RIAT 24: Thoughts & Feedback

[wdg]

I did Wednesday and Thursday at P&V East and the rest of the days in FRIAT. I think it was a very strong lineup this year and on the whole a very good show.

There were a few negatives for me, so I'll start with them.
* The bag checks at P&V were a bit of a lottery, some of the lines moved very quickly and others very, very slowly as they wanted to check every corner of every pocket of every tiny little bag. Not that this is a bad thing, but it is disappointing to see people arrive significantly after you and get through before you because they got lucky with a less attentive checker
* The catering prices are ridiculous. I don't blame the vendors themselves, I suspect RIAT are charging them so much for a pitch that they have to charge this to make any money on it. I saw someone go up for a fairly basic cheeseburger and some chips and have barely any change from a £20 note - there's no value for money there so I'm just going to keep bringing my own food in with me
* The pacing of the flying display seemed a little unbalanced. I'm not sure if the intention was to give enthusiasts some kind of lunch break by scheduling a lot of the display teams and slower acts in the middle of the programme, but I've always thought this kind of display works better when scheduled in between the more exciting acts to give a change of pace. Grouping it all together just made some of the displays that I would usually have enjoyed drag on a bit.
* The FRIAT bag drop was badly understaffed, especially given how much it was being touted as a way to get in early (leave your bags in FRIAT and skip the bag checks in the morning) now we no longer have the dedicated entrance at Blue.
* But the biggest, biggest gripe I have is about the new screens. The problem isn't actually the screens themselves, but whenever they showed something on the screens they played the audio across the entire showground, regardless of whether there was a screen around or not. And they kept playing the same videos again and again and again and again and again and again. I think I heard the satellite collision one at least ten times in the space of two hours while wandering around the statics on Sunday morning, and don't get me started on the Red Arrows one (for something supposedly sponsored by a company who associate themselves with precision, it felt like an absolute sledgehammer).


In terms of positives:
* In spite of some of the forecasts leading up to the show, the weather more or less held out all week - Saturday didn't have the greatest conditions but I think everything that was serviceable was still able to fly and the rain mostly held off. After the ridiculously hot days of 2022 and last year's unrelentingly miserable conditions, it was nice to have a mixture of different skies and nothing too extreme.
* Probably the busiest Wednesday since I started doing arrivals. True, the Thursday felt a bit quieter as a result, but seeing so many highlight aircraft arrive so early was a great start to the week.
* Getting in on the show days was the quickest and easiest I can remember. For all of the comments before the show about how bad it was going to be without the FRIAT queue, the new system was so much better I didn't even miss it. I had no issues getting out either, although having heard some horror stories about others getting out of the car parks on Saturday I consider myself very lucky there.
* A great variety of aircraft both in the flying display and on the ground. We often take this for granted at RIAT, but considering we saw U-2s, F-15s, an F-18, Harriers, multiple F-16s and Gripens in the air, with more of the above plus four Phantoms, Tornados, F-5s, a Mirage, multiple C-17s and much more on static; there are few other shows where you will see so many aircraft of so many different types.
* There were also some very nice historical items, particularly the Alize and Firecat
* The Viper Line. Very well executed, a throwback to shows sadly before my time, and a great opportunity to celebrate such an iconic aircraft. Parking the flying display F-16s just the other side of the fence to continue the line was also a nice touch.
* The Friday arrivals had a similar feel to 2022, with the hour after the display ended packed with interesting and exotic types - the arrival of the Phantoms being a particular highlight.
* Seeing some of the static display participants in the flypast on Friday before they parked up was a great addition, I'm sure it would have been very welcome for anyone who didn't see them arrive, and for the rest of us another opportunity to see them in the air.
* The Saturday and Sunday flying programmes, while having broadly the same content, mixed up the running order more than I remember in previous years. This still gives some variety for people attending both days (seeing different displays in different light), but doesn't leave anyone feeling short-changed if some displays are only on one day or the other (weather and serviceability permitting).
* The effort put in by the Danish Air Force to make sure their F-16 display could go ahead on the Saturday an the Sunday, flying in a replacement jet after both the display aircraft and the two-seater they brought for the static went tech
* On a related note, the efforts by the display organisers to change around the flying programme - adding the Danish F-16 back in on the Saturday, getting the F-15 in early on the Saturday when the weather wasn't too terrible and then giving us two F-15 displays on the Sunday to make up for the Saturday one not being the full routine. I'm sure in years gone by the schedule used to be set in stone and if anything missed its slot then that was that, it is great to see a more flexible approach taken these days.

