RIAT 2015 - The Feedback

[henk99]

One aircraft had a bird strike, after they landed safely (with brake chute who the hell knew Mirages had them!!!) the other aircraft gave a solo.

I spoke to one of the ramex pilots after the show and asked if the aircraft was alright after the birdstrike. He told me it was not a birdstrike but a small problem with the fly by wire system. They can leave as scheduled according to him.

[CJS]

Just got home after a super day out, as per .

Highlights for me - pretty much all the flying displays, getting on and off site, friendliness of the aircrew - in particular the Scorpion pilot, all the RAF crews I spoke to and the U.S. guys too - it was good to see so much opened up too.

The BoB tribute flypast was well put together and very moving and I enjoyed the Vulcan / Reds flypast too. A spirited display by 558 (although apparently not up to yesterday, Sean even announced it wouldn't be before it took off!) and the last time I'll see it fly so bit lumpy-throaty when she landed.

Lowlights - none really. Shame not to see the full RD demo but that can't be helped and great of the remaining crew to fly a solo display. Although nice to see I didn't particularly enjoy the team Zeus display - Belgian one knocked spots off it imho. And the price of the food (but as I didn't buy any that doesn't really count.

Very pleased with my day out - a great first RIAT for Mr Armstrong, bodes well for the future.

[Coldwar77]

I have been reliably informed that the guarding of the P8 is a Boeing condition of attendance due to what it has on board.

[pbeardmore]

Have to agree with the commentary on the Typhoon. I know we take the mickey out of our American friends with their OTT commentary but at least it's dynamic and gets your attention. She was just not up to the job with just no energy. Sounded if she just did not want to be there.

[TYPHOON3]

Have to agree with the commentary on the Typhoon. I know we take the mickey out of our American friends with their OTT commentary but at least it's dynamic and gets your attention. She was just not up to the job with just no energy. Sounded if she just did not want to be there.

She's the Typhoon Display Team Manager in case you didn't realise.That's probably why she's doing the commentary.I think the manager did the commentary last year also.

[Rory76]

First visit to Fairford since the halcyon days of 97/98 yesterday, albeit from Totterown as it sold out before I got my wotsit into gear.

Fantastic show, and certainly a prime spot for watching the fast jets- several times they were pretty much literally diving straight at me! Would def recommend people doing one day there or Rhymes if they stay on site for one day. Especially for you photographers!

Highlight for me was the Vulcan by a country mile, first time I've seen her display and what an introduction!! Wouldn't agree with the "disappointing" tags that have been hung on some acts- all very good in their own way. My one constructive criticism would be that maybe a missing man could have been flown by the last 4-ship in the balbo.

Back tomorrow for departures

BTW- when did they stop doing the mass flypasts to end the show like the did in 97/98?

[captainfurious]

Really, really enjoyed RIAT this year. After all the rumour and speculation virtually nothing cancelled. A combination of varied weather conditions, a large well laid out static and brilliant displays provided my favourite RIAT for several years. The French really delivered both in the role demo and display team. Also that trick the German Bo did was great. However, like many my star of the show was the Vulcan. I've always found the project a little in your face and the displays in recent years poor. However that take off will live in RIAT history. Today I watched the display from Totterdown and then rode like the clappers to the end of the runway to see her with the Red Arrows and land. As she came in to land she appeared over the trees and then swallowed the sky as the crowd there erupted into spontaneous applause and cheers. That was my last moment seeing her and I glad I did.

Finally, I really don't understand the cost issue. Been to Yeovilton and Cosford this year, both of which I see as good value. I always do one day in RIAT and its sheer size and variety in comparison warrants the price.

Top work RIAT. More of the same next year please.

[Airshowhammer]

Positives:
I've seen no one mention it but the Slovenian Pc-7 display was cracking, Vulcan was not as good as Saturdays display but farewell to the old girl, Finnish Hornet was amazing, Ramex on Saturday were very good, Sunday credit where its due for still managing to put on a show. There stool was cool aswell as were the crew, they wanted to talk. As with the F15 crew, love the bottle opener i bought! Typhoon was really good. The sound of the Griffon Spitfire aswell, simply stunning. Sundays weather was the best out the two days, and i enjoyed walking around the statics a bit more today. Saturdays flying was better! But an amazing weekend nevertheless!

