Who's Going To RIAT?

[Bisonhead]

I'm booking my ticket for the Saturday and am billy no mates.

Who is going and who fancies meeting up on the way/at Fairford.

I am leaving from Alton, hants and intend to get there nice and early, leaving after the flying. Anyone want to join me?

[Bisonhead]

AlexIT said:

Just planning to fly over with my son (and leave the wife at work!).
I think to arrive on the Thursday on the evening, have a walk around to see some stuff close-up on Friday and enjoy the full Saturday.

I was just trying to work out if it's worth getting a grandstand ticket for Saturday (my son is 7), any suggestion would be appreciated!

I cant help you afraid, I only want to see them flying!

I would have loved to have done this with my dad though. A day up close and a day watching them in action. As long as you have ear defenders, I was a wuss back then

[Bisonhead]

Bump.

Just booked my ticket for Saturday. Anyone else made plans yet?

[Bisonhead]

As sad as it sounds, I haven't been this excited about an airshow in years. I miss the noise, the smell and the sight of it all.
Looking forward to seeing the f35 although, from what I've heard, it isn't the most amazing of jets when displaying.
Bring back the harrier!

[Bisonhead]

Yertis said:

knight said:

Saying that I've just looked it up and my earliest airshow memory is the 25th anniversary Hercules lineup in 1979

Noob...

That said, a chap who works for me considers me a noob for having first been in '76 - he's been to every IAT/RIAT, plus the other shows the IAT team have done, since the North Weald days.

Good Lord Sir, you are an old fart!

[Bisonhead]

Almost at the big day now. Anyone fancy an early morning convoy from the east?

[Bisonhead]

onyx39 said:

AlexIT said:

Booked flight and hotel!
I'll be there on Friday and Saturday.

Unlike the F35

Is that confirmed then? There have been no updates from the RIAT website

[Bisonhead]

Has the Harrier been confirmed at Farnborough?

[Bisonhead]

My, my. What a circus. I think there will be a lot of disappointed people at the show if the F35 isnt there...me included

[Bisonhead]

NormalWisdom said:

fatboy69 said:

My boss for this weekend is currently 'on site' at Fairford.

She been told that the F35's have been pulled whilst at least one, & probably two, B52's will be on the ground as a static display.

However no one really knows as this is only what she has been told today.

As she is ex RAF flight crew she does probably know people on site who wouldn't feed her any bull st!

This is probably closest. USAF pulled most air display participation at the start of the year (budgets & stuff). I think they realise there will be disappointment at the no-show of F35 and are looking to appease by chucking a few statics in

Yeah, cause its just the same...

[Bisonhead]

y2blade said:

NormalWisdom said:

Well I have just got wind of a rumour that there are 4 F35s FFD bound as I type. Will try to check validity as I heard elsewhere a final decision was to be made today....

ttter:

F-35 Lightning II ?@thef35 6m
As the gov't teams work to return the #F35 safely to flight, we are continuing our #RIAT2014 & #FIA14 media events as planned.

F-35 Lightning II ?@thef35 31s
Safety is our #1 concern. We will support @USMCnews & our other #F35 partners' return to flight once the DoD determines it's safe. #RIAT2014

Brazilians hopes and dreams dashed last night, now ours...FML!

Hopefully the F16 gathering and SU-22s will make up for it, still very disappointing though considering Farnborough have the Harrier AND Vulcan

[Bisonhead]

NormalWisdom said:

ttter Link

https://twitter.com/thef35

Still nothing confirmed or otherwise...very frustrating

[Bisonhead]

y2blade said:

Bisonhead said:

NormalWisdom said:

ttter Link

https://twitter.com/thef35

Still nothing confirmed or otherwise...very frustrating

F-35 Lightning II @thef35 · 2m
We are about 60% through our #F35 flight test program. We are on track to complete 2B software testing in 2014. #RIAT2014

Reading all of this morning's tweets it is fairly obvious it won't be flying at airshows anytime soon
GUTTED.

I hope i'm wrong, was really looking forward to seeing it at Farnborough....oh well the Typhoon flight program kicks ass anyway

Why dont they just say as much then and get it over with. Its like death by a thousand cuts!

Did you just see the Typhoon over Farnborough?

[Bisonhead]

y2blade said:

I keep hearing interesting stuff from my office (in Andover) but as of yet I've not got to a window (in the right direction) quick enough

Andover?! bloody hell!

[Bisonhead]

Thats that then! I wonder what they will chuck up instead...any more on the rumour around XH558?

[Bisonhead]

Have to agree with that sentiment...seems a bit idiotic to not invite XH558 given how big the airshow is and how finite our time with the Vulcan is as well.

[Bisonhead]

OK, I was hoping to meet some of you guys on the way there or onsite, so here goes.

I will be leaving Alton between 0600 and 0630, heading up the A34/M4. If anyone fancies a convoy or meeting up on route PM and we can get something arranged. I will be trying to find a spot as close to the centreline as possible and plan on catching as much of the display as possible too. Again, if anyone fancies meeting up then PM me. I hope to see some of you there! If not, enjoy!

[Bisonhead]

mcdjl said:

You planning on staying there all day? I'll be travelling down from the north so no convoy, but may try to find you to watch some planes.

PMd