[BrawlerO]

I attended on Friday and Saturday, both being very different experiences.

Friday was probably my favourite ever RIAT day since I started attending.
Loved getting the chance to see some of the static items in the excellent flypast and the post flying display arrivals, especially the phantoms. The Qatari F-15, German Typhoon, Danish F-16, F-18, Harrier and U2- what a great lineup. It was too hot for viewing the static so left that to Saturday.
The only downside was the park and ride from Swindon, first and last time I’ll bother with that.

Saturday was a chance to see the static and think the organisers did a great job with the viper lineup.
After a “wow” Friday, Saturday seemed very flat in comparison and not just the displays. The pacing seemed off and the lunch period seemed to drag. I think I’ve seen enough hawks for a few years now. I enjoyed the Norwegian team though.
I left after the F35 and slowly wandered to the exit with some final static viewing en-route, admiring the vipers once again.

Overall the organisers did a great job attracting the acts they did given the current climate and should be congratulated.
They have a lot to live up to in 2025.

[UKTopgun]

Some think the 12 to 2 pm slot is too slow and drags on with samey slower acts while others want a lunch period that's quieter for a chance for loo or lunch! They are damned if they do and damned if they don't!

In the end I held out loo-wise 9:30am to 5:30pm... Impressive I thought

[FarnboroJohn]

We attended Saturday only so were unlucky with the weather but it wasn't so bad as to stop the show or force us to take cover. Only a short period of showery rain.

Cons

Where the "alternate Blue route" that we were sent on due to temporary congestion on the main one fed back into the main route, the marshal was an incompetent: in such circumstances you feed equal and fairly sizeable numbers through because a queue takes time to get moving and everyone should have equal opportunity, but he was letting through about 30:2 causing huge back up on the alternate.
Once past him we were in very quickly but he lost us and everyone else dispatched to the alternate queue a full hour. Idiot.

Cherry picker at the far end of the F-16 line during the show. No excuse for this, do it after hours when the punters have gone.

Another vote from us against the speaker wires blocking everyone not at the front.

Long long queue for "ordinary" food while exotics had no custom. Proportion of outlets is just wrong. Also, stopping bacon butties at 1030? The reason so many people are asking is because that's what they want, fools.... we saw a number of people walk away when they couldn't have bacon butties so that was lost sales. Never mind your "policy", the customer is always right. All day bacon butties next year!

Pros:

Getting in was really easy (Blue gate) with short queues moving fast.

F-16 line and the gantry, great idea. One place where there was good co-operation between people desperate to get their photos too, which was nice.

No ropes round the B-52.

Flying pros:

F-15QA

Danish F-16, pity the display jet broke but these things happen. It was nicely parked at the West end.

RAF Typhoon - flat show Saturday so lots of topsides. Not great light of course!

Finnish Hawks and the anniversary flypast. Not sure we needed the solo as well.

The RCAF Hornet/Spitfire flypast and especially the Hornet break. Hornet solo too!


Full marks to the team, minor niggles only and looking forward to next year's B-29/B-52 formation while I woof a bacon butty.

