RIAT 2014 - Participation Thread

[Wissam24]

Agree about the F-16s being in front of the fairground, however there was the one Belgian and two Danish F-16s which arrived today, so they'll presumably be moved there by tomorrow if they haven't already - they had the space for them anyway.

Also agree about the Scorpion being squished into what I assume is the Textron Pen (Beechcraft + AirLand). Should be given a star spot to itself!

The Reds flypast was fantastic - nice anecdote from Red 10 on the commentary that the max speed of the Albatros is not far off the min speed of the Tiger, so there was a very narrow band in which it could be done! Pity about the cancellations in the flying display but that's nobody's fault - great that they replaced the Merlin with the Puma. However, as I mentioned earlier, I felt very short changed with the Pit Day event - too many canopy covers, not enough crew/pilots out from the other teams to make it interesting. Only got any decent shots of the Breitlings. I must've headed back to the grandstand about...12ish, so not that late. Really they should've been out from opening time to make it worthwhile.

Bring on the weekend, and hopefully no worse weather than what we've had so far. I thought it very apt that the one part we had any decent sun today was the Red display, on their special day!

[Flare Path]

Today felt a bit like a day at the Farnborough Air Show, not a bad thing by any means but felt strangely different.

[kianelle]

Very Nice of the reds to do another late eavning display . What was that all about ...

[MRTT]

The Spitfire display was for the Gala Dinner

[Andyperkins]

Choppers weren't having much luck today were they lol hopefully everything will be ok when I go back up on Sunday.

[MRTT]

That's what I thought, shame they couldn't display the Apache, Chinook or RN Merlin but thought the display by the Swiss Puma was brilliant and it spent most of its time really close to the FRIAT grandstand so was happy about that.

[Wissam24]

Yeah, rotten luck, but great work and thanks to the Swiss for stepping in. It sounds like the Apache and Chinook will be happily up and running, and I assume the Merlin they towed from static to display apron and back was being cannibalised? So hopefully that too

[Maisie]

What has cancelled in the flying display, apart from the obvious? (F-35)

[Andyperkins]

What has cancelled in the flying display, apart from the obvious? (F-35)

Apache
Merlin (Super Puma performed instead)
Chinook

F-18 didn't perform a full display either but on the plus side the Gripen validated it's display at around 11am which was great as always and all the arrivals were a nice bonus so overall I very good day IMO.

[Maisie]

Gutted about the Chinook, still haven't got a decent display photo.

[LN Strike Eagle]

Gutted about the Chinook, still haven't got a decent display photo.

Only cancelled today AFAIK - they hope to fix the issue and fly over the weekend.

[itfcscott]

According to a tweet that I saw earlier, the issue has been fixed and will display tomorrow

[Andyperkins]

Gutted about the Chinook, still haven't got a decent display photo.

Should have made that clear, the items I mentioned were only cancelled today so should be flying Sat/Sun.

The Apache didn't have anything wrong with it but was delayed in arriving so missed it's slot, the Merlin went tech but I assume will be sorted overnight and the same for the Chinook.

[Maisie]

Right, ok....

[G-CVIX]

Static has been shifted about by the looks of things and looks much more appetising than what we could see today. Already bought a couple of tees, can see the F-35 tent doing very well even though the aircraft are not here!

[sopwithflyer]

Static has been shifted about by the looks of things and looks much more appetising than what we could see today. Already bought a couple of tees, can see the F-35 tent doing very well even though the aircraft are not here!

clearly the F-35 folk aren't terrified of hordes of angry, violent spotters rampaging through taking no prisoners like VttS claimed to be...

[MRTT]

Enjoyed the show today, helicopter no shows were a shame though!

[81TFW]

The F-35 people aren't scared of rampaging spotters because - they're US Marines!

And very proud of what they fly from chatting to them today. As a potential rampaging spotter didn't challenge them...

[G-CVIX]

Does anyone know if FRIAT get our own lanes tomorrow?

[MRTT]

Yes we do, I spoke to Wendy earlier and she said just walk past everybody and say to them "We have one of these passes, buy one next year"

[G-CVIX]

Excellent thanks! If anyone sees me in FRIAT stand tomorrow feel free to say hi. Burnt face, big beard and vivid Blue angels tee (Trust me, you'll see it)

[chrisward123]

Spoke with Tim Prince today:
He mentioned that the F-35s 'may' be flying in Sunday/Monday evening if cleared to fly and if so the FRIAT enclosure will be kept open

Christian

[Pringles]

Does anyone know if crew with aircraft on static display get any form of priority getting in as I'm bringing my dad's colleague with me who has an aircraft on display on static with a crew pass.

[AARDVARK]

Spoke with Tim Prince today:
He mentioned that the F-35s 'may' be flying in Sunday/Monday evening if cleared to fly and if so the FRIAT enclosure will be kept open

Christian

You one of those RIAT nutters

[Maisie]

Did the Su-22's do that missed approach down the runway in their display??