as the weekend if they are not having a display for the same amount of hours. It is a natural reaction that when we buy our early bird tickets in December and January that the expectation and anticipation begins. If those Thursday updates don't come up to our expectations, then there is a bit of disappointment creeps in. I believe its time for DBH to take a step back, think about it and improve the overall plan,and stop thinking of 'continually milking the proverbial cow'.
A bit more thought going into it would no go amiss. In doing so they could sell out the Sunday aswell.

Just thought I would put it out there.

Cheers
John 'flightpath'.

[StevenNFFC]

I think you are also up against the general public who just go for 'a day out' and couldn't care what displays and what doesn't. For example, this is a quote from a lady who commented on RIAT asking for feedback on the show on Facebook:

The children loved the STEM/Techno zone, more so than the flying displays. Not enough to keep the toddler age group entertained though

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

Yes, whilst this is an event for aviation enthusiasts, there are a lot of families, 'plane widows' and general public that attend that bring in an awful lot of the custom. I brought my wife along this year who does like planes, but has no real interest. It's the first time she had seen a display from a jet with a burner which did blow her away but the difference between an RNLAF F-16 and RNoAF F-16 was largely lost on her. Even the F-4s. They were mouth wateringly good, but if they hadn't had the shark mouth, they would have been lost on my wife, despite their rarity.

We didn't go on a great deal of 'Joe Public' attractions like the big wheel, but personally, I didn't feel it hampered the experience in being there. If anything, the main frustration as an observer is how much of the centre line all the paddocks and tents take up if you just pay normal prices. But of course, without those tents, there'd probably be no RIAT.

Whilst ever we're still attending a single event with over 250 aircraft, it doesn't matter how many Waltzers or plywood UAVs attend, because it will still be 'our Glastonbury'.

Zac

[Campbell89]

If anything, the main frustration as an observer is how much of the centre line all the paddocks and tents take up if you just pay normal prices. But of course, without those tents, there'd probably be no RIAT.

This was my only frustration. Trying to get to the flight line whilst in the middle of the blue zone was a nightmare. The stands and stalls could have easily been placed the other side of the static aircraft, although if this happened then the grandstands wouldn’t sell as well.

[ChrisCwmbran]

Yes, whilst this is an event for aviation enthusiasts, there are a lot of families, 'plane widows' and general public that attend that bring in an awful lot of the custom.

I'd suggest this is utter poppycock. RIAT is run for the public in general. I'm 100% sure that the organisers would confirm that.

[ChrisCwmbran]

I can see the point that James Cutting is trying to make, however I think DBH need to be a little more commercially savvy and do more to balance up the 2 weekend days going forward. Friday should not be charged at the same price as the weekend if they are not having a display for the same amount of hours. It is a natural reaction that when we buy our early bird tickets in December and January that the expectation and anticipation begins. If those Thursday updates don't come up to our expectations, then there is a bit of disappointment creeps in. I believe its time for DBH to take a step back, think about it and improve the overall plan,and stop thinking of 'continually milking the proverbial cow'.
A bit more thought going into it would no go amiss. In doing so they could sell out the Sunday aswell.

Just thought I would put it out there.

Cheers
John 'flightpath'.

My understanding is that the Friday display was nothing more than a reaction that Saturday and Sundays were completely selling out.

I wonder whether a better solution, if it could be done, would be for the aircraft to be based at Fairford, and display there on a Saturday and Sunday, but also display at a second location such as Kemble allowing for more visitors. That would also allow them if need be to tailor each location, and even the displays for different groups of patrons.

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

Yes, whilst this is an event for aviation enthusiasts, there are a lot of families, 'plane widows' and general public that attend that bring in an awful lot of the custom.

I'd suggest this is utter poppycock. RIAT is run for the public in general. I'm 100% sure that the organisers would confirm that.

I fear you've misinterpreted my comment. I don't mean it's exclusively run for aviation enthusiasts (far from it), but surely it's target is people who at least have a passing interest in aviation or perhaps would like to inspire their children to get into a career that may lead them down the lines of engineering, design, piloting etc?

Zac

[ChrisCwmbran]

Personally I'd suggest its focus is raising funds and providing a day out for absolutely anyone who fancies it.

I know a good number of people who go who couldn't tell a Typhoon from an F-35 but they still take the family every year and have since the kids were small.

Given fund raising is one of the main reasons for the event it would be interesting to see who really spends the money there..... an aviation enthusiast or a member of Joe Public.

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

Given fund raising is one of the main reasons for the event it would be interesting to see who really spends the money there..... an aviation enthusiast or a member of Joe Public.

Yes, I've got to admit, buying fish and chips for £7.50 in 2018 and receiving what can only be described as a battered stickleback and deep fried oven chips, I only bought a single cup of tea this year.....

Zac

[James Cutting]

I know what you mean, but you can understand the prices when the stalls have to pay a fee for their pitch, and pay the people that are working that weekend, they have to make profits somehow. At least there are set prices across the park, though.

[Alfie]

With the reference to food prices, there is always a price guide to food prices in the souvenir programme. So you do get some idea of the charges and slightly in defence of the traders I don't know what RIAT charge for trade pitches, but it certainly will not be cheap and then the traders have staff and lots of other costs as well. I have been going to such events like RIAT for a long time and always take my own food with me and may only buy top ups if necessary. Sorry I have repeated the comment before, but that was put on while I was typing, but it looks as if we are both singing from the same hymn sheet.

[Zac Hinchcliffe]

I know what you mean, but you can understand the prices when the stalls have to pay a fee for their pitch, and pay the people that are working that weekend, they have to make profits somehow. At least there are set prices across the park, though.

Oh it's just 'festival prices'. Nothing that I wasn't expecting or unreasonable considering the companies need to make some profit at least (I just bring a packed lunch instead because I'm tight ) My main annoyance was that they weren't proper chips!

Zac

[James Cutting]

Yeah I know how you feel! But, tbf, the fish and chips I had were actually really nice on the Friday, loads of chips and a decent size piece of cod!

[ChrisCwmbran]

Sadly I can't buy anything from any of the catering places :/