[binbrook87]

I posted some thoughts elsewhere so I'll just quickly sum up here:

Pros
Static excellent...best in many years, aprons felt full. Highlights being the F-16 line, the Moroccans and Romanians being the standout of these. F-4s, F-5s, A-4, Qinetiq park, Canadian and Qatar parks, Serbian first time appearance, more heavies than I remember seeing in recent years
Loads of toilets and food outlets so plenty of choice
P&V west on Monday...nice to see more aircraft staying low or dipping wings, great to see loop used for departures and arrivals on Monday too
Traffic in and out on Saturday no issues.
Security check before ticket check great idea and in my case worked well as I was on the base by 7.45am

Cons
Saturday flying display felt flat with no standout items (so I thought). Qatar F-15 was disappointing but was this due to weather
Shame the NATO flypast didn't happen over the weekend. If Fridays shorter display is going to contain a much different programme with some standout items not to be seen over the weekend then I'm not sure I want to buy tickets for 2 show days in order to see everything. I think the three days should be more or less the same programme if possible?
Food prices too expensive!
Too many corporate marquees squeezing more and more general public viewing areas at the crowd line to a minimum

Summary
Brilliant show...best I can remember in recent times. I'd love to see the F-16 lineup repeated even if it contains 'similar' or themed aircraft rather than identical aircraft. Lines of aircraft just have more impact in my opinion

[AARDVARK]

See all the USAF Demo teams were at Oshkosh over the weekend (maybe with the exception of C17), great group flypast, but i thought there was supposed to be a policy of only 1 or 2 demo teams at one show?
My point is the rules they have imposed seem to be open to conjecture and if I have any criticism or feedback of the show is the DOD policy needs to be reviewed to allow demo teams to perform at overseas shows, especially those with significant connections with the US, even if it’s to say thank you to the many USAF personnel based in the UK/Europe!
But what do i know, at least they allowed the resident U2 to display this year!

[Professor_M]

An excellent show with so many highlights, both in the static and flying displays - I would only be repeating what has already been said by others if I was to list them off one by one, but it was an excellent, varied assortment of types.

My criticism: the journey in and out of the car parks. Traffic coming out was no better than coming in - a scrum in the car parks and long queues not helped by people turning right onto main roads (that could have been prevented). The parking marshalls were more interested in picking daisies and watching the ensuing chaos than actually marshalling the traffic - they need to be more proactive.

The customer is always right.

Sadly too many people seem to have forgotten this, the importance of service and doing jobs to the highest possible standards - well said!

[Osprey]

I've been going to IAT /RIAT for almost 45 years and I can honestly say this show was in my humble opinion the best for maybe the last 15-20 years particularly for die-hard enthusiasts and photographer's like myself. Well done Peter and all at DBH.
I do however have one big moan and that is about queue jumping at P&V west. This comes in 2 forms.
1. People arriving late then walking past everyone to find someone near front of queue that they vaguely recognise or haven't seen for the last 12 months thus sticking 2 fingers up to all the others patiently waiting to get in for the last 1 1/2 hours.
2. Most people like myself pay for P&V tickets in advance and In doing so put money into the RIAT coffers. Why is it then after I've queued up for 90 mins do the P&V staff let a stampede of people who haven't bought tickets rush to the front of the queue to buy tickets and go straight in again bypassing 100s of folks queuing patiently ?. Rant over.
In short a brilliant show , roll on 2025.

[Morgangalley]

My review is very different from most on here, not in a negative way, but from an experience perspective. But as it’s not to the interest of most on here, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet! I did RIAT this year on a cadet camp meaning I was technically on site from Thursday to Tuesday! The show from a cadet pov is frankly incredible but I still have similar things to say as if I was a paying member of the public!


