FRIAT 2025 Renewals

[RIAT Air Ops]

Hi All,

Spoken to Wendy this afternoon: Those of you who RSVPed to watch the FRIAT Forum online will receive an email with details on how to access the live stream between 0800-0900 tomorrow. Any issues, give the main DBH number a ring and she'll rectify it. Presentation starts at 1300.

Cheers,
Peter

[FlankerE]

Really gutted that I missed the email with the signup for the FRIAT forum online viewing, I didn't realise it had to be pre-booked. Is there any way to still view it?

[RAF4EVER]

Really gutted that I missed the email with the signup for the FRIAT forum online viewing, I didn't realise it had to be pre-booked. Is there any way to still view it?

Read RIAT Air Ops [Peter ] post, it is right before yours.

[FlankerE]

Really gutted that I missed the email with the signup for the FRIAT forum online viewing, I didn't realise it had to be pre-booked. Is there any way to still view it?

Read RIAT Air Ops [Peter ] post, it is right before yours.

Saw, just didn't know if I would still get access! I did give the number a ring and graciously was able to get a link.

[G-CVIX]

Yes, me too, but no I haven't heard anything more about it being streamed.

Hope you were able to join.

Very enjoyable stream, hopefully something that they'll repeat in future years.

[JW22]

Yes, me too, but no I haven't heard anything more about it being streamed.

Hope you were able to join.

Very enjoyable stream, hopefully something that they'll repeat in future years.

Pity I missed it , did they say when they thought the write up would be out?

[boff180]

For those that aren't FRIAT or missed it, could someone kindly summarise please?

Thanks

[Bodz156]

Some bits I remember:

Paul Atherton spoke for a while about some of the extra hurdles they have to jump, placed by both the USAF & local council. He explained that DBH co-operate in every way with USAF requests/requirement & that he feels the future of RIAT at Fairford is solid, barring any future unforeseen changes obviously. He explained that the government loan from 2020's cancelled event is paid off, no money is owed to anybody anymore. He explained that they have been under pressure to comply ever more with regulations, so less waivers & exemptions are being needed (the stand moving being one of those). Then someone else spoke (whose name I didn't hear) to talk specifically about FRIAT. It is selling well & they expect to be sold out or close to by show start. He also said they expect Saturday to be totally sold out next week, Friday soon after & Sunday by June probably. So that's all good. Peter Reoch then spoke about some aircraft operations stuff. He outlined again the USAF situation, how they can't by policy send aircraft from CONUS for purely airshow appearances etc. He also went into how difficult it currently is with some air arms concentrating on operations especially this year with examples of how the French have cut airshow appearances by half this year compared with 2024, how the RNLAF aren't sending their F-35s anywhere this year (yay!), and a slide showing how much Hungary have cut appearances this year. However he did say he felt we were in a strong position at this stage (around 200 aircraft as of this morning apparently), he thinks we're alright for fast jets, helicopters etc in the flying, & only a bit short this year on display teams. Apparently there were a couple of teams they were working on but they haven't come off (didn't say who). Said some interesting bits about the Czech AF LET-410 that will apparently have to make 4 fuel stops to get over due to flying all the way with it's undercarriage down (pressurisation issue because of the glass nose he said). The big wheel is moving down to the Western end, to encourage people down there, the display datum is to move westwards too, so it's roughly centred still on FRIAT stand. Oh, and he mentioned they were currently about half an hour too long on the flying display....but cancellations will probably sort that out. No news on the Frecce or Finnish Hornet, they aren't bothering them at this time. He did say he expected the Frecce still to come, it being their 65th year...but until they hear news they don't know for sure.

That's about all I can recall, outside of bits that aren't for public consumption. Sure others might be able to add bits I've missed off.

P.S. It's a *possibility* that the area in front of FRIAT that the public will be in on show days may be open for FRIATers on Thursday & Monday....but not confirmed as of yet. But they're looking into it apparently.

