FRIAT 2025 Renewals

[Wrexham Mackem]

The transport reference just looks like a typo to me, maybe something left over from an edit. A red herring I think.

[vulcan57]

The transport reference just looks like a typo to me, maybe something left over from an edit. A red herring I think.

Or maybe to book the shuttle bus for Fri,Sat and Sun like we had to this year.

[Airwolfhound]

Glad I looked at this thread, my FRIAT email had gone into my spam folder and so hadn't spotted it.

From what I understand, a further email will be sent shortly to confirm my reservation (which I assume will be what is carried over from last year) and as I don't want to change anything (sorry Dan and Becca lol) I will just pay as soon as I get the email.

I have added their address to my safe list so hopefully wont go to my spam folder again, but will check each day just in case

[Wissam24]

On the matter of FRIAT: We're joined by RIAT's Simon Hough, Head of Customer Experience and Peter Reoch, Head of Air Operations to discuss the FRIAT changes.

[Sneezy24]

Just got my email, parted with the cash, printed my ticket.

See ya next year!

BTW, you have to add 'Child's age' to proceed...... I just entered -1 and it was happy!
(My kids are 38 and 40 and are not coming to RIAT!)

[frank]

Am I interpreting this correctly - I can reserve my seat now and can hold off payment until end of January.
FRIAT email says the following
"Reserved FRIAT seats will be held until midnight on Sunday 2nd February for you to make payment.  After this date, all reserved seats not yet paid for will be released and put on general sale via the website."

[iainpeden]

"If you are happy with your reserved seat and you do not need to make any changes to your order, and would like to pay now:

Click on the “Complete Reservation” box in this email
Select “Complete online”
Follow the payment instructions"

Without taking it through to the payment instructions it's unclear. The instruction later on that those making changes have until 02/02/25 to pay suggest you may be correct. Hopefully there's a "pay by date option"

[Tommy]

On the matter of FRIAT: We're joined by RIAT's Simon Hough, Head of Customer Experience and Peter Reoch, Head of Air Operations to discuss the FRIAT changes.

This took a lot of time and effort to organise, and RIAT did this out of hours to accommodate us.

We’d be really grateful to hear what people think (good or bad). We know RIAT watch these forums, and would welcome thoughts from FRIAT customers. Including (especially) suggestions/ideas to improve the package with current limitations in mind. Help RIAT help us.

[G-CVIX]

Really good to hear, you both put various points across very nicely.

I still feel that we got a few politicians answers, but I think it's always going to be that way.

Loved Sam's point about AI which isn't something I'd thought much about but you're absolutely bang on.

Some nice positivity from Peter at the end.

Thanks for the work to get it done!

[frank]

Just got confirmation from Wendy we have until Feb 2nd to pay for reserved FRIAT seats

[iainpeden]

Thanks Frank - that's useful.

With regard to the podcast, some really well targeted questions which answered my queries. I would have liked to hear how they thought the new entrance arrangements worked - both for FRIAT and the public. Great for me but I changed my usual early morning arrival to a bit later so missed the early crowds (on all three days the holding pen had emptied).

I still think there'll be an issue with the public area in front of the FRIAT stand but let's see.

Thanks to all involved (and well done for making sure Wendy got the positive mentions.)

[rockfordstone]

I still think there'll be an issue with the public area in front of the FRIAT stand but let's see.

I forsee ladders or people on steps with massive tripods to film from crowd centre

[capercaillie]

If I'm being brutally honest, Peter could have turned up with any other form of mammalian creature and it would have made no difference to the podcast, as long as it was apologetic for basically "Kris Kris Tofferson!" communications on every aspect of what they've changed up to now without forewarning.

Peter put the points across well, how true it all is and why only now its coming into force, I don't know. Obviously aircraft hitting soft bodies on the crowdline is OK as long as its not a hard stand, not sure how dangerous a plastic chair is, maybe there is a grading scale. he's clearly clued on to the attendees being for the enthusiast mindset though, good lad.

I've still no idea what was gauged from the feedback form other than some folk like to fawn over pilots and others don't. The fact that almost everyone is against the idea of the great unwashed still interjecting between the stand and the front line suggests the idea is a bad one and is going to end in more tears and complaints come July, but they're ploughing on regardless.

But at least you tried and well done for making the efforts in trying to get some answers to some of this mess.

[BrawlerO]

I still think there'll be an issue with the public area in front of the FRIAT stand but let's see.

I agree and I don’t think they really know how it will work yet.

Maybe introduce a basic tier FRIAT package where you don’t get a seat in the grandstand, similar to the Viewing Village ‘garden’?

[bishbashbosh]

First, thank you to everyone involved in the podcast – it was an insightful listen.

