RIAT 2024 - discuss most things thread

[CJS]

Well, we at least waited until after the 2023 show to start the 2024 thread, but here ya go...

19-21 July 2024
50 years of the F-16
More importantly, 70 years since the first flight of the Jet Provost...

'Ticket upgrades selling fast' apparently, and super-duper-wuper early bird tickets now on sale.

[adethorne]

70 years from first Hercules flight and 70 year anniversary of D day, good be good themes also

[jasonT1981]

Looking forward to it, but I think I will only do Saturday and Sunday. As much as I enjoy the Friday, its too much to do all 3 days with the travelling involved. It just tires me too much.

[Skylinerworld]

I've booked departures day, first time trying it! Not a clue which side to choose...

[DeltaPapa]

Hi can anyone help please. I would like to take my disabled brother to RIAT next year, he can walk a 20 -30 yards but will need his buggy to get around on. I see the disabled enclosure is in the Blue area but it says the Blue carpark is not suitable for the disabled. Can anyone tell me where the disabled parking is as I can't seem to find it on the show map? Also if we buy tickets for other enclosures with stands do you get a clear view or does the canopy (if they have one) restrict the higher viewing?

[CJS]

Disabled parking is on the hard standing at green (western) end. There's no canopy on the grandstand so your view will be fine from the viewing village and all the enclosures have open areas at the front for uninhibited views of the flying.

You'll love it

[iainpeden]

The main disabled viewing area is by the FRIAT stand on the centreline; the route to it is on a hard trackway, whereas for other areas you need to go over grass which is uncut and bumpy.

On another note, I booked my accommodation (Friday to Sunday night) yesterday. The two places I checked in Cirencester last week had increased prices by 50% when I got round to booking yesterday. Travel lodge and premier inn prices not out yet.

[Wes_Howes]

I've booked departures day, first time trying it! Not a clue which side to choose...

It really depends on what you want out of it, if you just want to see the action, then the Eastern end this year was better as there didn't appear to be much keeping low for P&V West.

[rdchawk]

Well, we at least waited until after the 2023 show to start the 2024 thread, but here ya go...

19-21 July 2024
50 years of the F-16
More importantly, 70 years since the first flight of the Jet Provost...

'Ticket upgrades selling fast' apparently, and super-duper-wuper early bird tickets now on sale.

Would probably add 60th season of the Red Arrows for 2024

[tankbuster]

what is a viewing village PREMIUM grandstand seat as opposed to a normal seat. How is that garden tickets are more than grandstand tickets when grandstand users have the run of the garden anyway

[rdchawk]

what is a viewing village PREMIUM grandstand seat as opposed to a normal seat. How is that garden tickets are more than grandstand tickets when grandstand users have the run of the garden anyway

Apparently Top Row, by Aisle and left hand side seats are premium

[Has14]

Went to RIAT for the first time this year, even though we are local. Went on the Friday and absolutely loved it even though we got soaked though. Already bought tickets for P&V for Wed, Thurs & Monday. Waiting to see if I can convince the other half to do 2 days next year.

We were in the Viewing Village Garden which I think we will look to book again. Are there any other enclosures that people would recommend? There was very limited info on the RIAT website when booking this year.

[rdchawk]

Went to RIAT for the first time this year, even though we are local. Went on the Friday and absolutely loved it even though we got soaked though. Already bought tickets for P&V for Wed, Thurs & Monday. Waiting to see if I can convince the other half to do 2 days next year.

We were in the Viewing Village Garden which I think we will look to book again. Are there any other enclosures that people would recommend? There was very limited info on the RIAT website when booking this year.

you might've been better waiting for FRIAT prices/packages

[Skyflash]

Possible themes for next year:

- NATO 75th (this one surely an absolute stick-on - perhaps the show's main operational theme...?)
- Herc 70th
- Hawk 50th - perhaps coupled with the Red Arrows 60th
- F-16 50th
- D-Day 80th

[iainpeden]

Would probably add 60th season of the Red Arrows for 2024

Hmmm, after the embarrassing asymmetrical display on Saturday with only 7 jets, the well documented issues last year and, in my opinion, being a clear 4th best of the jet teams on display this weekend - and that’s without the Frecce,the Patrouille, The Suisse and the Black Eagles maybe 2024 is the season to get back to a nine and then disband.

