How will you be enjoying the show?

[DanH]

Thanks for your responses everyone, its good to know that I'm not the only one who makes such a mission out of it

One thing I forgot to mention is that the weekend before RIAT I'll be at Waddington as well, camping in a site near Coningsby so I'm travelling down to Fairford from there.

[Calendar Blue]

Well, we haven't been given our arrival slot yet, but we're due to fly in on Friday! Having always driven to the show before, it's going to be a real treat to fly in; I'm very excited!
I guess we'll then have some time to sort out our static display (get the cooler sorted for the beers! ) and then, from what we've been told, we are royally looked after by RIAT for the next 2 days. I suspect it's all going to be quite tiring, but very enjoyable. My only concern at this stage is.....the weather.
And then we're off home again on Monday. The bosses want us to try for an early departure slot, but I think as far as the crew are concerned, we could be hoping for a lie-in!

[cookiejay]

Am I the only muppet that will be leaving early Saturday morning to get there for the gates opening at 7:30?
Unfortunately this is out of my hands though as I'll be bringing most if the in-laws with me, so I'd rather endure a couple of hours traffic with them than a couple of nights stuck in a tent!

Just out of interest, does anyone know a rough queuing time if we arrive between 7 - 7:30am?

Thanks,
CJ

[farnboroughrob]

I will be forsaking Farnborough for Fairford on the departures Monday. Im only into numbers so not that bothered about seeing the flying. Will have been at Farnborough for all of arrivals week and will go to the trade day there on Tuesday.

[rdchawk]

Am I the only muppet that will be leaving early Saturday morning to get there for the gates opening at 7:30?
Unfortunately this is out of my hands though as I'll be bringing most if the in-laws with me, so I'd rather endure a couple of hours traffic with them than a couple of nights stuck in a tent!

Just out of interest, does anyone know a rough queuing time if we arrive between 7 - 7:30am?

Thanks,
CJ

No your not the only one - me and my mate will be travelling on the early hours of saturday morning to get there and then go back home at the end of the day.

[Dragon Rapide]

As I am unable to go, by reading this thread AFTERWARDS and enjoying all the photos!! Hope the weather behaves itself for all of you!

[JackyRIATWilson]

Am I the only muppet that will be leaving early Saturday morning to get there for the gates opening at 7:30?
Unfortunately this is out of my hands though as I'll be bringing most if the in-laws with me, so I'd rather endure a couple of hours traffic with them than a couple of nights stuck in a tent!

Just out of interest, does anyone know a rough queuing time if we arrive between 7 - 7:30am?

Thanks,
CJ

No your not the only one - me and my mate will be travelling on the early hours of saturday morning to get there and then go back home at the end of the day.

I'm leaving my hotel 20 miles away at 6.45am to get there for when the gates open. Can't wait!

[UKTopgun]

As I will drive from deepest Essex will go on one day - whichever is best for weather. Wake at 4.30 ish, leave at 5am and arrive Lechlade/Red Route around 7am. Then all the way back same evening. Have they knocked the after show concert on the head?.... used to like that for a bit of a rest at the show's end....

[rdchawk]

As I will drive from deepest Essex will go on one day - whichever is best for weather. Wake at 4.30 ish, leave at 5am and arrive Lechlade/Red Route around 7am. Then all the way back same evening. Have they knocked the after show concert on the head?.... used to like that for a bit of a rest at the show's end....

I think they still do that

[antal]

Driving up from the Netherlands on the Tuesday to out hotel near Swindon. Then wensday, thursday and friday the P&V (prob. west) and on base on the saturday. Then of to home where we arrive at around 3 am. Sunday to wensday sleeping Riat off and the next few weeks photos, photos, photos......

[Tonka 617]

I'll be travelling from Derby at silly o'clock in the morning to get the Fairford for when the gates open (hopefully not queuing for as long as i did in 2010) have a little wander around a few static items if there is time before the flying starts, have a walk around the static after the flying has finished then off back up to Derby the same day

[DeconflictionService]

Personally I'll be one of the CrAzY people that volunteer at RIAT ~ Thats how I'll be enjoying the show!!

[AndEmanuel]

I’ll be leaving home on Wednesday and arriving at Kempsford by lunchtime.

Thursday I’ll be enjoying the sunshine in the FRIAT enclosure and an evening in the beer tent.

Friday I need to collect my two less addicted friends, but will be back by 11am. (glad we only live 17miles away). From this point on, it’s anyone’s guess, but I will definitely have a permanent grin on my face

[stuart n]

Monday to Monday for me. P&V East Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. General tickets for Saturday and Sunday and probably Rhymes farm for depatures

[Mr Flibble]

Well it's FRIAT and Kempsford, Wednesday to Monday.
Bring it on!
Looking forward to wet burgers an hotlinks. Hope the weather will be good enough to enjoy a beer or two outside the Flanker and Phantom at the campsite

[JohnF]

FRIAT member so 6 days at Fairford for me. Only live in Reading so no need to camp. Just have to get up early for 6 days! Then it's over to Farnborough for the trade days.

[DeanW]

I'll be at Fairford from the Tues-Mon, although might swing by Brize at some point on the Tues depending on the Colombians arrival. All that after 4 days of Waddington action means it's going to be a bloody brilliant 11 days!

[Kieran]

Wednesday-Monday for me hopefully. Will be lurking around the Runway 27/ East P+V end Weds-Friday, Rhymes and Totterdown at the weekend. Considering buying a ticket to go in for 1 day as well!

[tomcatforever]

How will you be enjoying the show? Eating overpriced food in FRIAT I will be there Friday though Monday

[Jason32]

Aviation Club on Saturday.

[Tommy]

Friday-Monday for me. Staying at Totterdown over the weekend. It'll be my first time watching Monday departures as I don't have to be at work that day!!!

[henk99]

Saturday to Monday afternoon for me. Traveling from the netherlands on Friday afternoon to arrive in Bristol. Then I get picked up by the friends where I'm staying at in Lechlade. On the showground Saturday/Sunday, then departures on Monday at Rhymes with Stuart
Lookign forward to the show very, very much

[Dragon Rapide]

ADVICE PLEASE - from seasoned visitors!! Quite suddenly, as of an hour ago, it looks as though I might be able to get to the show on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. So is Friday a good day for arrivals and rehearsals and if so which area is best? Secondly if I choose a show day which is better if I stump up the cost for an enclosure - Grandstand or Jubilee? Thank you!

[DanH]

ADVICE PLEASE - from seasoned visitors!! Quite suddenly, as of an hour ago, it looks as though I might be able to get to the show on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. So is Friday a good day for arrivals and rehearsals and if so which area is best? Secondly if I choose a show day which is better if I stump up the cost for an enclosure - Grandstand or Jubilee? Thank you!

Friday is certainly the busiest day for arrivals and rehearsals, as that is the day when most of the RAF stuff arrives. As far as the enclosures are concerned, I've only been into the Jubilee Garden so I can't comment on the Grandstand. The Garden is a nice relaxing environment if you just want to sit and enjoy the show, but probably isn't so great for photography as to get the best shots you'd have to stand up and get in other people's way which won't make you a popular lad. I believe both enclosures have dedicated toilet facilities and refreshments, so they're matched in that respect, and they're both fairly central on the crowdline.

[Dragon Rapide]

Thanks - that's very helpful. Looking at the website the East area is clearly the better of the two, because of the greater likelihood of westerly wind direction. I am not a "photographer" in the UKAR sense of the term but enjoy taking pictures and videos for my own use so the Jubilee at a couple of quid more might suit.