[AARDVARK]

Many thanks for the info .. does anyone have access yet to the FRIAT members zome, last year’s password does not seem to work?

[verreli]

Some bits I remember:

Good write up. Thanks.

[rdchawk]

Good information, thank you, interesting to hear they are 30 mins over schedule with very few display teams in the lineup.

[Bodz156]

Another interesting statistic that Air Ops mentioned, of the Air arms that have attended the Air Tattoo & operate the C-130, only 4 have never sent one. That will reduce to 3 this year assuming Germany makes it with their aircraft. I wonder who the remaining 3 are?

[Light Chop]

Another interesting statistic that Air Ops mentioned, of the Air arms that have attended the Air Tattoo & operate the C-130, only 4 have never sent one. That will reduce to 3 this year assuming Germany makes it with their aircraft. I wonder who the remaining 3 are?

Depends if they're including support as technically attending? If not, you could include Morocco along with Japan, India and South Korea.

[Dreadnought]

Many thanks for the info .. does anyone have access yet to the FRIAT members zome, last year’s password does not seem to work?

If you booked FRIAT for this year you should have got an email with the login and password for this year.

[Dreadnought]

Couple of questions regarding yesterday's forum.

How do they know they are about 30 mins over for flying if there are still 9 updates to go?

And is the 200 aircraft number a rough estimate? As from looking at the confirmed aircraft page on RIAT website there is only about 80 -90 aircraft on there at the moment

[Danhaz]

Couple of questions regarding yesterday's forum.

How do they know they are about 30 mins over for flying if there are still 9 updates to go?

And is the 200 aircraft number a rough estimate? As from looking at the confirmed aircraft page on RIAT website there is only about 80 -90 aircraft on there at the moment

You will most likely find that they have been told by X air arm planning to attend with X aircraft for either static or flying, and they will be waiting as they do for written confirmation before confirming to the general public, from my estimates there is probably an hour and a half of flying display left to fill so I am very intrigued to see what else turns up for the flying!

[AARDVARK]

Many thanks for the info .. does anyone have access yet to the FRIAT members zome, last year’s password does not seem to work?

If you booked FRIAT for this year you should have got an email with the login and password for this year.

Thanks , yes i have but cannot seem to locate that info on any of my emails !

[jasonT1981]

Couple of questions regarding yesterday's forum.

How do they know they are about 30 mins over for flying if there are still 9 updates to go?

And is the 200 aircraft number a rough estimate? As from looking at the confirmed aircraft page on RIAT website there is only about 80 -90 aircraft on there at the moment

If I remember right, Peter talked about this in the podcast last year. At this stage, they pretty much know what an air-arm is sending even if they haven't been able to announce it yet. Announcements only happen when the paperwork is done and dusted, but they already know via talks what is being sent usually. Though there are sometimes even surprises to them.

[Jameslw1993]

Some bits I remember:

Paul Atherton spoke for a while about some of the extra hurdles they have to jump, placed by both the USAF & local council. He explained that DBH co-operate in every way with USAF requests/requirement & that he feels the future of RIAT at Fairford is solid, barring any future unforeseen changes obviously. He explained that the government loan from 2020's cancelled event is paid off, no money is owed to anybody anymore. He explained that they have been under pressure to comply ever more with regulations, so less waivers & exemptions are being needed (the stand moving being one of those). Then someone else spoke (whose name I didn't hear) to talk specifically about FRIAT. It is selling well & they expect to be sold out or close to by show start. He also said they expect Saturday to be totally sold out next week, Friday soon after & Sunday by June probably. So that's all good. Peter Reoch then spoke about some aircraft operations stuff. He outlined again the USAF situation, how they can't by policy send aircraft from CONUS for purely airshow appearances etc. He also went into how difficult it currently is with some air arms concentrating on operations especially this year with examples of how the French have cut airshow appearances by half this year compared with 2024, how the RNLAF aren't sending their F-35s anywhere this year (yay!), and a slide showing how much Hungary have cut appearances this year. However he did say he felt we were in a strong position at this stage (around 200 aircraft as of this morning apparently), he thinks we're alright for fast jets, helicopters etc in the flying, & only a bit short this year on display teams. Apparently there were a couple of teams they were working on but they haven't come off (didn't say who). Said some interesting bits about the Czech AF LET-410 that will apparently have to make 4 fuel stops to get over due to flying all the way with it's undercarriage down (pressurisation issue because of the glass nose he said). The big wheel is moving down to the Western end, to encourage people down there, the display datum is to move westwards too, so it's roughly centred still on FRIAT stand. Oh, and he mentioned they were currently about half an hour too long on the flying display....but cancellations will probably sort that out. No news on the Frecce or Finnish Hornet, they aren't bothering them at this time. He did say he expected the Frecce still to come, it being their 65th year...but until they hear news they don't know for sure.