Flying display was the best I’ve seen in my 5 RIAT streak. (Not much to go off I know) highlights being:
F-15, holy bad word I was gobsmacked!
RDAF f-16, very tight and in your face, (props to them for their dedication not to follow last years disappointment)
Patrouille suisse, my new fav national team!
RAF typhoon, was very impressed and music choices were superb.
U-2, incredible, going 16 years (my age) without seeing one airworthy to see it over 6 times in the space of 5 days!
F-35, massive improvement, just a shame it’s the humpback version that the mod bought!
All 3 special flypasts were unique in their own right but the standout for me was the reds and suisse, very heartwarming, for those who are over 60 years old . Although I can’t help but feel a little robbed of the hawk flypast on Saturday…
The spartan: no words…

Static displays were i must say incredibly well thought out! Having nations like Qatar and Canada with sizeable contributions have their own area I think is a great idea especially for those who specifically want to see those aircraft! And the viper line, wow as someone who is quite possibly the youngest person on this forum, that was the first time I had seen a lineup of aircrsft of the same name at that scale and some great photos were taken! The classic/aging jets were incredible this year, 4 tornados (the unannounced 3rd tornado), skyhawk, mirage, 4 phantoms and freedom fighters were amazing to me!

Side note: I was incredibly privileged to be allowed to go past the barriers to get photos up close of the red arrows, Canadian hornet, German and raf eurofighters etc and that is something I will always treasure! Massive thankyou to the red arrows ground crew for that opportunity!

I can’t talk about the arrival, and departure to the show as I didn’t have to deal with that but I’m hearing mixed reviews!

I only have a few cons from my experience but through no fault of anyone who works for RIAT or the participating nations!

Similar con as 2023, the lack of a two ship jet tactical display, Couteau delta, alca pair, Austrian QRA etc I felt was missed slightly. Again through no fault of DBH but I think some of those demonstrations are as or more exciting then some incredibly flown solo routines or aerobatic teams!

The minimal Eastern European aircraft! It’s a sign of the times but it was definitely felt this year with a singular mi-8 being the sole Russian/ex soviet machinery. When you compare it to the fitter, mi-171 and an-26 we had last year… but it’s to be expected from a show of this time!

The cancellation of the two fast jets I was most excited to see, this one is more personal but both tiger demo team (the f-16 I was most looking forward to seeing (through completely understandable reasons)) and the Hungarian gripen (my favourite gripen display) both cancelling was a real shame!

And one very minor gripe as a first time photographer, how come the Swedish gripen used smokewinders on Saturday only? Is it to do with the fighter wing change to f21?

Overall a fantastic show and my favourite of the ones I have attended and 2025 has a tough year to beat! I’m extremely excited for the Bulgarian frogfoot display and Serbian fighters!

[CWS]

Just completed the survey they sent out and got my tickets for next year. Quite worrying how much of the survey is not really about aircraft. I tried putting in that survey how irrelevant a lot of that was to me. It is an airshow, the best and biggest there is. I don't care about what more shopping would I like to see?! None! Maybe some people on here do care about live entertainment, car experiences etc but not for me. I'm only here for the fantastic air show. I get there has to be a base level of stuff but it seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

On a separate note .. that was genuinely one of the best times I've had, and a fantastic airshow, one of the best in years. I now get why a lot of you do the multiple days. The Friday this year is one of the best days I've had at any airshow. Properly got the post Riat blues! Doing 4 days instead of 1 has made it somehow a level above what I've always known.

[Sneezy24]

Just got an email titled FRIAT tell us what you think, only to find it is the RIAT (not FRIAT) survey which I have already done!

[wdg]

Just got an email titled FRIAT tell us what you think, only to find it is the RIAT (not FRIAT) survey which I have already done!

I had one with the same title. There were some generic questions but also some specific to FRIAT, including the following:

24. With the FRIAT enclosure moving what are your main concerns with?
* Grandstand location
* General public viewing are in-between the grandstand and reserved FRIAT crowd line
* Other

With dedicated spaces to type answers next to all three

[Berf]

Just completed the survey they sent out and got my tickets for next year. Quite worrying how much of the survey is not really about aircraft. I tried putting in that survey how irrelevant a lot of that was to me. It is an airshow, the best and biggest there is. I don't care about what more shopping would I like to see?! None! Maybe some people on here do care about live entertainment, car experiences etc but not for me. I'm only here for the fantastic air show. I get there has to be a base level of stuff but it seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

On a separate note .. that was genuinely one of the best times I've had, and a fantastic airshow, one of the best in years. I now get why a lot of you do the multiple days. The Friday this year is one of the best days I've had at any airshow. Properly got the post Riat blues! Doing 4 days instead of 1 has made it somehow a level above what I've always known.

