Royal International Air Tattoo 2017 Discussion Thread

[bizfreeq]

Unfortunately the world is full of people like that who sit in their armchair in front of their computer and complain and bitch about the airshow ''not being this and not being that'' or ''they should get this or them and shouldn't get so and so because they are boring'' but you don't see any of them volunteering their assistance or actually getting involved in airshows. It is something that will never go away so I guess they should just be ignored by the entusiast and professional alike. And before I get loads of abuse, I am all for those that have a valid constructive critism as that can be just as much use as praise.

[James Cutting]

Unfortunately the world is full of people like that who sit in their armchair in front of their computer and complain and bitch about the airshow ''not being this and not being that'' or ''they should get this or them and shouldn't get so and so because they are boring'' but you don't see any of them volunteering their assistance or actually getting involved in airshows. It is something that will never go away so I guess they should just be ignored by the entusiast and professional alike. And before I get loads of abuse, I am all for those that have a valid constructive critism as that can be just as much use as praise.

Hit the nail on the head there!! I have seen so many of these people the last 2 years. They moan and moan and moan, but still spend hundreds to get to the show and watch it. Don't have time for these people to be honest. Such a shame the RIAT team has had to make a statement about people's comments.

[plmc135]

And we have not even reached the stage yet with all the moans that will appear after the event. Some people will never be happy.

[rh226]

I think that we ought to be extremely grateful that an outstanding show in world terms is held on UK soil. The organisers do their utmost to obtain interesting aircraft from varied countries for this and, indeed, the participating air arms must always be thanked for their willingness to come.

We, as enthusiasts, should not be wailing about what is not coming, but enthusing about what the participating nations have been able to release to us outside of their operational commitments.

[wezgulf3]

Oh wow!!!

[Gary]

A rare civilian static item is confirmed this week in the shape of an A-4N Skyhawk! Discovery Air Defence will be supplying an example from its fleet of jets for the static line up on Saturday and Sunday. Elsewhere confirmations come from a Piaggio R166C, deHavilland Chipmunk and Hawker Hunter from HHA based at RAF Scampton. 

The USAF Heritage Flight is updated with the announcement that P-51B 'Berlin Express' will now be taking part in the display alongside the USAF F-22! The aircraft is currently on its journey from Texas to the UK! See our Facebook page for a link to track the progress. Previously mentioned P-51D 'Frenesi' will no longer be flying the Heritage Flight.

The Belgian Air Component confirms an additional static F-16AM Fighting Falcon for static display. 

The RAF adds more weight to the static park with another A400M Atlas C.1 and a second Tornado GR.4.

Belgian Air Component
F-16AM 1 Sqn Fighter (Static)

Civvy
A-4N Skyhawk Discovery Air Services Fighter (Static)
DHC-1 Chipmunk Redhill Tailwheel Flying Club General Aviation (Static)
Hunter Mk.58 Hawker Hunter Aviation Fighter (Static)
P-51B 'Berlin Express' Dan Friedkin Fighter (Flying)
Piaggio R166C I Fenicotteri General Aviation (Static)

Royal Air Force
A400M Atlas C.1 70 Sqn Tactical Transport (Static)
Tornado GR.4 12 (B) Sqn Ground Attack (Static)

Happy Day's been a while since I saw a A-4

[James Cutting]

Wonder if it will be a Pink GR4...

[Dan214sqn]

An awful lot of sense there ... in this day and age when airforces are all smaller...

I think that we ought to be extremely grateful that an outstanding show in world terms is held on UK soil. The organisers do their utmost to obtain interesting aircraft from varied countries for this and, indeed, the participating air arms must always be thanked for their willingness to come.

We, as enthusiasts, should not be wailing about what is not coming, but enthusing about what the participating nations have been able to release to us outside of their operational commitments.

[Gary]

Wonder if it will be a Pink GR4...

That will depend if they fly it on a sortie in the morning and break it , like they have done with specials in the past. The last time was a couple of years ago, one of the specials (31 Sqn from memory?) took the RHAG at Marham just before it was due at Fairford for the show. As the Granby jet destined for RTP it will be used a lot between now and it's last flight. Usually 2 or 3 flights a day if serviceable.

[James Cutting]

Haha I wouldn't be surprised!

And now we see people absolutely ripping into RIAT for this update, slating it because of it being mainly being civil. Really can not please anyone can you.

[Supra]

From RIAT's Facebook page:
Such a shame that there have been people making disrespectful comments, you really cannot win with some people. It's already looking like a fantastic show this year - certainly some competition for last years. 2 weeks to go!!

I can appreciate where you're all coming from & understand your viewpoint. This is a discussion platform for members to air their feelings, good or bad & others to add theirs or counter the prior comments. Clearly there is sometimes disappointment & criticism levelled at the event participants, but I struggle to believe these potential participants are influenced in anyway by the negativity of a forum-poster!
As stated above, the participation of an Air Arm, the airframe/s sent & the extent of participation are decided months/years ahead, the real risk is technical or operational changes forcing late cancellation. Personally I think we are fortunate to have this premiere event in the UK. & long may it continue in any form, even reduced if necessary. I don't do Faceache or Twatter, as they're tooo bitchy, so take the following perhaps as an example of what you refer to?
Billy Nobody posts " I can't understand why XYZ Air Force is sending a single Whizzyjet all the way to Fairford, then putting-it in static while 2 Aircrew & 18 Groundcrew spend the weekend rat-arsed! I saw it fly in XYZ three years ago & it's display was sheite anyway."
Upon seeing that, you think they may cancel? May I suggest that if that Post was seen by anybody from XYZ & has any subsequent bearing or repercussions, that could just as likely be positive? Resulting in the professional desire to be seen to 'up their game' to the bar set by other Air Arms?
I find it increasingly difficult to understand why we worry so much about 'words' affecting third party feelings whilst actually physically beating the sheite out of others around the world, double standards or what?
PS:- Great update, especially 'Heinemann's Hot-Rod' ! (A4 for the Av-sprogs!)

[SallyBjnr]

Looks like we've got another F-4E added with this update as 2 are now down, I'm sure it was 1 a few days ago?!

[iainpeden]

Looks like we've got another F-4E added with this update as 2 are now down, I'm sure it was 1 a few days ago?!

I was always under the impression it was 2 in the first place - but I'll certainly not moan if another one's been added.
This is certainly shaping up to be an excellent event in the modern era of air shows (budgets, smaller air arms, military a/c actually being used for what they were designed rather than "just" being a deterrant) so well done to the team setting it all up.

[Gary]

It was originally 2 F-4E's announced. They've just split them and gave each aircraft an individual line. Same has happened for the F-15Cs from LN and F-16s from Spang, French Alpha & RAF Typhoon

[Blackcat1]

A4 very nice! Only ever seen 1 and that was many years ago.

[Blackcat1]

Hope Pinky makes it, never seen her close up before but have seen her 5 times now at low level so i can't grumble ;-)

[James Cutting]

Someone shared their RIAT email - Granby jet confirmed for RIAT

[Blackcat1]

Awesome!!

[POL]

Someone shared their RIAT email - Granby jet confirmed for RIAT

Odd - according to Tom (RIAT Air Ops) on UKAR, it's only the intent that the Granby special will be attending, rather than it's confirmed that it will. Not sure why an email from DBH would state differently?

[jasonT1981]

I read it as confirmed that they intend to send Pinky for the static, as long as nothing happens between now and then.