FRIAT - what is it and is it worth it?

[James Cutting]

Pretty sure it is! Got mine a couple months back there were loads of seats left. Yes, it is expensive - £50 per day it works out the cheapest ticket. But IMHO the best seats, fantastic enclosure and facilities make it well worth it!

[Gary]

Mach 1 and 2 always sold out, 3 did sometimes did. I’ve never noticed them pushing FRIAT before though.

Just had a quick rough count and if that seating plan is up to date still over 500 seats left

[FrankTSussex]

We also had the COAP photography workshop for FRIAT members this year, Possibly not everybody’s cup of tea I guess but maybe a sign of future add-ons for the FRIAT package.

[Harkins]

With just three weeks to go, I was looking at the FRIAT ticket page and at a glance it looked barely half sold. However, after a quick count, I got about 1954 seats in the stand with 1488 sold and 466 unsold. So nearly 80% sold out. And given that there was only the six day ticket option this year (formerly Mach 3) and the increased prices and that all bar two of the higher priced premium tickets have sold out, I imagine DBH will be quite happy overall. And perhaps a little bit of room for us to spread out in the stand too.

[Rob666]

Afternoon,

Recently received my FRIAT eticket, does this mean we won't be getting our passes this year as long as get in all I am not worried but jus wondered if anything had been communicated this year about this change.

Regards
Rob

[Hollowman]

Afternoon,

Recently received my FRIAT eticket, does this mean we won't be getting our passes this year as long as get in all I am not worried but jus wondered if anything had been communicated this year about this change.

Regards
Rob

I received my pass 3 days ago so you should be getting it soon. People who live abroad do not get their passes posted to them so they have to use the e-ticket to gain entry and pick up their passes from the Friat enclosure.

[iainpeden]

My pass arrived a few days ago; seat number is H78 and it would be good to put faces to (user) names.

[Rob666]

Afternoon,

Recently received my FRIAT eticket, does this mean we won't be getting our passes this year as long as get in all I am not worried but jus wondered if anything had been communicated this year about this change.

Regards
Rob

I received my pass 3 days ago so you should be getting it soon. People who live abroad do not get their passes posted to them so they have to use the e-ticket to gain entry and pick up their passes from the Friat enclosure.

Thanks for the info much appreciated.
Rob

[Rob666]

I know everyone is wondering, but pass turned up today.
Thanks
Rob

[iainpeden]

I know everyone is wondering, but pass turned up today.
Thanks
Rob

What’s your seat number I am in h78

[Gary]

I’m front row of the grandstand but can’t remember if the top of my head

If anyone wants to have a FC meet up, can try and arrange a time etc

[f14stumpy]

Hi, I understand where you park on the show days and where the dedicated entry point is for FRIAT, but where do you park and enter on the Thursday and Monday, is it the same?
First time in FRIAT and can't seem to find it on the website.

[James Cutting]

I think it is still the same, Blue Car Park, blue entry point, it was for departures in 2019 assuming the same for arrivals on the Thursday.

Not done Thursday arrivals, and often hear how busy both ends can be so thinking to play it safe in the middle

[f14stumpy]

Thank you James. Much appreciated.

[RedsSnapper]

Hi, I understand where you park on the show days and where the dedicated entry point is for FRIAT, but where do you park and enter on the Thursday and Monday, is it the same?
First time in FRIAT and can't seem to find it on the website.

We commented the same - all the info for FRIAT is very geared up to assuming that everyone has done it before and knows this sort of thing. There was no explanation about tomorrow either - a lot more info about the Park & View setup would have been helpful. It does feel ever so slightly like newbies to "the club" are left to feel slightly like outsiders. (And it's a lot of money to cough up to be made to feel like that, frankly!)

[MiG_Eater]

For me FRIAT is the only way to do the airshow. I've been doing it since I was a child, for well over twenty years.

It might seem a bit daunting at first, but the FRIAT volunteers (like all RIAT volunteers) are extremely helpful and friendly, and although there is a real focus on photography, i'm not an obsessive photographer and regularly sit and watch the displays from the stand without taking pictures.

Although its a fair amount of money to drop at once, I think for a six day event which is - in my opinion - the best of its kind anywhere on the planet, its really not overpriced.

See you tomorrow!

[Ajax55]

Thanks for all the comments - I've tried a few of the options available in the past (grandstand, viewing village, Pimms bar etc) but none really work for me as I'm usually on my own and if I find a good table at say the Pimms viewing area I have to grab my gear and leave it if I want food or the loo... I can't see any value from FRIAT.

I'm photography driven and find the statics / people watching* more interesting than the flying - yes I'd love to get a shot of something fast taking off in the wet as it tucks up its wheels in the spray but I won't stand rooted in one spot all day 'just in case'. For this reason I usually go at least on two days (if I can arrange accomodation in the area) but I'm now retired and can't afford to spend £1000 for a long weekend, so its a 180 mile round trip on Sat and Sun, I have a tickets for Friday but that looks to be a wash out and 3 x 180 is a bit too much.

* I used to curse the annoying reggie spotters / pushchair brigade getting in the way or loitering in my shots but now I take photos of them instead. Missed a great chance last year - porky looking pie eating reggie spotter with notepad and ladder over shoulder stops to take number of the P8 Poseidon. Pan back to see 20 odd photographers standing way back with wide angle lenses to get the whole thing in during a rare lucky gap in the the passing foot traffic. Completely oblivious he stops to take the number, which was fine, but instead of quickly clearing the shot he just stood there picking his nose. He jumped when I shouted 'Oi' and he turned to find 20 lenses pointing at him. I was laughing so much I missed the shot....

[sneezy24]

I'm considering doing FRIAT next year, probably Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, and Monday.

I assume the price for 6 days includes admission as well as the seat and other facilities? Or is FRIAT additional to admission.

Part of my theory is that if the weather looks rubbish on Saturday, at least I can go on Sunday!

[Gary]

Yep it does, FRIAT tickets will go in general sale later in the year. Current member will get the chance to renew first

[sneezy24]

Thanks!

Are the 'plus' seats higher in the grandstand?