Royal International Air Tattoo 2022 - General Discussion Thread

[jasonT1981]

It's been a while since I seen the HF. But from Memory the F-22 in 2017 was Heritage flight, did a display with a P51 then broke away and did an apx 8 minute solo display.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

You would expect a solo display from them before or after the Heritage Flypasts as they would both be big star attractions especially the A-10.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Firstly, confirmation of another helicopter for the flying display programme! The Finnish Army make a welcome return to Fairford with their NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter. We will be asking if they are able send one of the airframes which has been painted in their experimental snow camouflage pattern, rather than their standard colours.

Great news from Lithuania, as they will bring two interesting aircraft for static display at RIAT 2022! We're excited to see their AS365 Dauphin for the first time, alongside their LET-410 transport aircraft which will make a welcome return after a lengthy hiatus.

Behind the scenes we continue discussions with a number of European Air Forces to establish what aircraft they may be able to send to RIAT 2022, with exciting possibilities for both the flying and static displays being discussed.
We are also in discussion with Joint Helicopter Command regarding aircraft participation at RIAT 2022, with a number of airframes provisionally allocated to us, including the Chinook Display. However, the formal ratification is still in process and we will bring you confirmations as soon as possible.

Finally, we have added 12 civilian aircraft to our static display line-up, the majority of which are ex-military training aircraft.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

US Army, Royal Airforce of Oman, German Airforce, Italian Airforce and Royal Netherlands Airforce all flashing yellow.

Columbia Airforce now not attending I wonder why?

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Finnish NH-90 will be cool if it arrives in that snow camouflage scheme

[Discodaz]

Another heli and a ton more statics.
Personally..not that impressed this week.

Daz

[red leader]

Agreed. That was a very bland update.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Not all updates are exciting sometimes they are a bit bland but after 3 years with no RIAT I am happy with whatever arrives.

Nice to see something else from Lithuania other than a C-27J Spartan.

[red leader]

Yes you're right. I guess after last week's it was always gonna be a hard act to follow.

[Flightech]

Another heli and a ton more statics.
Personally..not that impressed this week.

Daz

Yes, I agree, I'm sure everyone is thinking of the same thing. Seems to be like a helicopter show now.

I am hoping from May onwards we will be getting fast jets/flying confirmations in droves. Confirmations seem to have been very sketchy for last few weeks and it's mostly static updates

[Blackcat1]

I guess we were spoilt with participants in the 80s/90s , then again most of us were friends then

[Discodaz]

Another heli and a ton more statics.
Personally..not that impressed this week.

Daz

Yes, I agree, I'm sure everyone is thinking of the same thing. Seems to be like a helicopter show now.

I am hoping from May onwards we will be getting fast jets/flying confirmations in droves. Confirmations seem to have been very sketchy for last few weeks and it's mostly static updates

yeah,totally agree..we know a lot of nations aren't in a position to commit at the moment given the current situation but lets be perfectly candid about this, we all, if we are honest expect better from the air tattoo. that's not negativity, that's fact.at this stage in announcements we have usually had an update that gets us all excited.to date, from my personal point of view that's not yet happened. we have only got the usual acts plus a few other displays .

but, as someone quite rightly says, after no airshows for a couple of years, anything is better than nothing

Daz

[jasonT1981]

I probably would have been more excited if Germany wasn't already bringing an NH90 for flying however the Snow camo would be great.

I would say it's been anything but sketchy. Last week was absouletly fantastic and we've had a lot of cracking updates like the C130/Typhoon demo. Coming out on the other side of Covid, the support for RIAT has been fantastic and we still have at least 12 updates to go. (84 days)

Also with what's showing up as 'in discussion' there is the prospect for some great displays as well as those displays we all know about but haven't been confirmed as of yet.

Shows going to be just what we all need post-covid.

[capercaillie]

US Army, Royal Airforce of Oman, German Airforce, Italian Airforce and Royal Netherlands Airforce all flashing yellow.

Columbia Airforce now not attending I wonder why?

They never said they were? The trouble is a flashing yellow and everyone starts jumping on Kfirs will be coming and the Korean Black Eagles are already on the deck.

A first time UK visitor to a show is announced this week, and we have people saying the update is bland. Yet if we had the Finnish Hornet added (to two already on show in the air) people would be whooping, and as great a display as it is, its photographically incredibly bland.

