RIAT 2022 Discussion Thread

[bobby 1211]

Thats the Boeing 757, B-52, nh90 and saab 105 gone from the flying display now. At this rate we might not need the flying display extension hopefully no more cancellations tomorrow
Can't forget the Wildcat which went from flying to static too.

[Jameslw1993]

Thats the Boeing 757, B-52, nh90 and saab 105 gone from the flying display now. At this rate we might not need the flying display extension hopefully no more cancellations tomorrow
Can't forget the Wildcat which went from flying to static too.

Yeah, they can probably start at 10 like normal now.

[rdchawk]

Blimey the 757 was confirmed for 1 week! Can't really have a go about that one.

[JJC]

Sk.60 cancellation is a big loss. Was really looking forwards to them.

Seems like an odd type to pull out so last-minute.

Roll on tomorrow! I’ll be at West for the first time.

EDIT: also no Lancaster on Friday?!

[AARDVARK]

How about x4 Skyhawks

[bobby 1211]

They had no space for civilian displays on the weekend, now they do. Surprise update tomorrow ?

[Bradley97]

Are we expecting a lot more arrivals tomorrow compared to today? Seemed very stop start today

[cg_341]

Yep that's normally how it goes.

[UKAirshowTour]

Definitely there is a lot going to go on tomorrow

[Mr Benn]

Why are two (what could be considered star items) at the beginning of each show day?

I know what you mean, i don't usually get into the showground until 10 never mind anywhere near the flightline. Was gutted to see the Spanish EF-18 is on second. Really bad bit of planning there, you'd of thought something like the PC-7 team would be a better opener and give everyone that extra 30 mins to get in.

Agree . Surely better to have had the Reds in the 11:45 slot. That would take the pressure off having everybody trying to to make sure they get in early, as like it or not they are the biggest draw for the family type crowd. When theyre on in the afternoon, many leave after seeing them, so maybe come midday on Saturday who knows if that will happen this year. Good to know the listing though as it helps people plan the day better.

[iainpeden]

They usually have a fast jet early in the display, maybe something to ask Peter once the dust has settled.

[ted633]

Display timings to me look fairly normal. There usually is a couple of fast jets at the start, a 'quieter' lunch period and ending on a display team or jet.
Only thing that is different, as others have said, is the timing of the Red Arrows (usually about 1400).

[paulb1973]

Watched the live stream of planes TV today. And I noticed some serious new hangers being build. Just opposite the FRIAT grandstand I think. And the old hanger really looked a bit tacky.
The FRIAT grandstand itself has been moved a bit more to the west in my opinion. Or is that just an impression.....

What are those new hangars being built for? (..aircraft I suppose!)

[JMC]

The reason I said the Italian Typhoon is one of the stars is because 2019’s display was probably the best Tiffie display i’ve ever seen!

[coanda]

The Hangars are being built to cater for expansion of flying ops over time, for more than one type I believe. There was a bit of a re-shuffle of assets in USAFE, but I think the re-shuffle got reshuffled again at least once - and that was before Ukraine.

[richyrara]

Can anyone advise what traffic is usually like on a Friday morning?

[Andyperkins]

Can anyone advise what traffic is usually like on a Friday morning?

Getting in it’s less troublesome than the weekend which is to be expected but in turn as it’s a work day you don’t want to hit rush hour traffic.

I will personally be leaving Bristol at about 7am and hoping to arrive before 9 so can have a few hours to walk the static in the cooler morning air, find a spot to watch the show then sit down and enjoy and I won’t be making the mistake of leaving once the official displays are over as I did that in 2018 and missed the Super Hornet practise display.

[richyrara]

Can anyone advise what traffic is usually like on a Friday morning?

Getting in it’s less troublesome than the weekend which is to be expected but in turn as it’s a work day you don’t want to hit rush hour traffic.

I will personally be leaving Bristol at about 7am and hoping to arrive before 9 so can have a few hours to walk the static in the cooler morning air, find a spot to watch the show then sit down and enjoy and I won’t be making the mistake of leaving once the official displays are over as I did that in 2018 and missed the Super Hornet practise display.

Thanks, I will be travelling from Bristol too, hoping for a mid morning arrival hence not so early as a weekend

[JMC]

It won’t happen, but I wish that the Heritage F-15 (I assume this will be the aircraft they send) were able to do a few flypasts on the weekend as opposed to being on static, what a beauty!

[jasonT1981]

Travelling from Bristol too, I plan to be there for gates opening on Friday so I can do a good bit of the static before 11am. Meaning Saturday I only have to do the Green zone, and Sunday arrive just as the show starts (due to trains from Bristol not getting to Swindon until 9am)

[JMC]

Regretting not buying my train tickets in advance 54 pound return christ almighty! Going to miss the opening acts on Sunday due to the first train not getting in till 10:04 as well! (When I checked GWR a while back it showed this date having an earlier train, and that’s vanished)

[JMC]

Probably the wrong topic but worth a shot is anyone driving down/up/sideways on the Sunday from London area that has a spare seat? Will of course contribute for fuel!

[Pat Murphy]

Well a mixed bag today. It looked like a Civvy Bizjet meet for a while with a few Pilatexans throw in, but then the Luftwaffe Tonkas arrived....and then some!! If I'm honest, it finished up a quieter day than expected with the already noted cancellations, but nothing is confirmed until it lands etc etc...
The main thing thing today, above all else, was 3 years of catch ups with familiar faces sometimes only seen at RIAT, and putting new faces to names seen but not known. It's been far too long since we did this and the chat and laughs flowed freely.
Big up to Dave, Ryan, Andy, Nige Watson and Family (Up The Mackems!!) and of course, no RIAT would be complete without my mate of long standing "H The Lurker" Particular mention goes to the entertainment provided by the lads at the front corner by the FOD Check. Anyone else got a shedload of pictures of that Yellow Hat??

On to Thursday. Sun cream ready, Batteries charged, cards cleared, Camera bag packed, butties and water in the fridge.
Hoping for a day of No Scrubs, Sunshine, a few surprises and maybe that gorgeous F15 Paint Job that's appeared at The Heath......
Enjoy everyone.....
Pat

[Hog]

A Surprise B-1 flypast would have been very nice after the B-52 cancellation but it is highly unlikely - the show line up is still very impressive I think a fantastic job has been done by all involved. Roll on Sunday :>)

[grant_w]

Can anyone tell me the airfield capacity for Friday and the weekend please?