[Mortimus]

Would probably add 60th season of the Red Arrows for 2024

On that subject, does anyone know how many airworthy Gnats there are in the UK these days? Wikipedia says 4 - but it's wikipedia!

A Yellowjack and Red Arrows Gnat flying in formation with the current Reds would be well worth seeing.

[rdchawk]

Would probably add 60th season of the Red Arrows for 2024

Hmmm, after the embarrassing asymmetrical display on Saturday with only 7 jets, the well documented issues last year and, in my opinion, being a clear 4th best of the jet teams on display this weekend - and that’s without the Frecce,the Patrouille, The Suisse and the Black Eagles maybe 2024 is the season to get back to a nine and then disband.

Believe Red10 confirmed was going to be back to 9 aircraft next season.

[rdchawk]

Would probably add 60th season of the Red Arrows for 2024

On that subject, does anyone know how many airworthy Gnats there are in the UK these days? Wikipedia says 4 - but it's wikipedia!

A Yellowjack and Red Arrows Gnat flying in formation with the current Reds would be well worth seeing.

It was nice when it happened at Biggin Hill some years ago, along with the Hunter in Blue Diamonds colours (i think)

[capercaillie]

Possible themes for next year:

- NATO 75th (this one surely an absolute stick-on - perhaps the show's main operational theme...?)
- Herc 70th
- Hawk 50th - perhaps coupled with the Red Arrows 60th
- F-16 50th
- D-Day 80th

and 50th anniversary of the Tornado as well - German, Italian and Saudi ones for one last hurrah!

[iainpeden]

Would probably add 60th season of the Red Arrows for 2024

Hmmm, after the embarrassing asymmetrical display on Saturday with only 7 jets, the well documented issues last year and, in my opinion, being a clear 4th best of the jet teams on display this weekend - and that’s without the Frecce,the Patrouille, The Suisse and the Black Eagles maybe 2024 is the season to get back to a nine and then disband.

Believe Red10 confirmed was going to be back to 9 aircraft next season.

I think the phrase was “hoped to.”

[Ryan.]

Does anyone know how much you save on the early bird tickets? Maybe I'm blind but I can't see anywhere where it states how much the tickets will be after he early bird time passes? Doe anyone know when the saving ends too?

[Hammerhead]

Looking forward to it, but I think I will only do Saturday and Sunday. As much as I enjoy the Friday, its too much to do all 3 days with the travelling involved. It just tires me too much.

Perhaps if you didn't stay so far away you wouldn't be so tired....
Plenty of accommodation closer than Bristol.

[Gt5500]

what is a viewing village PREMIUM grandstand seat as opposed to a normal seat. How is that garden tickets are more than grandstand tickets when grandstand users have the run of the garden anyway

Where did you see this? When I just looked the grandstand said it wasn't available yet. Thanks

[Skyflash]

Possible themes for next year:

- NATO 75th (this one surely an absolute stick-on - perhaps the show's main operational theme...?)
- Herc 70th
- Hawk 50th - perhaps coupled with the Red Arrows 60th
- F-16 50th
- D-Day 80th

and 50th anniversary of the Tornado as well - German, Italian and Saudi ones for one last hurrah!

Oooh yes, good shout. A Tonka/F-16 fest, and we can party like it's... 2004 or something.

[jasonT1981]

Looking forward to it, but I think I will only do Saturday and Sunday. As much as I enjoy the Friday, its too much to do all 3 days with the travelling involved. It just tires me too much.

Perhaps if you didn't stay so far away you wouldn't be so tired....
Plenty of accommodation closer than Bristol.

At an extra couple of hundred pounds sure. Hotel was around £300 and train was £18 a day return, I looked at Chippenham and Swindon and it was over £500. I'm not talking about just from Bristol, even to get to Bristol I have to take 3 buses and a plane lol. 3 days on top of that is too much, so will go back down to 2.