Plenty of time for more to be added, remembering that a lot is committed at present on more pressing matters, and who knows nearer the time, some of those units may even be able to spare a frame for the weekend.

Now bring on those Ikarus, Tiger and Cherokee.

[Discodaz]

I probably would have been more excited if Germany wasn't already bringing an NH90 for flying however the Snow camo would be great.

I would say it's been anything but sketchy. Last week was absouletly fantastic and we've had a lot of cracking updates like the C130/Typhoon demo. Coming out on the other side of Covid, the support for RIAT has been fantastic and we still have at least 12 updates to go. (84 days)

Also with what's showing up as 'in discussion' there is the prospect for some great displays as well as those displays we all know about but haven't been confirmed as of yet.

Shows going to be just what we all need post-covid.

i agree with your last statement jason we do all need it i think. however, with ref to you mentioning what we know as self confirmed..we need to remember we here many "self confirmed" every year, not all always happen.

i suppose ultimately, it depends what your into..i like the fast jet action primerily so for me the updates to date havent been fantastic. thats not to say i dont have interest in other things.

im sure there is still plenty to come..it could be worse,Teesside airshow dont seem to have anything going other than the raf and the catalina..

daz

[Gripenjetphotos]

This is an interesting topic, and last week’s update is a great insight into current affairs. The Czech’s jet demo’s have been put on the ‘potential’ list but have to wait until they have final details regarding their current exercises in the Baltic’s. It is not RIAT’s fault that certain ‘fan favourites’ such as the solo jets may not make it over this year. That doesn’t put aside the fact that one uncommon, one semi-rare and one very rare aircraft were added to an already pumped up show so far, and it’s only April!

I for one am looking forward to this years show, regardless of the ratio of types that’ll be on show. This week’s update may not be of great joy to those hardcore jet fans, but I see it as an extra (double figured) boost to the static, and long may it continue, right up until the final update!

As an extra, big thanks to Lithuania for confirming two interesting types to Fairford that I will certainly ponder over on my walk through.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

US Army, Royal Airforce of Oman, German Airforce, Italian Airforce and Royal Netherlands Airforce all flashing yellow.

Columbia Airforce now not attending I wonder why?

They never said they were? The trouble is a flashing yellow and everyone starts jumping on Kfirs will be coming and the Korean Black Eagles are already on the deck.

A first time UK visitor to a show is announced this week, and we have people saying the update is bland. Yet if we had the Finnish Hornet added (to two already on show in the air) people would be whooping, and as great a display as it is, its photographically incredibly bland.

Plenty of time for more to be added, remembering that a lot is committed at present on more pressing matters, and who knows nearer the time, some of those units may even be able to spare a frame for the weekend.

Now bring on those Ikarus, Tiger and Cherokee.

I know they never said they were coming what I meant was I wonder why talks broke down as they were flashing yellow a few weeks ago, Shame as I was hoping for a Columbian C-130 as not seen one in the flesh before was hoping to tick it off my list.

[Vulture 01]

Just remember that as RIAT ends, Farnborough starts. In the past stuff planned for Farnborough went via Fairford. Bearing in mind all the foreign jets that had planned to come over for Cobra Warrior, PERHAPS one or two of those might come over for the two shows?

How many NATO forces now operate the F35?

After two years plus with no major military shows, whatever turns up will be a bonus!

In any event, as always, we'll know for sure on the day.

[verreli]

Just remember that as RIAT ends, Farnborough starts. In the past stuff planned for Farnborough went via Fairford. Bearing in mind all the foreign jets that had planned to come over for Cobra Warrior, PERHAPS one or two of those might come over for the two shows?

India planned to use CW22 to showcase the Tejas. It's also looking at the export market so, along with the JF-17 from Pakistan, why not? Unsure if Farnborough plan to display aircraft this year but RIAT, with the attendance of numerous senior foreign officials in a neutral environment, is as good a place as any to display their product.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Just remember that as RIAT ends, Farnborough starts. In the past stuff planned for Farnborough went via Fairford. Bearing in mind all the foreign jets that had planned to come over for Cobra Warrior, PERHAPS one or two of those might come over for the two shows?

How many NATO forces now operate the F35?

After two years plus with no major military shows, whatever turns up will be a bonus!

In any event, as always, we'll know for sure on the day.

A little search on Google came up with this.

Eight of the nine F-35 partner nations are members of NATO and the aircraft will be the backbone of future air operations.

Does not say what Countries though.