Yes I put several times it's an airshow I don't need shopping experiences

[rockfordstone]

Just got an email titled FRIAT tell us what you think, only to find it is the RIAT (not FRIAT) survey which I have already done!

I had one with the same title. There were some generic questions but also some specific to FRIAT, including the following:

24. With the FRIAT enclosure moving what are your main concerns with?
* Grandstand location
* General public viewing are in-between the grandstand and reserved FRIAT crowd line
* Other

With dedicated spaces to type answers next to all three

i wrote lots of words in those comment boxes.....

[Sneezy24]

Just got an email titled FRIAT tell us what you think, only to find it is the RIAT (not FRIAT) survey which I have already done!

I had one with the same title. There were some generic questions but also some specific to FRIAT, including the following:

24. With the FRIAT enclosure moving what are your main concerns with?
* Grandstand location
* General public viewing are in-between the grandstand and reserved FRIAT crowd line
* Other

With dedicated spaces to type answers next to all three

I gave up too early!

I'll have another go, thanks!

[capercaillie]

A 15 minute survey it says? Really.

Not if you want to get points across!

My tuppence worth added - lets hope everyone's comments count for something.

[capercaillie]

Just completed the survey they sent out and got my tickets for next year. Quite worrying how much of the survey is not really about aircraft. I tried putting in that survey how irrelevant a lot of that was to me. It is an airshow, the best and biggest there is. I don't care about what more shopping would I like to see?! None! Maybe some people on here do care about live entertainment, car experiences etc but not for me. I'm only here for the fantastic air show. I get there has to be a base level of stuff but it seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

On a separate note .. that was genuinely one of the best times I've had, and a fantastic airshow, one of the best in years. I now get why a lot of you do the multiple days. The Friday this year is one of the best days I've had at any airshow. Properly got the post Riat blues! Doing 4 days instead of 1 has made it somehow a level above what I've always known.

Yes I put several times it's an airshow I don't need shopping experiences

Snap. Its an airshow, I don't go there for children's clothing and footwear. Unreal.

[Bodz156]

A 15 minute survey it says? Really.

Not if you want to get points across!

My tuppence worth added - lets hope everyone's comments count for something.

Took me the best part of an hour to fill in this lunchtime....

I don't imagine for a second any of what I've said will make the slightest difference tbh, I think the event is increasingly being driven by 'managers' rather than aviation enthusiasts now. Of course there are some still there, but I don't think they hold as much sway as maybe they used to.

The question about increasing their focus on 'shopping' gives it away for me....I told them I don't ask the Trafford Centre to hold an air display to attract me there, so likewise I don't ask for 'shopping opportunities' at RIAT.

[CWS]

It's such a shame to be thinking this way, but it needs to be said. I had a blast this airshow, thought it was close to a 10/10 in modern times. But I just don't like how the future is looking. The actual aviation side of things is looking fantastic, arguably getting stronger than some shows in the last decade. But the 'other' bits worry me.

[JMC]

I mean look at this year. Pet food, wine tasting, cheese tasting, jewellery!

Also did anyone see the guy at the U2 stand, he must have stood there for about 6 hours yelling 'come and get your patches, yes sir I know you want one'.

[clearstone]

It's such a shame to be thinking this way, but it needs to be said. I had a blast this airshow, thought it was close to a 10/10 in modern times. But I just don't like how the future is looking. The actual aviation side of things is looking fantastic, arguably getting stronger than some shows in the last decade. But the 'other' bits worry me.

You must be quite glad you missed RIAT in the 1990's when FRIAT backed on to a Craft Fayre and there were about five times the number of traders there are now. Plus they had arena entertainment and street artists wandering the showground!

