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Tips for newby to RIAT

Post information relating to the Royal International Air Tattoo here.
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fatherfaff
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Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:33 pm
Location: Leeds area

Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by fatherfaff » Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:15 am

I haven't been to RIAT (at least not since 1979) and have a ticket for Sunday. I am driving but wondering best way to do this:

Driving there on the day (4 hour drive) - what time would I need to arrive to get in in reasonable time?

Camping at one of the campsites set up for the event on the Saturday night- any recommendations (the official one is full) and can you leave your car at the campsite while you attend the show?

Any thoughts from RIAT veterans?

Dave

milaviation
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Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 4:27 pm

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by milaviation » Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:47 am

The static opens at 0730. I’d recommend doing this first thing in the morning

milaviation
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Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by milaviation » Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:52 am

im a first timer too, I’m just going on what’s going around :whistle:

Another tip, don’t spend ages at the static, get what you need from there,and go to the flying bit because it will get busy with people and families

phantom6
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Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 5:26 pm

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by phantom6 » Sun Jun 26, 2022 2:33 pm

I would do it the other way round get your spot at the flightline and do the static later to avoid bodies in your.shots most people will be heading home

iainpeden
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Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by iainpeden » Sun Jun 26, 2022 4:35 pm

Depends on the direction you come from. I aim for the blue gate but try to get there about 6. Seat back, go to sleep and move to the gate which has cleared of the massive queue by 8.

Campbell89
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Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Campbell89 » Mon Jun 27, 2022 8:44 pm

milaviation wrote:
Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:47 am
The static opens at 0730. I’d recommend doing this first thing in the morning
In 2019 while the gates opened at 0730, the actually static aircraft didn’t open up for visitors till around 0930. I remember queueing up to get on board a C-17 and the 3 Belgian F-16’s taking off.

Red-Eye-Knight
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Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2018 3:04 pm

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Red-Eye-Knight » Mon Jun 27, 2022 8:51 pm

Yes but viewing the static starts at 7.30am when the doors open.

tobytronic2
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Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:52 am

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by tobytronic2 » Fri Jul 01, 2022 7:06 am

A Newbie to RIAT cannot fail to have a good day - enjoy it.

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Freeman Lowell
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Location: Blandford Forum, occasionally

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Freeman Lowell » Fri Jul 01, 2022 7:59 am

Slightly random, but take Baz Luhrmann's headline advice...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5giWfpANMac
Freeman
It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see.

Ajax55
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Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:11 pm

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Ajax55 » Tue Jul 05, 2022 4:04 pm

Sorry can't comment re camping - was camping for the first time this year but had to cancel.

Take sunscreen, water, a hat and earplugs - sorry if you do this already.

The static opens at 07.30 but as there are three entrances opening at the same time only a small area near you will be 'people free' for a few minutes.

Since 1979 you will find that the public amenities have greatly improved, RIAT is not as good as the old Air Fete in terms of friendliness but nothing could be.

If you just want to take a few snaps you'll be fine.

If you are a keen photographer you are severley compromised - depends on the weather; a couple of times I've shot the statics I wanted in the morning in overcast conditions then had to go back after it rained and brightened up to get reflections, storm clouds, people with bright umbrellas, rainbows etc and had to miss most of the flying display - I normally go both Sat and Sun to get round this.

The size of the static park is also an issue - if you have a list of things you want to shoot I gurantee you'll find one nearby, one a mile away and the other 2 miles away.

Again, if you are a keen photographer you will be frustrated by the number of people showing a lack of etiquette, civility, common sense and good manners.

Have fun!

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Nighthawke
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Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Nighthawke » Tue Jul 05, 2022 4:40 pm

Not much change in 40 years then!

Arran J
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Location: Gloucester

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Arran J » Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:37 pm

Is they offical RIAT campsite in the east side any good for viewing the fridays action or would totterdown hill be a better option

Red-Eye-Knight
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Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Red-Eye-Knight » Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:43 pm

Arran J wrote:
Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:37 pm
Is they offical RIAT campsite in the east side any good for viewing the fridays action or would totterdown hill be a better option
I camped there in 2017 and yes you do get some nice views when they are coming from east to west but the hedges kind of cover them going west to east.

Arran J
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Location: Gloucester

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Arran J » Tue Jul 05, 2022 7:55 pm

Yes i did think that, your prob not allowed on the road side again this year either i take it!?

Red-Eye-Knight
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Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Red-Eye-Knight » Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:16 pm

They say your not allowed on the road side but there is always people there from mid morning whenever I have been.

Ajax55
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Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 5:11 pm

Re: Tips for newby to RIAT

Post by Ajax55 » Wed Jul 06, 2022 9:18 am

Nighthawke wrote:
Tue Jul 05, 2022 4:40 pm
Not much change in 40 years then!
Not much change in the 56 years that I've been attending UK airshows!

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