Negatives:
The big wavy flags, every photo opportunity it got in the way at times, they're a bit to high. (The flags that say Disabled, Air Tattoo and so on)
The bloody idiot on Saturday in Red enclosure at the crowdline who had the biggest step ladder known to man, he was the only one i noticed doing it!
Get rid of the bright colours and horrible tacky advertising, please! Make it actually feel more military based. Instead of big red gloves, bright blue t shirts, with yellow F35's! The programme next year has to change, sick of seeing it look like a 3 year old has edited and drawn it!
The amount of hospitality tents on the crowdline.
Next year i want to feel to feel like i'm at an airshow not some mainstream over the top event! Does anyone get the feeling that RIAT does not care about the people but how much money they cash in? Everything seems like one big sale.

[Richard E]

It was interesting that they felt the P8 deserved railings and armed officers but across the pan the KC135, Hogs and Eagles had no special measures, wonder why?

The KC-135 and F-15s were enjoying an armed guard on Saturday morning.

Also very intrigued about the inconsistencies in the security searches - Saturday waved through without any checks, twenty four fours later had the same camera bag and rucksack searched so thoroughly that every pocket and pouch was opened and rummaged through. Not worried: it has to be done I suppose.

[TomTwin]

It was interesting that they felt the P8 deserved railings and armed officers but across the pan the KC135, Hogs and Eagles had no special measures, wonder why?

The KC-135 and F-15s were enjoying an armed guard on Saturday morning.

Also very intrigued about the inconsistencies in the security searches - Saturday waved through without any checks, twenty four fours later had the same camera bag and rucksack searched so thoroughly that every pocket and pouch was opened and rummaged through. Not worried: it has to be done I suppose.

Same lad searched me 3 times, even though he knew I'm not a bomb throwing, gun toting terrorist, which makes me feel safe as it's thorough, and here to protect us. Don't know why some people complain over it really.

[Adam L.]

Superb day, good weather, excellent variety and quality in the flying, didn't once get stuck in traffic. Now that's what I call a success!

[UKTopgun]

If the U.S. KC 135 etc were being guarded on sat morning they were not once flying had ended, obviously the organisers feel that Joe Terrorist will not attack after the flying because he will want to beat the traffic.

[A10]

Fab show today, highlight F-18 and seeing A-10, well organised too I thought can't wait for next year.Vulcan was amazing.

[JJC]

RAF commentaries, by and large, need some serious showmanship injected! The crowd won't get excited pre-show if you sound like you're fluffing your way through a school play. Very dull and wooden compared to any other display with a dedicated commentary. The Swiss really showed how to be very 'professional' whilst still providing enthusiastic and interesting commentary to their respective displays.

Just to point out, Ben Dunnell doesn't have a rigid script, but does indeed use the same notes for both days (and why wouldn't he?) I personally found him and Mark to be excellent once more this year, informative without going OTT and nearly always providing interesting and succinct dialogue. Even George Bacon wasn't too bad, now he's relegated to dealing the show ground announcements (plug for the dvd aside - but I doubt that's his fault).

[FTS]

RAF commentaries, by and large, need some serious showmanship injected! The crowd won't get excited pre-show if you sound like you're fluffing your way through a school play. Very dull and wooden compared to any other display with a dedicated commentary. The Swiss really showed how to be very 'professional' whilst still providing enthusiastic and interesting commentary to their respective displays.

Just to point out, Ben Dunnell doesn't have a rigid script, but does indeed use the same notes for both days (and why wouldn't he?) I personally found him and Mark to be excellent once more this year, informative without going OTT and nearly always providing interesting and succinct dialogue. Even George Bacon wasn't too bad, now he's relegated to dealing the show ground announcements (plug for the dvd aside - but I doubt that's his fault).

"...and i'm delighted to be here" said in a completely flat, monotone voice. Yeah you sound it mate!

[Suprastar]

All I can see is epic. Form me this RIAT was perfect.
Got home last night from our 2nd day and can't complain about anything. We tried both red route and green route. In and out on both occasions without problems.
The flying was great and aircrews very friendly.

Vulcan and reds where fantastic.
My personal highlight was the osprey.

Looking forward to RIAT 16
Congratulations and thank you to all who helped organised it, both on this forum and back at Douglas Bader House
Also, big thanks to all the air cadets and volunteers.

My wife is now a bigger airshow fan than myself.

[BrawlerO]

First timer thoughts...

I'm a bit of an airshow novice (been to Farnborough twice and Dunsfold Wings and Wheels twice) and this was my first RIAT.

Overall I had a very enjoyable couple of days (attended Friday and Saturday) and hope to return in the future. Splitting the event over the two days worked well as I managed to see all I wanted to see but also avoid any major travel problems on the Saturday (I left after the Vulcan landed and before the Reds finished on Saturday).

Thought the static displays were very extensive and accessible and the facilities were pretty good for the size of the event.

The flying displays contained a good mix of acts although some of the helicopters seemed a bit lost trying to cover the extent of the crowdline. My personal faves were Ramex Delta and the BoB section.