That's about all I can recall, outside of bits that aren't for public consumption. Sure others might be able to add bits I've missed off.

P.S. It's a *possibility* that the area in front of FRIAT that the public will be in on show days may be open for FRIATers on Thursday & Monday....but not confirmed as of yet. But they're looking into it apparently.

Cheers for sharing. Did he mention at all whether having roughly 200 aircraft at this stage is around the norm, or are we behind previous years?

It is interesting to know they've over subscribed the flying display, assuming we get the Apache and Chinook, there's still a few mysteries to look forward to.

Great news the financial situation has been settled, and that Fairford is still a safe venue, only aids the long term plan.

[bobby 1211]

Cheers for sharing. Did he mention at all whether having roughly 200 aircraft at this stage is around the norm, or are we behind previous years?

It is interesting to know they've over subscribed the flying display, assuming we get the Apache and Chinook, there's still a few mysteries to look forward to.

Great news the financial situation has been settled, and that Fairford is still a safe venue, only aids the long term plan.

including the chinook, Apache demo, Czech Gripen and even the PC-9, I was still short by about 1hour.

[Dreadnought]

Many thanks for the info .. does anyone have access yet to the FRIAT members zome, last year’s password does not seem to work?

If you booked FRIAT for this year you should have got an email with the login and password for this year.

Thanks , yes i have but cannot seem to locate that info on any of my emails !

I got my email on the 7th February so try searching around that time if you have not deleted emails failing that just call DBH or ping them an email they are always helpful.

[Dreadnought]

Cheers for sharing. Did he mention at all whether having roughly 200 aircraft at this stage is around the norm, or are we behind previous years?

It is interesting to know they've over subscribed the flying display, assuming we get the Apache and Chinook, there's still a few mysteries to look forward to.

Great news the financial situation has been settled, and that Fairford is still a safe venue, only aids the long term plan.

including the chinook, Apache demo, Czech Gripen and even the PC-9, I was still short by about 1hour.

That's if the Czech Gripen turns up as they did this a few years ago back in 2022 I think said they would send the Gripen depending on operational requirements and it never came, Still I'd be happy to be proved wrong though this year.

[capercaillie]

Another interesting statistic that Air Ops mentioned, of the Air arms that have attended the Air Tattoo & operate the C-130, only 4 have never sent one. That will reduce to 3 this year assuming Germany makes it with their aircraft. I wonder who the remaining 3 are?

How much do I earn as breach of copyright taking it from my quiz I set on the wishlist thread in August of last year, where Air Ops himself produced the final missing answer? I'll take any form of bribe, Friday evening static walk of the western end for example.

[AndyJohn68]

Good information, thank you, interesting to hear they are 30 mins over schedule with very few display teams in the lineup.

Yes, this seems to suggest a number of flying items still to be announced.

[Dreadnought]

Good information, thank you, interesting to hear they are 30 mins over schedule with very few display teams in the lineup.

Yes, this seems to suggest a number of flying items still to be announced.

They mentioned flypasts in an earlier update and none have been announced so far so that could fall into that category at the moment, We will just have to wait and see what Thursday brings.