R.I.A.T. 2020

[Trevatanus]

Looking like a good show again.
Patrouille De Suisse have just confirmed along with Swiss F18.
They are hopeful of getting RAF F35 and P8, as well as the Spanish Matador (Harrier) again.
As they had the Bristol Sycamore in 2018, I am hoping they will also have the Wessex and Whirlwind that are back on the circuit again.

[PeterGadsby]

Used to enjoy going, but the photographers with massive cameras getting in the way of everyone put me off, so don't go anymore.

- Pete

[tangerine_sedge]

PeterGadsby said:

Used to enjoy going, but the photographers with massive cameras getting in the way of everyone put me off, so don't go anymore.

- Pete

I'm one of those photographers and I totally agree with you. It's all passive aggressive territorial elbows and bagging the best shots, it's just no fun, and the reason I've not been for several years.

[PeterGadsby]

tangerine_sedge said:

I'm one of those photographers and I totally agree with you. It's all passive aggressive territorial elbows and bagging the best shots, it's just no fun, and the reason I've not been for several years.

What actually happened was, when my children were small (circa 6-7 years old) they couldn't see so went to the front whilst we were at the back... The said photographers got upset and swore at them, which kind of ruined the day for us :-(

- Pete

[Teddy Lop]

tangerine_sedge said:

I'm one of those photographers and I totally agree with you. It's all passive aggressive territorial elbows and bagging the best shots, it's just no fun, and the reason I've not been for several years.

it does get very busy, especially when most of the viewing area in pay-extra-for-enclosure-only. I toy with going as I'd love to see especially the variety of fast jets they get but the crowds, traffic jams getting in/out on top of a long day is more than I care to bother with these days.. How well do the shuttle busses work?

[ceesvdelst]

I have experienced the same sort of abject crassness and snobbery at many things like this, and it is why i do not attend anymore. Gigs, race meetings, all sorts.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to airshows when they were in their prime in the 80's and 90's.

I do miss the noise and the sights, but I was lucky enough to see twice as much at one show than you would see at a modern RIAT.

Plus without all the step laddered cretins and morons. They totally ruin it for vast swathes of people.

[The Brummie]

ceesvdelst said:

I have experienced the same sort of abject crassness and snobbery at many things like this, and it is why i do not attend anymore. Gigs, race meetings, all sorts.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to airshows when they were in their prime in the 80's and 90's.

I do miss the noise and the sights, but I was lucky enough to see twice as much at one show than you would see at a modern RIAT.

Plus without all the step laddered cretins and morons. They totally ruin it for vast swathes of people.

Ladders are, thankfully, banned at RIAT.

Sadly the same cannot be said for the willy wavers with their big lenses - the sort of idiots who get irritated if anyone stands within 3/4 feet of them or, worse, a small child tries to get to the front of the crowd line.

Cretins. All of them.

[ceesvdelst]

I remember once at a race meeting a guy having a rather sad up row with a press snapper, the press guy was at an action spot, and the guy behind the fence was properly having a go at him for being in the way of his clean shots.

I tried to explain to him (this guy is working duh) , but he was so incensed, I quickly moved on and left him to it, later on talking to this press guy and saying what an arse he was, sadly he said it was quite common.

So people doing the same in public areas, I never move out of the way of unless I can, especially things like airshows, yes I get a few moans, but sorry, I have just as much right to be here as you, and I am actually watching what's going on, not stopping every few seconds to look down at my screen!

I quite enjoy the rumble a bit near fences, and have some excellent arguments ready just in case lol!

[Trevatanus]

PeterGadsby said:

tangerine_sedge said:

I'm one of those photographers and I totally agree with you. It's all passive aggressive territorial elbows and bagging the best shots, it's just no fun, and the reason I've not been for several years.

What actually happened was, when my children were small (circa 6-7 years old) they couldn't see so went to the front whilst we were at the back... The said photographers got upset and swore at them, which kind of ruined the day for us :-(

- Pete

On the flipside, at Abingdon last year, I spent an hour or so sitting at the fenceline before the show started, only to have a family barge in front of me, just as the show started, very much blocking my view... it works both ways.

[Yertis]

Unless you're obsessive about seeing aircraft on runways, one of the good things about RIAT – or any airshow – is that you only need to look up to see the action.

[aeropilot]

I think the problem with RIAT now, is thats its now pretty much the only show in town as regards big, noisy, fast n pointy things flying about, so all the anoraks and knobs are all massed into one place once per year, rather than being spread about over half a dozen or more events during the year and across the country.

I miss airshows, but, its just not worth it now, and at my age, I'll just stick with my memories of the good old days.

(just thought about it, and this year will be 20 years since last attending a RIAT, in terms of actually paying to go inside one, last one was the Cottesmore one in 2000!!)

[ceesvdelst]

So damn annoyed I missed Cotty, my only chance probably to see a Tu22M.

I spent hours watching there as a kid when TTTe was in its prime. And then off the Witters down the road

[RichGault]

I was on the end of the runway standing between the taxi way and runway at Cottesmore for the Backfire departure....still remember it being teeth rattling loud.

[GroundZero]

I thought instead of photos it was the video that was now in fashion?
People posting on youtube use their footage from the RIAT weekend as the base for the following 12 (and more) month's content on their 'channels'

Last time I was at RIAT was in 2016. Enjoyed it as the weather was good and got to see the F22 display which was the highlight of the day.
Was quite lucky because the F22 "broke down" mid-display on the Sunday show apparently.

If you are in to aircraft then RIAT is always a winner. I wouldn't let other's 'willy waving' spoil the show, just ignore the oversized large erect lenses, get a grandstand seat and enjoy the atmosphere and the planes.

[Trevatanus]

GroundZero said:

Last time I was at RIAT was in 2016. Enjoyed it as the weather was good and got to see the F22 display which was the highlight of the day.
Was quite lucky because the F22 "broke down" mid-display on the Sunday show apparently.

I was at RIAT looking after a security checkpoint, we used to see about 2 cars a day, so I had my camera with me to fill the time (sorry I have a Canon 100-400 lens ) and took the shot below.

Only "downside" of the day was when the BBMF displayed and landed and the pilot walked over for a chat and offered me a tour of the aircraft. which I declined as I could not leave my post
F22 Raptor displaying at RIAT 2017 by Jim Pritchard, on Flickr
BBMF Lanc at RAF Fairford under a moody sky by Jim Pritchard, on Flickr

[Trevatanus]

Unsurprisingly cancelled

[Zirconia]

Been expecting it.

[Eric Mc]

I expect Farnborough is next - not that many will notice.

[Eric Mc]

One of the easiest predictions I've ever made -

https://www.aero-mag.com/farnborough-airshow-2020-...

[MB140]

Yep we were briefed by our Wg Cmdr a few days ago that we wouldn’t be partaking in RIAT this year. It’s a cracking weekend for us aircrew. I don’t even mind answering some of the daft questions I get asked.

Such a shame and as said now Waddington, Cosford etc have all been cancelled it’s about the only big air show.