The explanation behind relocating the grandstand was well-articulated. Given the previous waiver was unlikely to be renewed, the decision makes sense, even if it’s disappointing. Unfortunately, much of the initial frustration stemmed from the poor and somewhat cryptic communication, which understandably led to mistrust. It’s encouraging to see practical issues, like speaker placement, now being addressed. There was an interesting point raised about the scale of RIAT in relation to the drawings. While a 25-meter wide walkway isn’t exactly narrow, it’s worth noting that this is only about the length of a tennis court. Given that it will now include the benches, adding a couple of extra meters wouldn’t kill them!

Communication challenges seem to be an ongoing issue, as evidenced by the recent renewal emails, which were frankly confusing and had missing urls. Taking a few minutes to refine these messages – even by running them through a tool like ChatGPT – could make a world of difference in clarity.

It’s promising to see they’re open to realistic suggestions for improving FRIAT. I certainly have a few ideas that would cost little and add value, and I look forward to sharing these in the upcoming survey. That said, it’s disappointing that the topic of the dedicated entrance wasn’t discussed. I still don’t understand the reasoning behind its removal. Like the grandstand, I’m sure there’s a valid reason, but the lack of transparency – beyond simply stating “it’s no longer possible” – causes frustration.

It was interesting to hear the suggestion about posting movements on the FRIAT members’ area ahead of time. They actually did this in 2024! The sheet of lies was available online each morning before gates opened, and it was invaluable for planning the day for all of the reasons mentioned. Perhaps they need to communicate that more.

All that considered, I’m still undecided on renewing. For the first time, the show overlaps with the school holidays, so I may have to be elsewhere.

[iainpeden]

I think the removal of the dedicated entrance was a police instruction by the senior commander who had just been on an anti terrorist course based on lessons from the Manchester bombing. Consequently RIAT had no control over the decision. (For all those who'd used it over the years it didn't and doesn't make sense but hey ho.)

I hadn't realised the movements sheet was available every morning so thanks. (I'll still not use it and prefer paper!)

For me, the overlap with school holidays meant I could go! Always frustrating when I was stuck in school on the last Friday desperate to find out what was flying in. Once had XH558 fly over on her way to the show.

[frank]

Just got confirmation from Wendy we have until Feb 2nd to pay for reserved FRIAT seats

I should have added the next line of Wendys email regarding your confirmation process
"Please disregard the reference to 30 minutes, your basket/tickets will be held until 2nd February next year and you can make payment at any time in that period."

[frank]

First, thank you to everyone involved in the podcast – it was an insightful listen.

The explanation behind relocating the grandstand was well-articulated. Given the previous waiver was unlikely to be renewed, the decision makes sense, even if it’s disappointing. Unfortunately, much of the initial frustration stemmed from the poor and somewhat cryptic communication, which understandably led to mistrust. It’s encouraging to see practical issues, like speaker placement, now being addressed. There was an interesting point raised about the scale of RIAT in relation to the drawings. While a 25-meter wide walkway isn’t exactly narrow, it’s worth noting that this is only about the length of a tennis court. Given that it will now include the benches, adding a couple of extra meters wouldn’t kill them!

Exactly my view that evey inch dedicated to FRIAT is grudged by the RIAT Organisers and having the public area in front of the FRIAT stand is still a sore point for me. It isn`t necessary we moved out and they moved into the FRIAT old area, whats the issue.
Will probably buy my tickets grudgingly and see it how it pans out.

[JJC]

Anyone had a link to the available grandstand seats yet?

Their inability to meet a date *they’ve* set is becoming really quite tiresome.

[rockfordstone]

Anyone had a link to the available grandstand seats yet?

Their inability to meet a date *they’ve* set is becoming really quite tiresome.

nope, i ended up just booking my original seat

[clearstone]

Anyone had a link to the available grandstand seats yet?

Their inability to meet a date *they’ve* set is becoming really quite tiresome.

If you wish to make any changes to the seats that are currently held for you, do nothing just now:

w/c 18th November an email will be sent out to all FRIAT renewals not yet paid. This will have a link to the FRIAT grandstand where you will be able to see which seats are available
Contact me on friat@rafcte.com with the seats you wish to book, and a new booking link will be sent out to you

To be fair, they say they will send an email the week commencing the 18th November. It is only the 19th today so they have 3 and bit more days of the working week yet.

[Domvickery]

Just had my email through, there's no seat available higher than row J

I 100% bet after February there'll be loads of seats become free which is annoying as I wanted to change my seat for further to the right of the stand

[Dom33]

Just got the email with the grandstand link : only standard seats are available. This is strange as I believe that all blue/green seats are NOT booked at this time, isn't it ?

[iainpeden]

Even stranger - the seat I have had for a few years (H78) (and intend to add one to as SWIMBO has agreed to break her RIAT duck) is unavailable.

[microlight]

Anybody else struggling to work the grandstand plan , I don't see any seat numbers when supposedly hovering over the seats , they all seem to be more or less one colour and inactive