Hopefully I can convince my GF to come next year as well so that I can get a good spot at the front next time.

[RIAT Air Ops]

One aircraft had a bird strike, after they landed safely (with brake chute who the hell knew Mirages had them!!!) the other aircraft gave a solo.

Folks, it wasn't a bird strike at all, it was a FCS (Flight Control System) fault.

Tom

[RIAT Air Ops]

It was interesting that they felt the P8 deserved railings and armed officers but across the pan the KC135, Hogs and Eagles had no special measures, wonder why?

Levels of protection are mandated by US DoD not us or, as has mentioned earlier Boeing, hence what you saw out on the ramps.

Cheers, Tom

[Airshowhammer]

One aircraft had a bird strike, after they landed safely (with brake chute who the hell knew Mirages had them!!!) the other aircraft gave a solo.

Folks, it wasn't a bird strike at all, it was a FCS (Flight Control System) fault.

Tom

The reason everyone is saying it was a bird strike is because that is what we were informed that happened from the commentary, even when the Mirage was landing why did the commentator say 'The other Mirage will fly along side it at slow speed to inspect the damage'

[Adie1980]

One aircraft had a bird strike, after they landed safely (with brake chute who the hell knew Mirages had them!!!) the other aircraft gave a solo.

Folks, it wasn't a bird strike at all, it was a FCS (Flight Control System) fault.

Tom

The reason everyone is saying it was a bird strike is because that is what we were informed that happened from the commentary, even when the Mirage was landing why did the commentator say 'The other Mirage will fly along side it at slow speed to inspect the damage'

Don't take it personally Airshowhammer, I think Tom is reasonably giving us an updated explanation!!
I also happened to hear the aircrew mention this on the Ramex merchandise stall

[sopwithflyer]

Went in all three days (one in an enclosure) and all went perfectly. Arrived at yellow 0800 each day and sailed through empty check ins. Got searched every time and they went right through everything and have absolutely no problem with it (all for security and happy it is in place)

Didn't really wait for anything, no problems at all. Did the static (again) after the flying on Sunday and was not hurried or rushed by anyone. I did hear one forces volunteer hurry others along and his colleague said "its not our job to do that! leave them" so attitude was a bit random.

Positioning of the display jets was great and appreciated.

Weather played ball! so all in all 9/10 for RIAT

My only SMALL! complaints.

Was being asked to high five volunteers with big foam hands on the way out twice and a few times while doing the static. Leave that cringeworthy b%%%%ks for under fives birthday parties please.

Gazebos/tents. As others have pointed out. (They didn't effect me personally as I watched the flying from an enclosure and walked around the rest of the time) not going to repeat what others have said but the crowd-line space lost (that lost space increasing, the further forward they are positioned) is really taking advantage. I really do think there should be a note sent out with tickets stating the 10m WILL be enforced and ensure that it is, or even better an area set aside or marked out for them. Stated this as a small complaint as I was fortunate enough not to be effected, but a large complaint had I been, and sympathise with those who settled down only to find some muppet erecting a Bedouin village in front of them.

[Adam L.]

Gazebos/tents. As others have pointed out. (They didn't effect me personally as I watched the flying from an enclosure and walked around the rest of the time) not going to repeat what others have said but the crowd-line space lost (that lost space increasing, the further forward they are positioned) is really taking advantage. I really do think there should be a note sent out with tickets stating the 10m WILL be enforced and ensure that it is, or even better an area set aside or marked out for them. Stated this as a small complaint as I was fortunate enough not to be effected, but a large complaint had I been, and sympathise with those who settled down only to find some muppet erecting a Bedouin village in front of them.

I did see that being enforced. One person set up a tent near me, right behind the people at the very front. He was asked to move by a volunteer, and from their conversation I got the impression that the same person had asked them to move at least once previously. There was a bit of an argument (a quiet, non-shouty one) and then he went to the right place. I've got to agree with you that having a marked area for these tents sounds like a good idea.

[sopwithflyer]

I did see that being enforced. One person set up a tent near me, right behind the people at the very front. He was asked to move by a volunteer, and from their conversation I got the impression that the same person had asked them to move at least once previously.

Excellent if it was.

[keety]

Enjoyabale show, toilets were excellent and no farr ground made walking round with my 9 year old much more enjoyable (for me!)

Wouldn;t bother watching the Spannish display team again... very dull... and soo quiet! Just as the Spanish are very Considerate Lovers, the same can be said for their display team, Considerate... nothing edgy, loud or unnerving, just a slow, quiet steady pace.... except for the god awful music they played...

Everything else though Two Thumbs Fresh from me!