Plus nearly all the car parking was squeezed onto the grass areas.

[Tommy]

I was saying to some of the guys; if you look at the aviation element of RIAT, it’s really really strong. As strong as ever, relative to how the world is these days. Likewise, the volunteers are lovely and passionate as ever. Love that.

But for a lot of the other parts (including FRIAT, which is probably having an effect), there’s a greasy sort of “Deloitte” feel to it. Food prices are higher than ever, AI ads, a website that feels quite cheap, screens (themselves a good idea) with an RAF advert between every act. The show seems to have things that feel like some consultant in a dim office on a rainy Tuesday afternoon dreamt up.

I’m sorry to say that I don’t trust RIAT not to farm out the use of those screens to other adverts, or to put another exclusive chalet in the place of FRIAT. I hope I’m wrong,

When they’re challenged (both on the FRIAT 2022 price increase news, and the stand relocation this year), we get overly corporatised responses that don’t actually say anything.

As I say, except for the aviation part (which, thank goodness, is the majority part), the show feels a bit more corporate, and a bit more money-grubby than it used to.

Perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps it’s just me, or perhaps my view is tainted as a FRIAT member, but it was something I couldn’t shake whilst walking around the show this year. If, indeed, I am wrong, and it is just the FRIAT news, then it’s an example of not dropping that sort of news 10 days out from the show, which they’ve done twice now.

[CJS]

I've been going since 2007 and I honestly don't think I've noticed an increase in shopping, trade etc... I'm not saying there hasn't been an increase, just that I've ignored it if there has been. It hasn't detracted from my experience (I once actually bought something too!).

If (and I have no way of knowing if this is the case or not) the trade stands and shopping outlets do not take away from the flying and static displays, in terms of numbers and quality, then I can't see how it's a problem to be honest.

I imagine the traders pay considerable sums to be there over the weekend, which help DBH generate more funding. On the face of it, that's a win/win surely? You have fudge stalls to keep the younguns at bay (briefly!) and extra money to pay for a JP in the display next year

It will have been carefully thought out I am sure, to maximise income and revenue for DBH, which in turn goes back in to next year's show.

Maybe I'm over simplifying it?

2 points though
- the screens that made an appearance this year added nothing for me to the experience. I'd be interested to know the thinking behind them, because I'm not really sure anyone thought they were worth having.

- food prices are ridiculous, but then they are also supply / demand driven aren't they. If they were actually too high, no one would buy and therefore they'd have to be lower next time. Unfortunately when people are prepared to spend £3.50 on an ice cream then the vendors will charge that (at least) again the next time.

DBH's approach to standardising the prices made sense, and I don't know why that ever changed.

[Tommy]

I suppose supply and demand isn’t so simple when supply is artificially limited though.

If it’s 25 degrees and you’ve run out of food, its difficult not to pay £10 for a very average bratwurst hotdog, and £3.00 for a cold can of something to go with it if those are the options. Especially if you’ve got hungry and tired kids or whatever.

(Yes, I know there are free water bowsers)

[CWS]

It's such a shame to be thinking this way, but it needs to be said. I had a blast this airshow, thought it was close to a 10/10 in modern times. But I just don't like how the future is looking. The actual aviation side of things is looking fantastic, arguably getting stronger than some shows in the last decade. But the 'other' bits worry me.

You must be quite glad you missed RIAT in the 1990's when FRIAT backed on to a Craft Fayre and there were about five times the number of traders there are now. Plus they had arena entertainment and street artists wandering the showground!

Plus nearly all the car parking was squeezed onto the grass areas.

Yeah I know it’s always been a thing. I remember as a kid seeing the funfair and stuff. Like I said earlier I get it has to be there. It’s more just a mix of that survey being about mostly non aviation stuff. And the seemingly never ending new enclosures that are popping up. The actual aviation air show side is the strongest I think it’s been in years.